My Gorgeous Girl's Journey to Communicating

Wow what was that....

2010-09-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

These past coupls of weeks really Mary's speech has really come on. I am very impressed not so much with the sounds she is making but the fact she is now making the effort to produce sounds. She will make a good stab at most words I ask her to say. For example when she wants butter on her bread instead of cheese I will ask her to say butter. It comes out "uu-uuh". I can get her to say the "B" but she still struggles with blending sounds. Still as I said she is trying. Eveyday things become clearer. And now that she is tuned into words she will learn quickly and improve quickly.

Last Thursday she was being a bit of a pickle. What else?! She had been climbing in a den we had made and lost her ears. One of the other kids found "Flower" but even after tidying up all the blankets and cushions we could not find Bird. Mary by this point was sat at the table wearing Flower and so I asked her verbally where Bird was. She clear as day said "Don't know!" Was totally fabulous.

Tonight she was lying in bed, without ears, and we were having a bit of a play and a chat. Then she signals for me to put my ear near her mouth. She whispered into my ear. Was so funny. I whispered into her ear tickling it. She thought that was hilarious. She definitley got a sense of humour. She will also say words without her ears.

Words:
awa (like a cockney Water)- water
oth- cloth
eeeeese- please
oa (oh)- toast
dont know
mama- mummy
taata - Katy
at- cat
ater- grater
go- go
ee veeee- TV

Big Girl Turn 4

2010-06-21T02:05:00.000-07:00

Should have done this a week ago but well....

Mary Turned 4 on the 15 June. We had a big party in the hosue with 15 children in total in attendance. Mostly just a disco type affair, musical bumps and statues, make a sword or a crown, pass the parcel, a little picnic and lots of noise. Mary had a fabulous time. There was one minor strop when midway throught the party she wanted the TV one. But well what is a party without the strop. Looking at all the children you would not have picked Mary out. She had 2 of her Deaf friends in attendance too. They all mixed in and the other children were al happy to play.

Washing Machines and Cars

2010-06-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, One of the most important dates in the calendar for the Shaw family, namely the birthday of Big Sister Katy, we were getting ready to go to Daddy's house. I was putting washing in the machine and Mary was helping. Then I notice she is making the "pshhhttttt" sound exactly as the water sounds when it first enters the machine. Her copying sounds is really coming on.

Once the washing had been sorted I then proceeded to get the girls and all their things ready. Mary kept insisting we were going by bike. I have purchased her a tagalong for my bike which she thinks is absolutely fabulous. So we have to cycle everywhere. Alas though Daddy's house is about 2 miles away and I have not yet plucked up the courage to do more than the school run and to the local shop. Not to mention Katy would have a epileptic fit if i suggested cycling so far and where would we put all the stuff! So as I was putting Mary's shoes on, she is avidly signing "bicycle" I say to her "No we are going in the car. The car." Pleasee note My hands were busy and so I was talking. I was also talking down not looking at her face. She immediately signs "car". So she heard and understood and showed she understood. Well done Mary. Then when we get in the car particularly if she is in the front she makes all the actions as if switching on and driving the car and the "rmmmmmm" noise of the engine.

Another step forward is that now we say "Shoooos offfff" whenever we come in the house and I ask all the kids to take their shoes and coats off. Mary thinks it is sufficient to say this and stick her foot up at me. But we are making progress. She does take her "shooooos offf" when the mood takes her.

Words/Sounds

Pssssshhhhhhtttt - water noise going into washing machine
Rmmmmmmmm - car
Shhhoooos offff - Shoes off

Aeroplanes, Trains and Wool

2010-05-12T11:54:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday after feeling Mary was more deaf than she needed to be we had a tuning appointment at teh Emmeline. She performed brilliantly for the hearing test. I think we are finally grasping the idea of it all. She heard very well at 30Db in the middle frequencies but you could see her struggling to hear 35-40Db in the higher and lower frequencies. She also did each ear seprately which we have been unable to do previously. Anyway they turned her up and she is much more responsive and seems to want the ears on even more. She also likes them on in the car now.

Over the weekend she listened intently to Twinkle Twinkle and even sang "up above". Just the once but it was very clear.

Today when we got back from school drop off, her sister had gone for a hospital appointment of her own and this upset Mary greatly. She knows all about hospitals. Anyway she signed her sister's sign name and said "aty". For Katy! I do believe she understood where Katy was and was concerned for her.

Over the weekend I instigated a game of aeroplanes and trains and boats using the sounds from her SALT game, to try and get her to eat her protein. Still struggling with that a little but it is getting there. Anyway tonight she initiated the game herself. Going "aaaaaa" for the plane and "chooo choooo" for the train. She is so clever. And coming along so quickly now. She is signing more and more and pointing out things. Like the dog walking past the park yesterday. Was a distraction to me as she was being told off at the time for pushing another little girl over. But hey she pointed to the dog and signed dog.

Now to the wool you cry... Well she unravelled my ball of wool all over the lounge floor. I started to try and find the end so I can wind it up again and she started to "help". The last thing I needed. Anyway I signed "No" and said "No" both very firmly. After the 3rd time I really showed my anger. She did not like this at all so took herself upstairs for a time. Even these moments are good, showing she is understanding that she cannot do everything she wants to do. We did make up when she came back down because well, Tom and Jerry were on the telly.

What a wonderful day with Mary. She is even enjoying her homework these days.

She listens to music...

2010-05-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

Here I am tidying up after dinner and Mary is fiddling with my computer. She wants the media player on. We liked "We Built this City", I had to stop and dance to it. She was not too keen on the Blues Brothers. Now we like the drum beat of Africa, Toto.

She is making more vocalisations and I swear she said Helllo Mum this morning, while lying in her bed. Not repeated so cannot be sure.

We have probably sorted out her schooling. Hopefully she will be dual placed. Who knows will let you all know in time. She will hopefully start January 2011. OOO my girl is growing up.

Banana

2010-03-11T05:11:00.001-08:00

I must record this cos it is so fab. I have been working on the first letter sounds of words of things Mary is really interested in. She had been watching and trying to copy. Well one thing she lilked was "B" so Banana got the full treatment and now she says "Bababa" or somtimes the "n" comes in and she says "Banaba". So fab.

New spoken word
Banana _ "Babana"

Other words
Up
Mum
Byebye
Round

Booo (k) Please!

2010-03-01T02:28:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday evening 24 February 2010, I was rushing out to sign class and my good friend was babysitting the two girls. For ease of my friend's life I thought to put Mary in bed for her. She can be a monkey at bedtime. I laid mary on her bed covered her up. gave her some milk. When she finished her milk I waved bye and made to go. She signed to me "book" and said "Booo plea". What could I do? My clever girl had asked for using voice and sign for a book. So I read her a story. Made me late for sign but well Mary is so clever and needs her rewards when she asks for things so nicely.

New Words:
Booo - Book.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

2010-03-01T02:23:00.000-08:00

This really should have been two posts but I forgot!
A few nights ago I was signing Mary's favourite lullaby "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" she joined in with both the signs and vocalisations and we had a lovely time.

Then last night she went to bed with her processors still on. After her milk she turned over and faced her wall. I thought while she could hear I would sing Twinkle Twinkle to her which I did. No signing and Mary was facing the wrong way in the dark. After the first couple of lines Mary turned to me and did the "Twinkle Twinkle" signs for the start of the song. I was so proud. Not only did she hear me but she understood the sound and showed me that she had understood. She then turned back. I finished the song and left her to go to sleep. Wow!

Alphabet Ice Cream

2010-03-01T02:19:00.000-08:00

Mary's new favourite book is Alphabet Ice cream. This is a very simple and easy to see alphabet book. The inside of the fron cover has the two characters Sue and Nick waving, Mary likes to wave back. We have then gone through the alphabet signing the letters and the pictures and saying the words and sounds. She has really enjoyed it. Has been her half term book. And I have ordered the other books in the series from the library as mary has been pointing at their pictures on the back cover. The last word in the book is a big ZOOM!! and I have to use my hand th hold Mary's finger and trace over the letters including the !! at the end. I get in trouble if we dont trace the !! at the end. So nice she is enjoying her books.

Its working!!

2010-02-16T12:33:00.000-08:00

Tis half term week so Mary is not attending her usual schooling sessions.
I think she is getting a little bored.
After lunch today she was sat on my knee and I thought to try some of her speech and language games.
I had not had much luck previously but tried.
She did all her games very well concentrating hard and making some of the sounds.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa for aeroplane
Putting her finger to her lips for the SHShshshsh
Weeeeeeeee for the slide
Trying mooo for the cow

Then for the match the syllable sounds Baaaaa Vs woof woof and Mooo vs Quack Quack she matched the pictures
To my vocalisations and tried copyint them.
We even gave her matching pairs game a go and talked about the pictures. The socks go with the feet, hands with gloves, knife with fork and of course hiar and brush.
She is so clever and brilliant. Still not wearing her ears all the time and still a monkey but beautiful.

She said "..arry"

2010-01-12T11:34:00.001-08:00

Monday morning and I got Mary dressed in her room. Seh was messing about a bit and standing on her bed and not being at all helpful. Anyway after a bit of a struggle we were done and I was readdy to go downstairs. I am trying to encourage her to take herrself up and down the stairs. But as some of you know Mary and energetic ventures are not always compatible so in the interests of speed in teh mornings I usually carry her down the stairs. This MOnday as I turned and signed downstairs, Mary lifted her arms up and said " 'arry" Clear as that. In fact she said it a couple of times. What else could I do. My clever girl. So of course that morning she got her wish and mummy 'arried her downstairs.

New word

'arry - carry

Mary Said Owwwwww

2010-01-10T15:01:00.000-08:00

On Thursday 7th January 2010 we were at another friends house and Mary was messing about climbing all over me and throwing herself off the sofa. Both my friend and I tried to warn her about the nearby coffee table but woudl she look, nope. Anyway as predicted she fell off the sofa and stood up shaking her hand signing "oww" while saying "owww" perfectly at the same time. My friend and I jsut looked at each other and confirmed that we were hearing right. We cheered and praised her then thoguht we better check if she was ok but she seemed fine. Spontaneous vocalisation in context. Yay.

She signed Sorry!!

2010-01-10T12:49:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday 6 January 2010 we were at our friends house. She has a 13 month old delectable daughter. Anyway MAry was being a bit of a bully towards this girl and ended up pushing her over and making her cry. She was ok but went to mummy for a cuddle after the shock. I told Mary off and had a my very best cross face on, she actually signed "sorry" and "crying". And she looked sorry! Yay my girl said "sorry".

New signs

Sorry
Crying

Extending Mary's Sign vocabulary

2010-01-04T13:35:00.000-08:00

In addition to helping Mary focus on speech sounds we are also trying to extend her sign vocabulary. Mary has all her needs well and truly met so does not feel the need to sign more. She uses a lot of gesture and showing people what she wants or just does it herself. She got herself in trouble with Grandpa for shoving a DVD into the video player at Christmas, oops. Still it all turned out alright in the end!

So before Christmas she asked for her Tom and Jerry DVD, she signs "cat". I spent a few minutes with her getting her to sign " cat DVD please". She did this after a fashion.

Today she came to me and asked for "cat mouse". I was so pleased. I have referred to Tom and Jerry as "cat mouse" but she never took that up. Or so I thought. She is such a minx. Wonder what this next year is going to bring!

New Sign
"cat mouse" Tom and Jerry

Mary's cool Uncle Sean

2010-01-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

He has made a big effort to learn some signs, like his brother Uncle Justin, but one does not need signs to get these crazzy uncles to hang one upside down!

This is what Santa Got me Alright!

2010-01-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

She loves her big pink pony. Clever Father Christmas even managed to deliver it to Granpa and Granny's house.

Snow - So that is what waving your fingers in the air means!

2010-01-04T13:12:00.000-08:00

Mary for the first time this winter, 18 December 2009, Friday. Saw and understood snow. She loved it.

Christmas Party at the Deaf Centre

2010-01-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks now I am off. Give her her due she did wait until it was her turn before grabbing the present and running.

Speech and Language Therapy

2010-01-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

Mary had a visit from her S&L therapist on the 22 December 2009. Was quite amusing because she chose that day to experiment with the potty and was starkers when the lady arrived. Fortunately we have coem to know her quite well and Mary was soon placed in a nappy. Althoguht hte rest of the clothes stayed off.

Our lovely S&L Therapist is retiring in July and hopes, although given the state of the NHS may not happen, that there will be a person in place as soon as she has gone. We shall wait and see. She hopes that Mary will be saying 10 words fairly clearly by July. This obviously depends on the cooperation of the young child. Hmmm. In an attempt to get Mary interested in sounds, our lady has suggested we emphasise the first letters of words. So Ball, we repeat the word ball a few times when she playing with one and then do " b b b b".

On Christmas Eve 2009, for breakfast I too her a banana. I thought it not a ball but I got her to sign the banana and ask please. Then thought I could do "b b b b" which I did. She copied and OK it came out "p p p" but it is a start and she really enjoyed trying. That is the main thing. Getting her motivated. She is now paying a bit more attention when I do the sounds with her. We will have to see how she goes this next term.

She knows her place! And Mummy's and Daddy's!

2010-01-04T08:07:00.001-08:00

Apologies for being so slack. Things have been a little hectic here. Mary's Dad and I separated at the beginning of December. Was rather complicated for a while so these things got left to their own devices.

I was really concerned as to how Mary woudl take it all Daddy living in a separate house. We could explain things to our 5 year old and she had a few questions. But how do we explain such a complex issue to Mary when we still at the basic level of communication.

But never fear Mary is so clever. I dropped her at Daddy's after about two weeks of separation. She had stayed at his on the Wednesday night but he had picked her up from here. Anyway the Saturday morning when I put her inside Daddy's house she took her coat and shoes off and then turned to me... She pointed at me with a determined look on her face and signed "go". I asked her for a kiss and she repeated her signs and turned away and went inside. Of course I was haertbroken, at not getting my kiss. But that told me! The next week when Daddy dropped them off here. She asked to go up into my arms and then turned to Daddy and waved.

Ho she has worked out that Daddy and Mummy live in different houses amazes me. SHe is so intuitive. She is brilliant.

New signs
"Go"
DVD
Cat DVD please
Come
No - and she takes great delight in telling other children "no"
Eat
Downstairs

Talking

2009-09-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

Mary is now talking. Well the sounds she makes are very like speech. She responds to her name and "no" and seems to follow oral instructions such as take your shoes off, or go upstairs or sit. Either it is coincidence that she does the alloted task or she actually understands the request and complies.

Have noticed though that she does vocalises to the pattern of speech. There are very few consonants but the intonation and lilt of speech is definitely there. She also says "Byyeee" and "Hiyyaaaa" "Up pup up" and her favourite film "pop pop pop" for Mary Poppins.

To the shop

2009-09-06T03:26:00.001-07:00

Mary just signed to the shop and pointed the right direction. She also initiated a verse of baa baa black sheep.

Apple

2009-08-31T04:27:00.001-07:00

Mary asked for am apple out of the tree on our walk. She was singing round round to herself earlier.

Red

2009-08-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

Mary was supposed to be in bed tonight but wanted her "red". She was repeatedly signing "red" then went to her wardrobe. Red refers to her favourite dress. I explained to her in my perfect sign that she could wear it tomorrow. She just shook her head from herr position lying on the floor. I also signed "Bed time now" and "get into bed". Mary just closed her eyes and shook her head. I signed " lie on floor". She did not shake herr head so I left her. Half an hour later she had climbed back into bed.

Earlier today when big sister was getting into herr swimming costume to play in the paddling pool Mary signed "flower" and ran into the car park to Daddy's car. We were a little confused until Daddy worked out that she meant herr Flower swimming suit which had last been seen in Daddy's car. She is definitely too clever for us.

Cloth Where?

2009-08-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Mary just quite clearly signed "cloth where?" For those of you who havev not met Mary in person cloth is a stinky muslin that she goes everywhere with. Ealry on we realised this would be her comfort and so wanted a sign for cloth. The sign we use is like hug but holding your arms together to the left side. And wiggle your body. Well Mary added that bit in.

As to other signs well we have been busy. Camping and hospital.

Mary readily understood and signed tent. She loved camping. At the meal on our last night she was tired but signing tent. Clever girl.

While out with Daddy and the dog at camping she said "come".

We are no longer in receipt of language aide facility. This is both good and bad. MAry knows too much but is not letting on and having the laddy come once a week to teach her sign was a good thing. Oh well. I have completed my BSL Level 1 and Daddy is due to start his course in September. Mary will sign when she is ready.

One sign she has learnt really quickly is cheese triangle (make a triangle with your thumbs and forefingers; a homemade sign). She also learnt fridge as she has worked out that she can reach into the fridge to get out her own triangle using her little chair. Monkey Miss. Reinforcing the thought that she will learn and do when it suits her. Causign much frustration for herr porr speech and language therapist.

the S&L lady does say though for a year post implant Mary is making some wonderful babble noises. She also listens more.

One that note; the 30th July 2009 was her one year post switch on programming session. We have the Advanced Bionics processor and implant. She recieveed the T-mic attachment and is now a big girl wiht her processors not requiring a huggy. She also heard 500 Hz at 40 Db, 1000 Hz at 45 Db and 2 kHz at 50 Db. She can thus hear most of the speech sounds. She does here "s" and "sh" when spoken. So we are definitely making progress all round.

That is all I can think of for now. We are now waiting on her highness to do her thing. We may be waiting a while as she is happy with who she is. And that is a good thing.

In hospital Again...

2009-07-24T05:43:00.001-07:00

Sorry for no writing we been stuck at home with Swine flu. Katy and I have sucummbed although Mary herself is/was bright as rain. Then she got an ear infection and was rushed into Addenbrookes yesterday. I can't be with her cos of my flu status. Daddy took this and sent it for her blog.

Mary's left her first answerphone message

2009-07-15T01:25:00.000-07:00

Mary phoned Mummy from Hospital on Sunday 5th July while she was with Daddy. She left me this message. Hope you all can hear it. I think it is wonderful. Wont be the last I am sure.

Bah Humbug. WOnt let me upload the video. Oh well Will keep it for Mary to hear in the future.

Mary in hospital. Still thinks cows are sheep.

2009-07-04T11:59:00.001-07:00

While waiting we playing with animal noises. And despite being strangely quiet even with ears on today she was copying the sounds i made. Oh and one cant possibly sign with our hand in a bandage!

123 jump

2009-07-02T10:22:00.001-07:00

Stuck in Walberswick for dinner Mary learnt 123 jump. There were two plastic life size sheep in the garden of the pub. She was calling them cows. Not sure if she playing tricks on us or getting it wrong. But she did sign sheep with a giggle.

Also said 'oun oun' for round round in a song at hiccups on monday. Its coming!

She says now:-

"iiiieee iiieee" for Bye Bye. She can say "b" but does not string them together. Early days I know. Just noting down stuff as observation not criticism.

"oun oun" for Round Round. Was absolutley marvelous on Monday to see/hear her do this. Usually there is only one or two renditions of each song but we did quite a few of "Shake it" that day.

"U U" for Up. Again she can just about do "p" but not linking the sounds. We use the dandelion seed heads to practice "p" and "f" sounds. She seeems to enjoy that.

"O O" as from Pop or toast. Not quite sure but she signs toast with vigour accompanied by the "o" sound.

Very difficult to write down exactly how she says her words and without context one would not know they were words. But her range of babbling sounds is increasing everyday and she is even babbling without her ears on. So wonderful to hear. Starting to worry now all our effort to learn sign and teach her sign will be wasted if she learns to speak. Think though she will always use it. Who knows be up to her in a few years.

The terrible twos

2009-06-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

Ok I know she turned three a weekk ago but she has just hit the terrible twos. Was pretty easy going until then. Now everything is wrong and she regularly throws herself on the floor screaming. I am pretty certain that she fully understands what we are telling her and that it is just her protesting that she does not like what we said/signed.

Her sign of the week is Rabbit. She waves her two hands on top of her head like rabbit ears. Should be just fore finger and middle finger together as thin ears. Also walk fingers come out quite a lot as she is trying to walk everywhere. Not always at appropriate speeds hence the stropping when I try and put her back in the pram.

Her receptive skills are greatly improving and she understands me whne I tell her to get back in her big girl chair. She has the option of that or back in the baby seat at meal time. She does climb back into her seat.

Sounds are coming on and she is babbling wonderfully. Likes holding her hands over throats, including the dogs.

Getting slightly better at watching signing and lips. Still a little individual and has her own rules. We will get there I am sure.

Barbie horse

2009-06-18T10:34:00.001-07:00

Mary just asked for Barbie horse which is her favourite film Barbie pegasus. So cool. First spontaneous two sign string i recall.

She is three today!!!

2009-06-15T14:38:00.001-07:00

Birthday Girl blown out the Candles.

I really should be organised and add a photo of her and her cake. We had a lovely party yesterday and I think she understood that it was her turn with the cake and candles. She was lovely. She got a bike for her birthday and has a little trouble peddling. It will come I am sure.

At bed time she was telling me a story of her day. I thin kit was about her bike, not quite sure. Will be wonderful when I do understand her.

She is listening more and babbling with a bigger range of sounds. She still does not pay much attention but she is having fun in life.

OOOPs Loads to add

2009-06-15T14:17:00.001-07:00

Sorry have been a bit lax over the past while have a few things to add in....

Weekend of 24-26 May, Sun -Tue, We went up to Bradford to see my biological family again. Was lovely and the first time they had all met Mary. I was very touched by how much effort they had gone to to learn some sign language. Cousin Chloe was marvelous she spelled her name very well. Mary thoroughly enjoyed her time. All week that week everthign was funny (Hold your open hand under your chin and shake it up and down like a jaw moving.)

2 June 2009
Playing with the boy I childmind. On the way home from preschool we play a game of Ready Steady Go. The boy waits and then runs ahead on the "Go". Mary wanted to walk and was playing the game. She learnt about the waiting and would run ahead on the Go. She has been signing and saying "oH"and flicking her finger forward.

This day she was out of the pram and really getting into the spirit of things. She came up to me and was actually saying "Beebe beeebeb Oh" Definitely trying herr best to say the "Ready Steady Go". I tried caputring this on camera but she went silent as soon as the camera came out.

New words:-

Ready Steady Go - Beebe beeebeb Oh

She can hear its a miracle!!!!

2009-05-22T23:48:00.000-07:00

I had been thinking a while that Mary has not been quite getting the hearing. She seemed to not hear me calling her all the time. She woudl only register after a few attempts and with me making my voice loud and deep.

After the session on Wednesday she seems a lot more responsive. She wore her processors happily at the raised volume in the canteen. At home she turns on the first call of her name. We have a toy aeroplane which makes two noises. The propeller start up noise is easier to get going than the engine running noise. She was playing with the propeller noise happily setting it going again and again when it stopped. I pressed the button for the other noise and she stopped and stared. Clearly she heard that it was different. Now I love and hate that aeroplane all in the same breath. She loves it. Oh well all good for her development.

Tuning session at the Emmeline

2009-05-22T23:30:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday the 20th May we went for a 9/10 month tuning session. Following the plpay session ast week this was a stunning session. Mary was a little poppet. She did the hearing test very well. Not always responding appropriately but she was trying and did not have any fuss or screaming. She did have a little moment when she wanted her Bird (right processor) on and the would not let her as she was having her left ear tested. She responded at 1kHz at 60 dB.

Following the hearing test we had a tune up. Mary didnt mind having the wire connected and played very nicely while the audiologist fiddled. She was a wondeful child to be with. I was so proud of her.
Well done Mary.

Horses....

2009-05-22T23:07:00.000-07:00

On Monday we had the pleasure of the company of Mary's Hiccups friends at Easton Farm Park. We had a lovely day and the weather held out much better than Sunday at Thetford.

We saw rabbits, guinea pigs, big Suffolk Punch Horse called Mary who is also 2 years old and needs to learn her manners. Mary had many rides on the horse and trap and also on a pony. She was quite happy to go without Mummy or Daddy or Big sister. She wanted to swim in the fountain. It is very nice to see that she enjoys being with other people and does not worry about new places or strangers. Will cause me heartache when I have to start the "Stranger Danger" conversations but for now lovely to watch her confidence. Lots of signing of the animals and a generally very fun day.

Mary Suffolk Punch

Guinea Pig Bash.. Sorry patting

Horse and trap ride. Mary had in excess of 6 turns round the farm.

Mary on her first pony ride. She was very good at waiting her turn. There were two girls in front of her in the queue and although they were physically behind her while we were waiting she easily understood the "Their turn" sign, flick your thumbs up to the person whose turn it is. What a clever girl. She signed horse very enthusiastically.

Banana Mummy

2009-05-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

Mary came over to me in the kitchen. Signing something. Took me a while to get it. It was the sign for banana (mime yourself peeling a banana).

First time I recall her coming over to me and asking for something.

She is really taking off with sign this week and her vocalisations are getting more complex. I am trying to record it for this record but as soon as I get the camera out she goes quiet.

On another note, got a confession to make. I was wondering why we had not seen our speech and language therapist. Saw her at my sign class last night. Turns out it was my fault. I have missed two sessions. Oops Apologies. Will be in next week.

Family Fun day at Thetford

2009-05-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

Ned the bear at Thetford with NDCS. We had a lovely day with other families with deaf children.

Think Mary wants to go back to climb all the big trees and swings.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

2009-05-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Following our visit to the Emmeline Centre on the previous day, we took Katy to School. Mary was in her pram facing away from me as usual. Katy and I had been chattering also as usual and Mary was singing. Then I decided to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep to her. She stopped singing and turned her face up to look at me. We have three verses to our song: The boy, The girl and The dog who live down the lane. By the time I finsished the first two versus she was signing "Again" ( Flick two fingers of dominant hand down). Brilliant listening that day. Just goes to prove my theory about her overall desire to listen. Only on her terms.

Play at the Emmeline.

2009-05-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

We had a play visit to the Emmeline Centre on Wednesday last week. Our friend Gavin was attending for other reasons and we had an appointment in the Metabolic unit in the afternoon. It seemed like a good opportunity to take Mary along for a play. She usually just screams when we get there and it is very difficult for the audiologist to tune Mary appropriately.

When we arrived one of her Legups friends was there in the corridor. She seemed happy to see him but refused to get out of her pram. Indeed when I unfastened the straps she signed for them to be refastened.

Our Speech and Language rehabilitaionist (?) organised for her 1pm appointment girl to come in early. Thank you to them for their help. As they went into the room I made to get Mary out of the pram and she screamed. But as the room was set up for play she soon came round with only a few suspcious glances. We played some nice sound games designed to ease her anxiety and get her to listen. We sang Baa Baa Black Sheep at the end. Her face was funny when we just got up and walked out. We will se how she goes this Wednesday when she has to have a tunign session. I think she is in need of this desperately. But unless she performs properly at the hearing test they cannot fully adjust her sound input to match what she can hear.

Oh well Fun and games as usual with Mary.

I think however that even if she had perfect hearing she would not be a good listener. Good session all round.

Flower Mummy

2009-05-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting this. It occured last week on Thursday.

Mary is gettign very good at poiting out the flowers now and we are movign onto the colours of flowers. She can sign yellow, for a buttercup and white and purple for some flowers that I have no idea what they are.

She is also getting very good at listening and locating aircraft in the sky. Necessary given her Daddy's job.

Non Verbal/sign Communication

2009-05-06T13:20:00.001-07:00

Today we were at Gavin's house (you can follow Gavin here http://www.songavger.blogspot.com/). I was watching him and Mary playing in his garden. Gavin does sign and is very good with Mary. This was the first time at his house and she went straight in and looked like she owned the place. They have a large Trampoline in the garden and Mary knew exactly how to get Gavin to put her on and bounce her around. She had no problems communicating her needs. She used some signs and Gavin did encourage her to sign when he could get her attention. But Mary is very clever at communicating her needs in her own way. Afterall what is communication. In one sense it is the art of getting another person to do our bidding. She certainly excels at that.

I dont know if this hinders or helps Mary's formal language development this ability to get what she wants. However as it is communication it is lovely to see.

Thank goodness with all that bouncing we did not have trouble getting her to bed tonight.

Toast

2009-05-06T13:14:00.001-07:00

Breakfast at Grandma's on Sunday was replayed to me by Daddy upon his return Sunday evening.

Mary was sat after her cereal at the table patiently or otherwise waiting to go and play. She kept raising both hands up in the air, fingers up, palms towards the chest. "Toast"
Grandma asks what it is she is doing. Daddy informs her it is the sign for Toast.
Grandma says OK if she wants toast I shall go and makes some. She toddles off to the kitchen as dutiful Grandma's are want to do. Mary continues signing toast.

A few minutes later Grandma returns with desired item. And signs toast.

Mary looks at it agrees with Grandma, signs "Toast" and then leaves the table with a nod.

This is so Mary. Just checking if you would obey my command. And of course Grandma would.

Swimming and shopping with Daddy

2009-05-03T05:11:00.000-07:00

Daddy has taken Mary and big sister away to Grandma's for the night to allow me some free time with my friends. Very nice.

Teh plan was to go swimming at Grandma's pool, because they have a lovely set of water slides that Mary loves. Needless to say in the rush of packing yesterday I forgot to put the swimming gear in the car. But as the girls costumes were a little threadbare and Mike's a little old I said they should just get some new ones.

I received the following text from Daddy earlier this morning:-

"buying a swimsuit wound Mary up something rotten. She wouldnt take it off after we tried it on. Screamed the roof off when I took it off to pay."

Shows how Mary knows what she wants and and will let little stand in her way. Be nice to hear how they all got on.

Legups - Preschool group

2009-05-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

Mary has started this term attending the next step up from Hiccups, called Legups (Language Enrichment Group Up to Primary School). The session runs at a Primary School in Bury St Edmunds, the nearest town to us where there is a Unit for Hearing Impaired Children (HIU). The session is run for three year olds until they go into the Year 1. It aims to build on language skills, social interaction and builds their confidence being away from Mum and in the school environment. Not that our Mary needs the confidence building. Sessions are on Tuesday and Friday afternoons for 2 hours.

Mary only goes on the Friday at the moment because she is not yet 3 and still goes to the Hiccups group. We jsut felt that Mary needed a little extra and as they were happy to have her start now we were happy to send her.

Last Friday I left her with my friend, who has been asked in as a teaching assistant. The one whose house we went to on Wednesday. Mary did not even bother that I was not there.

Alternate Fridays there is a session where the parents are invited in to watch the chldren present theri work. It is very nice. The older hearing impaired children of the school also come along to show a piece of work and discuss the work. The emphasis is on talking where the children are capapble but any communication from the children is encouraged. Mary was tired when I first went into the room and she wanted to sit and cuddle Mummy. The other chldren were sat on a low bench in front of the parents. The teacher would pick a child and then bring them to the front to discuss their topic. Then the child would walk round the room and show the parents and other children the piece of work.

Mary watched this for about half the children (6). Then she hopped off my knee and went to get her playdough model, that the younger ones had done ealier and were showing off. She stood with the teacher for a short time and then walked round the room to show the others her work. It was wonderful to see her interacting in this way. She had observed what was going on and wanted to copy. I was so proud. Times like this make me worry less about her abillity to cope in the wider world when she gets there. Perhaps I should worry more about the World coping with Mary!!

Shoes off Mummy

2009-04-29T13:45:00.001-07:00

Today we went to a friends house. Her daughter too has bilateral cochlear implants. But the daughter is nearly six years old so does not really play with Mary at the moment. However it is nice to meet up with another mum who understands Mary and her needs. She signs to Mary and replaces her ears without any thought and I can truly relax.

Mary too enjoys our visits there and let out a big squeal and waved her arms when we pulled up in the driveway.

The girls were playing in the garden and us grown ups were in the kitchen. This scene reminds me of the issue I have with translation of BSL into English for the subtitles. I am beginning to understand BSL and find the subtitle translations very amusing. On a TV show we watch, Wicked, one of the presenters merely shrugged. The translation was "Well I suppose so then" accurate but wordy.

Mary's Language
M: Mary comes into the room sits on the floor and thrusts her foot in my direction.
Translation "Mummy please will you take my shoe off?"
Mummy: I sign "Want shoe off"(dominant hand inserted into non-dominant hand and pulled out as though taking a shoe off)
M: Mary looks at me, rolls her eyes and thrusts her foot at me again.
Translation "You know I want you to take my shoe off. You also know I know how to sign shoe off so will you just take my shoes off so I can get on with playing, thank you very much."

Needless to say I did not get her to sign "shoe off" on that occasion. She had her shoes and socks removed and promptly left to go back outside.

This highlights the biggest difficulty I have with my daughter. Her independent, know it all spirit. In one respect it is a blessing with all the added hardships she will have in life. However it makes for a frustrating time trying to get her to respond to us and show us what she does know. Why waste time signing what you know when you can be outside playing?

HICCUPS - toddler group

2009-04-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

We attend a special toddler group on alternate Mondays for Hearing and Visually Impaired children. It is called Hiccups which stands for Hearing Impaired Children Coming up to Primary School. It started out with the HI children and we have since melded with the VI children. It is very interesting to find out the different challenges those children and their families have.

Back to Mary, our Deaf adult friend Gavin was there and Mary spent a lot of time watching his signing. She also wore her ears very well even in the noisy environment. It was so great to see her mixing with the other children. Brilliant day. Then after Hiccups we went to our new friends house. Mum is lovely, her daughter is only 5 months and HI and VI. Be wonderful to watch how she develops. Mary found that her big sister had a rocking horse and merrily signed horse. Then after being on the horse for a while signed up and off. She was tired but is starting to sign such a lot. What a clever girl.

After a bad weekend with the ears Mary wore her ears very well today and I noticed her making a range of different sounds. I tried getting it on video but as soon as she saw the camera she stopped.

But the best news today is that she can say Mummy properly. No Mummummumm. She has said it twice today so I know it was not a fluke the other day. Now does she actually need to say anymore???!

New Word
Mummy

Scooting on a lovely Sunday

2009-04-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Two thing happened today that made me well up with pride. Mary 's physical development has been delayed by her Glycogen Storage Disease Type IX. Totally unrelated to deafness but affects her gross motor skills. Anyway yesterday she scooted by herself for the first time. And we had a conversation in sign about the scooter and scooting and it falling over. Mary was having a deaf day and refused to wear her ears all day. She was keen to copy my signs.

Check out the video... There is only a little sound on this which Mary makes - her "Eee" no other sound.

The sign conversation went something like this (In BSL)

Me: "Want to scoot?"

Mary: "Scooting yes"

At end of scoot Mary would try and turn it around and it would fall over. She would coever her mouth in a "oops" fashion. Later on when it stopped falling over she pushed it over and went oops. I told her in sign that no she shouldn't do that. She seemed to understand.

Nice

2009-04-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

Tonight at dinner Mary asked as usual for food. She had beans on toast in front of her which apparently is not food. We gave her the remains of herr lunch, which had been refridgerated, ham and soft cheese on bread. She is signing good. Both thumbs up.

I sign "Lovely" (Thumb up on dominant hand and scrape your thumb across your chin, making a lovely type face)

Mary copied. And then repeated it when she started the next peice of bread.

It's lunch time Mummy

2009-04-24T04:07:00.000-07:00

We had a busy morning shopping, sorting and unpacking. Oh and also playing in the garden.

I shouted out our upstairs window (our kitchen is on the first floor) to Mary who was sat in the garden. She heard me and managed to locate my voice. We then had a conversation about coming inside and upstairs. Which resulted in me going downstairs to fetch her! Her legs were obviosly a bit weak after hard shop. After a bit more sorting out she climbs excitedly onto her chair. Then tells me in lovely sign:-

"Time lunch mummy, now."

I repeat "Dinner time now"

Mary signs "Good"

Her "Good" is cute cos she doesnt always raise her thumb and sometimes raises her index finger instead. Today we got both. Sorry too slow for a picture though.

2009-04-24T01:04:00.000-07:00

Mary signing driving and making the car sound. We have not specifically taught her to make the sound for a car. She picked that up herself. What a clever girl.

Wicked

2009-04-24T00:49:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah Mary learnt a new sign watching TV on Wednesday morning with me before swimming.

We were watching the new TV show called Wicked, signed and deals with issues involving Deaf people. http://www.bslbt.co.uk/wicked/

Mary after the show was signing Wicked with a big grin on her face. Who says kids cant learn anything from telly???

Swimming in Ipswich

2009-04-23T01:01:00.000-07:00

Mary and I went swimming with a couple of signing friends in Ipswich yesterday. Mary had a ball. After being thrown into the pool and dunked a few times she was signing funny. Although she discovered it is difficult to sign "Funny" when your arms are stuck out the side of your body by your arm bands and swimming ring!

Rough and smooth

2009-04-22T01:55:00.000-07:00

Whilst out walking the dog we pass a number of silver birch trees. Last year I began to show Katy the concepts of Rough and Smooth and we would often have a guess and then a feel of the bark on the trees. Katy enjoyed this.

Up until recently Mary has not shown much interest in the idea.During the Easter holidays she started feeling the trees. Our Language aide with the help of a few texts told us the signs for Rough and Smooth.

Today Mary signed "Rough" and "Smooth". What a clever girl!

Further down the path she signs to me "Mummy, Look flower." WoW!!! The best Dandelion I have ever picked.

Yes upstairs!

2009-04-21T10:18:00.001-07:00

Mary had enough eating and wants to go upstairs.

Mary plays guitar...

2009-04-21T06:09:00.001-07:00

And drum and tambourine. Singing songs very well. Hearing all the noises and no blinking.

Remembering some things she has done

2009-04-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

Mary has had some sound going into her ears since 29 July 2008. Over the past 9 months she has been developing relatively slowly. These are a few of the things I remember from her journey.

Day 1: She had her right ear fitted first. When we got home I made Chalky bark in the hallway she turned to him and opened and closed her mouth to copy him. She really enjoyed it.

Most of the first few months involved a lot of on/off with her processors. Very frustrating. But the perserverance has worked as she is now happy to wear them for large portions of the day.

8 August 08 She picked up the processors and put them to her ears. Showing she knew what they were for.

10 August 08 She made a "tut" sounds with her tongue and a "ggghh" at the back of her throat.

13 August 08 Started making a "mmm mmm" sound as soon as they were put on. Was very noisy with them on.

18 August 08 The processors had a wash in the muddy water in the back of the toy car in the garden. :P They dried off ok fortunately. Heard the wasahing machine from in the hallway and signed it.

20 August 08 Turned to my shout when she walked away from me at Mothercare.

24 August 08 The right processor was nearly eaten by an Emu at White Post Farm near Grandma's house. Mary got a nip on her ear. We were lucky to get it of the bird.

25 August 08 Knows when she is being talked to. Asked for them when they were taken off at bedtime. When I gave them to her she cuddled them as she turned over.

30 August 08 Singing scales "ah ah ah ah". Wearing them well. Shouted " mummm meee" from her room at about 8pm.

March 09 She turned to the sound of a water tap in the downstairs loo and also turned to the flushing of the toilet. Similar but different sounds.

Well that is all for tonight. More from the early days another time.

Mary and an ice cream.

2009-04-19T07:21:00.001-07:00

Mary heard the flag flapping in the wind at the ice cream van and turned to the sound.

2009-04-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

Mary aged 2 3/4. Does some signing with her Language Aide.

Talking to geese at Needham Lake

2009-04-17T02:46:00.001-07:00

Mary heard the geese and made a "ha ha" sound to answer them.

Just testing the link

2009-04-16T10:01:00.001-07:00

Mary playing with animal noise toy but alas no ears. Hmm.

An hour at Addenbrookes...

2009-04-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

We spent nearly two hours in the car this afternoon for less than an hour at the Orthoptist (Eye person who tests eye sight). Well at least I only paid £1.80 for parking. Mary's eyesight supposedly is quite bad and unless we get her wearing her glasses now she will have poor eyesight always after she turns 8. Poor girl. She hates them. Will have to persevere though.

On a more positive note she wore her Magic Ears happily throughout the session. Just the evil glasses she didnt like.

No new sounds but she has invented a sign for Wotsits. Kind of like ice cream but instead of licking your hand you make an O sucking face as if you are sucking a wotsit in. All good communication.

Will fill you all in about her progress from switch on until I started this. Will jump about a bit when I remember things. Until I am up to date.

Words to date she has said
Mumma
Barbara (Bwarbwarbrrraa)
Fish (ishhhh)
Bike (bk)
Ball (bbbblll)

Girls in the mud.

2009-04-16T05:24:00.001-07:00

Mary digging and katy singing.

Where to start...

2009-04-16T03:06:00.000-07:00

My Darling Mary has been profoundly deaf since birth, we think. I first realised there was a problem when she was 7-8 months old, she had always been a listless sickly baby. I asked the health visitor to check out her hearing and she claimed that she couldnt be deaf because "She is a happy baby." I should have pushed harder because things may have happened quicker. Through other means we got referred to the audiology unit at hospital. She was eventually seen by paediatric consultant two days after my mum's funeral. She was tested electronically via an ABR a week later and by 17 July we had a confirmed diagnosis that she was profoundly deaf. She was fitted with her first hearing aids on the 1st August. She was 13.5 months old.
We perservered with the hearing aids for 4-5 months but there was no improvement in her vocalisations.
In December we were referred to the Emmeline Cochlear Implant centre. Numerous tests later she was admitted to the program. We were lucky as we were able to secure a place in a trial to determine if two implants were better than 1. The NHS at the time were only funding one implant. I always felt that we were meant to have two ears so it seemed bizarre to only offer one implant. Mary had her operation on 23 June when she was a week over 2. She was switched on five weeks later after a few complications with infection.
It has been slow progress but since January, Mary being 2.5yrs, she seems to have come on in leaps and bounds with her hearing and vocalising. I wanted to make a record of her journey to hearing and speaking. Please bear in mind she is still a profoundly deaf little girl and although she can hear me shout "no" and her name when she is wearing her processors, it is still very difficult for her to make out sound.
The cochlear implant is a very sophisticated, almost magical piece of equipment but it is not a cure for deafness. I call them her "Magic Ears". We are learning sign as well because I feel it is important for her to learn the language of her peers.
With this blog I am hoping to record all those little milestones she does. Hope you enjoy it.

Makka mary

2009-03-11T03:29:00.001-07:00

Collecting stones