Apple

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

Red

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?

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...

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

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.

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

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.