Happy Father's Day

This is my second father’s day.  Last year Madison was only a few days old, and the three of us went to the local diner to get some breakfast.  It was arguably the quickest meal of my life - I felt that before we even finished ordering the food, our meals were in front of us.  We each had about half of our omelets, and then Madison started crying.  Immediately, we knew it was time to go.  I was hungry and sleep-deprived, and all I wanted was just some R&R for my day.   Little did my wife and I know what we had in store for us over the next twelve months.  It would be a few more weeks until we learned about Madison’s hearing loss, and then several more months after that day in July until we learned of the reason why.  I think about it constantly, but I now try and focus on what the future will bring. Madison will be walking soon, she loves to pull herself up and walk along the side of the couch.  Her first word is definitely “AH” for Alan, but I think her second word will be “daddy.”

This year we spent the day out on Long Island with Jennifer's family.  Madison experienced her first ride on a boat!! She was not a fan of wearing the life jacket and let us know very quickly... instead of riding out on the ocean, we rode back to the dock and had lunch on solid ground.  Guess we will have to wait until Madison is a little older until we ride the waves again.  Here are a few pictures from the day.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!

Madison turned ONE on June 8, 2012.  We celebrated her birthday with a party at our apartment with family and friends on June 2^nd.  Madison had a monkey-themed birthday party.  Our daughter has always been fascinated by monkeys… In fact, one of the flower baskets that we received after Madison’s birth came with a stuffed monkey.  This animal quickly became Madison’s favorite toy.   In addition to a monkey birthday cake, we had a “balloon artist” from the neighborhood perform for all the little kiddies.  Madison had 6 little friends attend her party, and about 25 adults.  The weather was perfect and we had the event on the rooftop of our building.

With Madison being a year old – naturally, Brian and I have been doing some reminiscing.  Imagine where we were a year ago?  Who would have thought the last 12 months would have gone how they did?  June 8, 2011 was the greatest day of our lives – and we love Madison so much!  From those who are living a similar journey to us, or who are a few years ahead of us – we are constantly reminded to enjoy your little child.  Take a step back from all the therapy and emotions and appreciate the fact you have a beautiful little muchkin!  Today, on our trip to the grocery store, Madison was wearing a sun hat and she kept on trying to put it on her head.  It was so cute…seeing her try to put the hat on her head and getting so frustrated.  Or, seeing her watch the trains at Grandma & Grandpa's house this weekend…and seeing how excited she would get – hence, reminding me of my childhood. 

It has been 10+ months since we learned of the degree of Madison’s hearing loss.  It has been less than 5 months since her surgery…and about 4 months since her activation.  12 months ago I never would have thought how seeing my daughter turn to her name is surreal.  Madison babbles and is continually introducing new sounds.  She rattles off Ma Ma Ma and Da Da Da, but there is no meaning at this moment for either of those.  I believe her first (true) word is “AH” for Alan (Al).  It’s the only time she says “AH” and always points towards the dog.  It really is her best friend.  While her speech is progressing, we feel that her listening and comprehension is really starting to pick up.  This weekend, Grandpa taught her where her “eyes” and “ears” were and she would touch them when asked.  We even had Madison in one of those inflatable plastic outdoor pools in Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard.  She was a happy baby with a diaper under her swimsuit, and then…she looked up when she heard the plans make their descent into JFK!!!!  And she kept on looking up every time the planes came by… and would point to the sky and say “AAAAAAHHHHH”!  Finally, another event took place this weekend…Madison’s device fell off her ear and she tried to put it back on her head.  I couldn’t believe what I saw…so I knocked it off her head a few minutes later and sure enough – she reproduced the same action…grabbing the processor and trying to put it back.  We never doubted the decision we made to go down the path we chose, however, right then and there, we knew that we made the right decision.  We will attempt to get this on video!

I’m so excited for what the next 12 months will bring, but need to make sure that I cherish and appreciate this next year.  I have learned so much this past year... more than I ever knew was possible.  I am so thankful for how far we have come and continue to look forward to what the future will bring!

Happy Birthday to our sweet (baby) Madison! We love you XOXO

Happy Mother's Day

Mom.  Mommy.  Mama.  Mother.  Madre.  So many words to describe the role, but so few that can adequately explain the wonder of motherhood and just how much it means.  It is so difficult to capture in words, especially when you have been embarking on a journey that you never even knew existed.

Madison has been “hearing” for 3 months now.  At the 6 week mark, her babbling “vocabulary” truly exploded.  Prior to getting her CIs, she was only really crying or using the “ahhh” or an occasional “ooo” vowel sound to communicate.  We have learned that these are the easiest, most basic vocal sounds for any baby to develop… and it is a sound expressed by all babies – hearing or not.  When a child is born deaf, they often exhibit early signs of babbling... but they soon come to an end. Thank you to cochlear implants, Madison's world has now changed.. and so has ours.   

After 6 weeks of “hearing” Madison finally began using consonant sounds! This was a HUGE step forward.  “MMMMM” – this was a sound we would always use as we fed Madison.  A few days later we woke up to: “YAYAYAYA”  &  “RARARARA” over and over again.  The following day, “MAMAMAMA”  “DADADADA”… Oh, music to my heart!   Never in a million years did I ever expect to be so happy to hear these words. 

Below is a special tribute in honor of Mother’s Day.  Happy Mother’s Day to all, especially to my own mother who has taught me so much!

May 8, 2012 - 11 months old

Happy 11 Months to Miss Madison.  We can not believe that she will be turning ONE in just a few weeks!!!

Madison has been crawling a ton, and has been pulling herself to stand up - but is still a bit a way from walking.  Gloria bought Madison a baby doll a few weeks ago, and Madison does not let this baby out of her sight. She sleeps with the baby, eats with the baby and even crawls with the baby.  It's funny how the baby tells the story of her day - oh, are those sweet potatoes all over the baby.  But Madison is a great mom to her baby doll, she hugs it and kisses it - and when we ask her "Where's your baby?" - she even crawls to it.  In addition, she has been using her baby as a form of communication.  When Madison wants to play on the floor, or crawl around, she drops her doll.  If she wants to go outside, she points to the door - but if you happen to walk past the stroller, she will literally throw the doll into the stroller.

Madison has been hearing for 3 months and we have seen noticeable changes - she turns to her name, she has been babbling and we think she even knows the dog's (Alan) name - as she only uses a one syllable word when trying to get the dog's attention ("Ahhhhl")...well maybe sometimes the "L" at the end is missing.  Even though the dog is her best friend, she has become more social in her group therapies, though we hope she breaks out of her shell even more.

Madison's schedule has changed.  She still goes to The Center four times a week for individual speech therapy and attends a weekly group session at The Clarke School.  But, she is now receiving Early Intervention services at our apartment with Michelle - a graduate student at Columbia.  So far, Madison has been very receptive of Michelle and we hope this continues.

Her busy schedule just keeps going.  Therapy, story time at the New York Public Library (see picture, where Madison wanted to be in the circle of attention), Washington Market Park, Music Class, Battery Park, the Pier and of course, Barnes & Noble.  Madison loves the great NYC weather and you might see her gallivanting around Lower Manhattan.

April 8, 2012 - 10 Months Old!

April 8, 2012 - 10 month's old today! 

I can't believe how quickly my little girl is growing up.  I feel as though I put her to sleep one day as an infant and she woke up as a grown baby! Where did the time go? It is so easy to get so caught up with her doctor appointments, endless therapy, programming sessions and conventions... time flies more than ever when you are busy!  We need to make a point of stopping every so often and enjoy little Madison for who she is - a cute, loving, happy little girl!
Madison is on the go more than ever these days.  One month ago she was evaluated by a physical therapist with regards to her "lack of crawling".  And today - she is crawling all over the place, pulling herself up to stand and wanting to walk! Pretty sure she will be running from us!

Nanny and Poppy came for a visit 2 weeks ago - here are a few pictures:

We spent this past weekend with family celebrating Passover & Easter:

  My favorite babysitter cousin, Karlye <3

 Yes, that brown blob on the lawn is Alan :)

 Happy in my Grandma's arms as I gnaw on a celery stick!

 Grandpa!

God's Cake

I received this from my aunt a couple of months ago and have been meaning to post this to Madison's blog.  Thanks Mary for sharing this with me :)

God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder,

"What did I do to deserve this?" or

"Why did God have to do this to me?"

Here is a wonderful explaination.

A daughter is telling her mother how everything

is going wrong, she is failing algebra, her boyfriend

broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her mother is baking a cake and

asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the

daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her mother offers.

"Yuck" says her daughter..

"How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!"

"Would you like some four then?

Or maybe baking soda?"

"Mom, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies:

"Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves.

But when they are put together in the

right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"

God works the same way.  Many times we wonder why

He would let us go through such bad and difficult

times.  But God knows that when He puts these things

all in His order, they always work for good! We just

have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all

make something wonderful!

He sends you flowers every spring and

a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.

He can live anywhere in the universe,

and he chose your heart.



Sunday Funday... I've mastered two new tricks today!

This video captures two important milestones.
Madison began "turning" towards her name just a couple of weeks ago - it was so nice to witness, but was it just a coincident? Well Madison turns towards her name 99% of the time and we are convinced she knows that is her name. I also believe she knows "dog" & "Alan". When we ask her "where is Alan.... Where is the dog...?" it really seems as if she is looking for him!!
Rewarding with food has finally paid off - it looks like we will spend the upcoming weekend, baby proofing the apartment!