Seems like one step forward and two steps back...

So Aislinn has been doing great without needing the extra oxygen, we got rid of all the equipment last week. I took her back to the E.N.T specialist to see if her ears were big enough yet to retest her hearing and found out that there was still fluid in them. So 2 days ago they did surgery to put tubes in her ears, drain the fluid, and retest her hearing. It has seemed like she was hearing almost everything these last several months so we were very hopeful, but it was not true. Aislinn has a 60% hearing loss and needs hearing aids in both ears! I knew this was certainly a possibility but it was devastating none the less. We were told that the average conversation is 60 decibals, she can hear that but it's muffled. The lowest she hears at all is about 50db. I know she will do just fine with hearing aids but I really wish she didn't have to need them. She has been through so much already, I wish just one thing would go like it's supposed to. I'm afraid to find out how much the hearing aids are going to cost as well, even though our insurance will cover up to $1000 per ear. We will get all of that information at our follow-up appt on June 8th. So anyway, that is our latest challenge. I hope everyone is doing well.

Aislinn Maria 6/13/10 IUGR and T21 (PDA repaired 2/23/11)

Hoping for baby #2

So sorry you have yet another hurdle to get over - but you are doing it so well.  Keep up your great attitude - you will be such a great example to your dd and so many others in this way.  I have a friend whos dd has hearing aides - she is the sweetest little girl.  I truly love her.  She is kind to everyone and just a blessing to everyone she meets.  She does so well with them.  Please don't let it get you too down.  The technology is so good these days, they are small and really improve people's quality of life.  Praying for you!

Mindy

Thank you Mindy for the words of encouragement. We went for our follow-up appt today, they made the ear molds and we get the hearing aids in 2 weeks. They showed me what they will be using and they are pretty small and come in several different colors. I asked for the baby pink ones. They also do the ear molds in different colors, with sparkles or swirls. I looked through their book and chose pink cats eye ear molds ( clear with pink through the middle, like a marble ). My husband and I are also going to be learning sign language so we can teach it to Aislinn, even though she will have the hearing aids. Although even if she didn't have a hearing problem I would still be learning sign language and would want her to learn. It will be a process for all of us but we will get through it.

On a different note, Aislinn has her first tooth!!! Well sort of, lol, it's about 1/4 of the way out. I can't believe she will be 1 on the 13th, it went by way too fast! I hope everyone is doing good. Take care.

Aislinn Maria 6/13/10 IUGR and T21 (PDA repaired 2/23/11)

Hoping for baby #2

What you picked out sounds so cute - it's so nice that we live in a day and age when glasses, hearing aids, etc. can be stylish and cute.  We do some simple sign language with our babies too.  I think it is good for them to learn to communicate at some level as early as possible. 

Kade had done his first sign independently just this week.  I was so proud.  He has at least the beginnings of 4 teeth - I love those 2 little bottom ones - so cute.  And he is walking all over the place now - too early for my liking.  One of my other kiddos walked at 10ish months too - ugh!  And then one didn't walk until 16/17 months.  I can say from experience - all babies are different!  Enjoy her!  Keep on doing all the great things you are already doing for her!  Your an inspiration to me - and a very good mom indeed!

Mindy

I wanted to get back to you Mindy, sorry it has taken me so long but our computer was messed up for a while. We got her hearing aids and she does really great with them until she "finds" them. lol Once she touches one, it's all over, we can't keep them on her. She pulls them off and puts them in her mouth! Which scares me since they are small enough to fit in her mouth. Anyway I have a picture of one of them here, they are really cute.

Sorry for a late reply - I am just now figuring how to get in here - maybe everyone is gone from the site by now!?  Anyway, the hearing aids are precious!  A perfect choice for your sweet baby girl I think.  I hope she is gettin gused to them by now!  Thanks for sharing!