Pick-up Artist at the Grocery Store

Today I took a quick trip up to our local grocery store to pick-up some last minute items to get ready for our trip back home to Detroit (and to get my 4pm fix at the Starbucks in the store). In the self check-out aisle, I saw two young girls signing to one another. So, naturally, I decided to get in on the conversation!

I learned that they were twin sisters, one was hearing and the other deaf. They are 16, babysit TOGETHER, AND THEY LIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. I knew there was another family with a deaf child in our town, but just haven't been able to make the connection.

JACKPOT!

So, in addition to picking up snacks for the road, I also managed to pick-up some new babysitters. Who are fluent in ASL. What a great opportunity for Christian to work on his signing skills, and to be around a deaf teen. And what a great opportunity for Chuck and I to FINALLY get some dates in!

TenPenh for the 3-0

At the end of this month, I turn the big 3-0. I've been a bit apprehensive about this birthday. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about my birthday. But that number....it isn't really sitting well with me. I remember sitting in a high school religion class with one of my classmates playing the "Where Will We Be" game. By 30, I wanted to be married, have kids, and be an attorney. I think I did pretty well, with two out of the three wishes granted.

My closest girlfriends (well, one was there in spirit, she lives in Delaware) took me out for an AMAZING dinner last night at TenPenh for my birthday celebration, and they completely spoiled me. They managed to get the menu personalized for me, had the Chef sign it, and gifted me with a STUNNING piece of jewelry. I also am going to one of my favorite band's shows in a week. It's so amazing to think that I've known 3 of the 4 of my besties since I was 17. We've watched eachother go through so many different transitions in our life. They've always been there for me, and have rallied together and provided me with the most amazing support and strength during this journey with Christian. I've always said that I wouldn't have been able to get through it all without them.

The girls and I at dinner

The Personalized Menu


My Bling!

If Your Happy And You Know It...

Jump up and down and give your little boy a HIGH FIVE!

Yeah, that's what I did today. Our fabulous nanny who helps me two days a week while I work from home was here today. She was singing "If Your Happy And You Know It" to the monkey. I was in my room, getting ready to shower (at 4pm...ah, the life of a Mom), and all of the sudden, I heard:

"AP-EE! AP-EE! AP-EE"

I LOVE IT! It seems like everyday he's picking up new words. I've noticed since his implant that he is also ALOT more responsive to music and songs. He likes to sing-along and bop up and down and dance.

I feel so blessed being able to witness these small miracles everyday.

I'll Be Loving You Forever (Even When I'm Pushing 30)

Going along with the "Tina Time" theme today, I thought I would share THE.BEST.NEWS.EVER.



Yes, they are getting back together. Yes, I am serious that I love them. Yes, I will pay top dollar to go see them and scream "I love you Joey Joe". And yes, I still have all of their birthdays memorized.

love it.

St. Patrick's Day Recap...

I'm not Irish, but I did go to The Catholic University of America, where 99% of the student population had a list name that started with a Mc or O'. I traded in my Big Fat Greek heritage to become O'Scarmeas for a day, and partied with my classmates. Post-college, we would mark St. Patrick's Day by celebrating Opening Weekend at The Starboard in Dewey Beach, DE. On the days St. Patty's would fall on work day, we all leave work just a bit early to meet up at The 4 P's in the old neighborhood.

Now that I have my own little leprechaun(who actually IS Irish), I knew that St. Patrick's Day would be a bit more subdued. That is, until by some miracle, I was able to find a sitter and have Chuck take Christian to an appointment at Hopkins so I could attend KEGS AND EGGS. Nothing like getting up at 5:30am to go drinking with some of my friends and see some good bands. It was a much needed break, and MAD PROPS go to my husband for taking one for the team. Check out a recap and some pics here

Spring Fever

Yep. It's official. I have Spring Fever. I've been snatching up anything and everything I can madras. I've dug out my favorite flip-flops, found my white cardigan, and started changing over my closet into my spring clothes.

Yet, it's only 34 degrees today.

I think my favorite spring find was this new hearing aid clip for Christian. I think the crab is perfect for my prepster!

Getting Ready for the Hook-up!

If you would've asked me last year if I wanted an FM system for my kid, I would've looked you in the eyes and asked you why you were being so cheap, especially since iPods are quite affordable these days. I mean, with XM Radio and Sirius, why do you need an FM System?

Now, one year later, the term FM System has nothing to do with boom-boxes, and little clock radios. Today, an FM System is just one more way for Christian to get more access to language, and I am BEYOND excited to get one for him!

We started discussing the possibility of an FM System with our EI team about a month ago. I learned alot about the use of these systems--I knew they were used in schools for years, but in MY house. How COOL! Now that the monkey is more than on the move, and is very close to walking (i.e. running away from Mommy), I know the days of speaking to him 6 inches from his face all day are all but gone. Using an FM system in our house will help him hear me when his back is turned (or when he is race crawling away from me).

We found out that with a little modification, and a purchase of some adapters, we could hook Christian up to our very own system in the coming up weeks. This is just another way for us to expose him to as much spoken language as possible. To think that my deaf kid might be able to OVERHEAR me talking while his back is turned to me in another room? AWESOME! To think that he actually might OVERHEAR me as I accidently drop the F-Bomb....terrifying. I'm working on that....

Because Every Mom Needs a Little "Fabulous" in their life...

I refuse to let Cheerios take over my kitchen...and yes, that is Waterford.