Something With Spinach In It

We went the children's museum yesterday with some friends.  It was a play date sort of thing. While stoping to nurse E and get the other kids a snack my friend broke out all kinds of organic goodness for  packed up in these adorable little cloth sandwich bags. Fortunately she brought enough to share with all the kids, which was good because all I brought was some easter candy from the church egg hunt in case I needed to bribe them out of the building (it happens from time to time). I call it hush money.

I want my kids to be healthy. Shoot, I want to be healthy, but despite my attempts at new years resolutions healthy habits are often out ranked by convenient ones.

Last night I tried to make up for it by pulling together a recipe from my pinterest board.



 The previous pinner had labeled it "Kid-approved spinach recipes" so I thought it would be worth a try.

My brother, who I live with, is working on implementing videography into his recording studio. You have to be prepared to be filmed at all times when you are around him, and today this little clip showed up on Facebook.



It's a just glimpse of what I was cooking in the kitchen, but I thought I would share it because the recipe actually turned out pretty good. My kids were eagerly eating something with spinach in it and we had leftovers for lunch today. I was worried that frozen spinach might somehow be void of nutrients, but it's quite the contrary. Frozen spinach is really nutritious, probably even more than the spinach you find in the produce section. So if you are interested in the recipe from All You here it is.

Spinach-and-Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Ingredients

• 24 jumbo pasta shells
• 1 15-oz. container ricotta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella 
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
• 1 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten 
• Salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1 26-oz. jar spaghetti sauce 

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Mist a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta shells according to package label directions; drain and set aside to cool. While pasta cooks, in a large bowl, stir together ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, egg, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and nutmeg.
2. 2. Spread 3/4 cup spaghetti sauce over bottom of baking dish. Stuff shells with cheese-and-spinach mixture and place in dish. Spoon remaining sauce over shells and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella.
3. 3. Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake about 10 minutes longer, until bubbly and cheese begins to brown.

Oh yeah, and today I order one of those reusable sandwich bags. Their called Lunchkins. Isn't it cute?
Maybe I will be inspired to fill it with healthy snacks for the kids and I. Or maybe I'll fill it with hush money. Either way I look forward to filling it.

Spring Break 2013

The snow this year just doesn't quit. I am not complaining though (other than getting sick of wearing boots everyday).

So even though our first spring break hasn't been the typical tulips, beach balls, and sunshine that you think of with spring, we've still had a good time so far.

Meme came to town and we built snowmen and had snowball fights.



Then we met up with "the cousins" at Chuck E. Cheese. We are on Chuck's email list because they give freebies every now and then, like 20 free tokens for your half birthday. The half birthday thing cracks me up though, because my kids are exactly 2 and a half years apart, so to really do up the 1/2 thing would be stealing thunder from the real birthday! Regardless of that little tidbit, we used up all 40 tokens along with cashing in the winning tickets for some measly prizes. What more could a kid ask for?

In other birthday freebie news, SJ's birthday package from Totter's Otterville came with an extra ticket for the birthday child, so we used that yesterday and they played hard!



SJ spent a lot of time dancing in the ballet studio, but she also set up this whole gourmet meal for her baby.

And Z made a new friend.



Here they are in the Otterville grocery store dressed up as mailmen adorned with batman face paint. The other little boy looked like a batman mask and Z had the bat signal on one cheek and Superman logo on the other. When the boy saw Z he shouted "MINE is even MORE COOLER than yours!" I cringed and held my breath to see how Z would respond to this typical boy competitiveness. He just smiled and said "Mine is Batman Superman" and he was so kind about it. I exhaled and they ran off to the ball pit.

I am still hoping to fit in a trip to the children's museum, and of course Easter is on Sunday, then it will be back to the grind stone. Have you seen any signs of Spring yet?

SJ Month 4

Today makes 4 months of SJ hearing. Last month I was blogging about how distraught I was because it seemed like we were at a stand still. Her advisor met with me to address some concerns they had and it was not easy for me to hear. SJ's team was worried because they knew what she should be capable of and they acknowledged that she was trying very hard, but something wasn't right. She just wasn't where she should be at this stage in the game. It's a tricky thing when you are teaching a person to use an electronic device. I come from a family of IT experts and sometimes you have to wonder is the issue with the computer or the person using it. In this case it was "the computer".

Once her new audiologist got in there and tweaked her settings it changed SJ's world! My friend Amy made a comment on a post I wrote just before she was implanted, she said

 "I'd probably follow her around with a video camera for a week or more, just to capture her hearing different things! "

Well, it didn't quite work out that way the first time around, but now that we have the right amount of volume for her, WATCH OUT! I am a ma'am with a cam! First off I jump up and down clapping every time she detects a sound for the first time, sounds that she should have heard a thousand times before. Then I frantically I scream out "Where is the video camera? Oh no it's dead! Where are the batteries? Ahhhh, where is my phone?!" And sometimes I am able to catch the moment before it's over.

In this little series of "firsts" I want to mention that I did not do any listening cues. She heard everything on her own. The day her audiologist turned her up we came home and Z had just turned the volume on his video game and she turned and shrieked. The same day she reacted to a squeaky door and a doll she got for Christmas, but never realized that it talked! Then, get out the baby book because this past Monday March 17 she said her first official word. J went upstairs and SJ pointed and said UP over and over. I got her to say it again for the video. We have video of her saying up, but this time it was not mimicking. No one said up to her, it was just her using a verbal word to communicate a thought completely on her own! Do you realize what a break through that is!? Okay, I'll calm down. Here is the video.

    

The Anniversary

These are some pictures of our family doing an Easter craft last year.

The significance of these photos is that they were taken on April 3, 2012 which was the last day of life as I knew it. 

Rachel from This Journey Our Life says you know you are special needs mom when your life can be categorized into two segments: before your child’s diagnosis and after.

I relate to this. SJ’s diagnosis was kind of gradual in the way that we found out, but the first time anyone labeled her as a child with hearing loss was April 4, 2012. As we approach the anniversary of that date I am reluctantly adjusting to the idea of passing that one year mark. 

Earlier this year I was out shopping when I noticed they had put out the seasonal St. Patrick's day displays. SJ’s birthday is right around St. Patty’s day which was part of what inspired the GREEN eggs and ham party theme. That’s when it hit me. I stopped dead in my tracks in the middle of the aisle and gripped my shopping cart as my mind took me on a rapid pace roller coaster ride reviewing the sequence of events that had transpired over the past year.

SJ’s birthday. Not talking. Doctor. Questions. To do list. ENT. Sound booth. Denial. Loud bell. No response. 

She. Can’t. Hear. 

Pause. 

My heart was pounding and I had to catch my breath.  

You see this time last year I didn’t know my daughter was deaf and next week that will still be true, but it won’t be much longer. It feels like a death. For me it was like the death of her hearing. I had this, let’s just go ahead and use the word, “normal” little girl who was developing so perfect and beautifully “normal” and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for her to say her first word. I figured she would just strike up a conversation or burst into song at any moment. Not once did the idea that she could be deaf cross my mind. Not once.  

Shortly after her diagnosis was confirmed I remember packing up her little 18 month clothes and I felt like I was parting with "the hearing SJ" and putting all of those memories in a box. As the anniversary of her diagnosis approaches I find myself revisiting some of those feelings all over again. Every month, every holiday, every little outfit that she's outgrown seems to trigger memories of the valleys that we walked through last year. I still feel like I am walking around in shoes that don't fit sometimes, but I guess all mothers feel that way and we just need to grow into them. God knows the hairs on my head, he certainly knows my shoes size, before diagnosis 



and after. 

 

Epiphany

I have always said that I would never EVER homeschool. Many of my closest friends do. They do it well and I respect them all the more for it. So, it's not that I am against it, it's just that I never felt like I was cut out for it. I have done a lot of homeschooling research lately since we had to pull the 5 year old out of Pre-K. It's a slippery slope I tell ya. The more I get into it, the more I am intrigued and start to picture myself getting lost in the creativity of new ideas and rewarded by the delight that comes when you see a child's eyes light up with discovery. Then I snap back to reality. I am not saying that it could never happen, but I would have to hand them over to a tutor or a DVD teacher by 3rd grade. I am so bad at math. No really, I am not talking about trigonometry, I am saying that I am intimidated by fractions.

Regardless of whether or not homeschool is even part of the equation (Equation. Yuck.) I will still always be involved in my children's education in the most hands on way possible. I think that all parents should be. I have learned so much since embarking on this new academic territory. Some of the most enlightening advice I've received came from one of Z's teachers. She was seeing signs that Z may be gifted and talented because of how quickly he picked up on things and eagerly he was to learn more. Counting to a hundred was never enough so she challenged him with counting in spanish. She told me with GT kids your goal is to broaden and expand the level they are on rather than just have them scurry off to the next one. The key is learning not just vertically, but horizontally. That's when I reached up and pulled the chain that turned on the light bulb over my head.

I have been able to apply this method when teaching both of my kids together when they are not only different ages, but completely different learning styles (SJ's pertaining to her special needs). I've been doing this all along, but it's clicking and making more sense now. Let's say you are working in the garden together. The baby may be experimenting with soil and learning that it does not taste good while the preschool age child is learning that seeds grow into plants and healthy foods. The parents and elementary age child may be working together to understand the science behind germination and life cycles.

Lately I've been trying to increase the amount of reading time I have with my kids. Z is learning to read along and SJ is learning to listen. One of the books we read on a daily basis is First Words.
 
I know it's a book for babies, which I only have one of, but even though SJ is 3 her hearing age is 3 months. We have to be able to go back to the BASICS for her to be able to listen and speak. When we go through this book SJ is able to practice saying AHHHH for airplane and her imitation of watermelon is totally unintelligible but she gets that it has 4 syllables and makes 4 grunts. At the same time Z is able to read some of the words in the book and enjoys helping me work with his little sister. In the meantime Ezie is like whatever. He likes to watch them though and I just keep on learning more and more from all three of them. It's like a mutualistic symbiotic relationship. Okay, I had to look that up, but I couldn't resist adding a little science. There it is. 

Ready for Random?

I have a whole grab bag of thoughts (and a couple questions) for you on this Miscellany Monday.

I have a new obsession called the Library. My sister in law (the one I live with) took me a few weeks ago and all they required for membership was local mail with my name on it. So I got a card and I go often. Lately I have been talking up my Library membership like it is the new iPhone. I am that cool.

 I know Valentine's Day was a month ago, but SJ had surgery that day so we basically didn't acknowledge it at all. We did however go to a young married party at our church that weekend and we played the newly wed game. It was so much fun. I loved seeing how alike and different J and I answered each question.

One question was
"If there were a fire what 3 things would your husband try and save?"
My answer was family, computer, and photos. And while most husbands answered that they would save their wife and/or children, the answers ranged from pets, to guns, to TV. I knew J wouldn't save our TV because we have a 13 year old box TV that switches from color to black and white, the latter being more and more frequent. In fact I think if we saw a fire fighter coming out of a burning house with our TV we would throw our hands out and scream "Noooo! Put it back!!!" Anyway, back the game, when it was J's turn to answer he said "family, computer, and photos" SCORE!

Another question was which would your husband least want to do, go shopping with you, or clean the toilet? I misunderstood and thought it said which would your husband rather do, so I said go shopping. All the guys were answering, go shopping, go shopping, go shopping. Then J meekly squeaked out scrub the toilet. I was shocked and blurted out "WHAT YOU WOULD RATHER SCRUB THE TOILET THAN GO SHOPPING WITH ME!?" That's when everyone explained what the question actually was. Which made sense, because shopping is one of our favorite things to do together, but then it hit me... "Sooo... all of you guys would RATHER scrub the toilet?" There was a resounding yes. I never knew J was such a rare find.

Another thing I've been thinking about and wondering if I am a minority in is the use of area codes. I am old enough to remember not having to use an area code, but these days its 10 digits and that's that. The problem is not everyone sees it that way. I have to exchange phone number a lot because of SJ's appointments and I start with (972) and then give the rest and it throws people because they automatically put in the local area code. Or if they give me their office number they leave out the area code and inside I am thinking "REALLY? You expect me to know the area code. Not only am I new in town, but even if I weren't there are several different area codes in one metroplex. Add the mass use of cell phones and you are dealing with even more!" So what do you think, area code, or no area code? That is the question.

Lastly I leave you with the quote that's been in my mind the most lately.

I am sure I am not the only one that feels this way. We might as well laugh about it. 

Totter's Otterville

Who wants to play in a room full of baby dolls? How about a puppet show? Face paint? We could go see live animals. Let me guess, you want to play in the ball pit. Totter's Otterville offers all this and more. It is a place where a kids imagination can run wild. It's everything they love all in one place. I have only been there once before, but when my mom suggested it for SJ's third birthday I said YES absolutely, and it was a done deal.

My brother (the one with the recording studio) brought his new camera and put together this video of the celebration. I hate giving disclaimers, but on the one day that SJ was being followed by cameras she had put lotion, conditioner, or something in her hair and her usually Rapunzel-ish locks were really stringing. Pair that with her brother hitting her head with a bowling pin (a toy foam one, but still enough to leave a mark) and she looked pretty roughed up. She still (as you will see from the dress up segments) is my little princess. 

SJ's Third Birthday Party from Brandon Weaver on Vimeo.

The Guests:

Z was the oldest kiddo of the bunch
The girl with the pigtails and polka dots is my lovely niece. She is just 4 months younger than SJ
The adorable one year old boy with the hoodie is my nephew. He is a year older than E.
There are 3 blonde headed brothers that SJ spends all her church nursery time with.
Then there were two other brothers and their baby sister.

11 little ones age 0-5. What a happy birthday it was! I can't wait for the next party.

5 Months Cold

Ezie is now 5 months cold, I mean old. Although, it has been pretty cold since he was born. We've had multiple snow days and I figured this would be the best chance I would have to pull out the baby snow suit.

 

When Z was a baby he was given these two winter suit hand-me-downs. I have pictures of Z wearing it the exact same date 5 years ago (Z was 6 months old).



and I have SJ in the matching white one at 9 months old



and here is E at 5 months.



I know he is not smiling, but Z was the one behind the camera so I'll take what I can get. I do have a couple smiley ones from my phone.

Lastly I have some pics that I took of him wearing some of the cute clothes I found for super cheap at a consignment shop. I just can't keep up with him at the rate he is growing. He is now 18 pounds, wearing size 3 diapers, and 6-9 month clothes!

"pasture bedtime" 

Thanks for modeling Ezie!

To SJ on Her Third Birthday

A year ago we celebrated your second birthday. We threw a big party for you with family and friends and we had the best time. You were such a fun, cute, and fearless little two year old.

This was a big year for you because mommy and daddy took you to see a doctor, who told us to bring you to another doctor who told us that you can't hear! But that's not the only thing we found out about you this year. You are one sweet surprise after another.

We have learned that you are extremely independent.



 You don't mind if I take you to the bathroom, but if you have to go... (how should I say this?) #2 then you point to the door and shoo me out of the room so that you can have privacy.

One time you locked yourself in the bathroom and there was no key to get you out so daddy had to saw the knob off and break in to rescue you. You also like to dress yourself from head to toe. No matter how many times it takes you will keep at buttoning your shirt or tying your shoes until you get it right (or at least close enough). 

You have even tried to prepare your own meals, but it's usually something eccentric like a butter sandwich. One time you made a bowl of broccoli and marshmallows. You heated it in the microwave just long enough to melt the marshmallow. By the time I caught you you were shoveling it down with a fondue fork and you finished every last bite.

We have also learned that you are left handed, just like 3 of your aunts, even though only one of them is blood related.

We've learned just how very girly you are. You aren't afraid to play with trucks or get dirty, but you tend to gravitate toward dressing up, dancing like a ballerina, or wearing high heels. 
One time after a therapy session your teacher said that you were doing a sign where you wiggled your fingers under your chin and and she asked me what it meant? I told her it was the sign for dirty, icky, gross. She said that you were playing with a paper doll and when the teacher put a straw hat on the doll you wrinkled your nose and signed yucky then switched the hat to a tiara. She said you were very adamant about it.




We learned that you have a million different facial expressions and everyone you come in contact with usually comments on that fact.

We already knew what a good little sister you are 
and know we know you make a great big sister too!


Lastly we've learned that there is nothing that can hold you back.

Yesterday we celebrated your third birthday. We threw a big party for you with family and friends and we had the best time. You are such a cute, fun, and fearless little three year old. 

All About The Cochlear Implant (CI)

"I have a question about the implants ... does the part that is on the outside of her head stay on all the time (even at night and during bath)? I was just wondering how bath time works and bedtime (can she only sleep on her back? is she able to comfortably sleep on her side, is the outside piece water proof)?"

A couple weeks ago my friend left this question as a comment and I wanted to not only answer it, but to give everyone the inside scoop about how a cochlear implant works and reveal some of the mystery behind the bionic ear without getting too technical. 

First of all during surgery the Doctors implanted the CI's internal parts into SJ's skull. Amazingly her surgeon made the incision behind the ear and then pulled the skin back to drill a well into the bone and embed the device just under the skin. 

The image above shows the internal device.  You can feel a bump on both sides of SJ's head. It's pretty obvious where it is, but not something you would notice without looking for it. You can see a scar and the bump in this photo, but this was right after surgery so her head had been recently shaved and the cut is fresh. She was wearing her processor on her ponytail at the time to allow her ear to heal.

There are many parts to the cochlear implant and they all have specific names, but lets just go with layman terms for now.The external device looks like a giant hearing aid with a wire, that sends the information from the microphone, then to the magnet, then to the internal parts. When the magnet comes off the sound goes off too. 

 

The INTERNAL part is completely water proof, "sports proof", and from what I understand feels like it's not even there. However, having a magnet means she can't go through metal detectors or have MRI scans.  

The EXTERNAL part is considered water proof, but there are some stipulations. She can wear it in the bath, but we take it off to wash her hair. She can wear it at a water park or in the rain. She can not wear it swimming deep under water or submersed for more than 30 minutes. Some of the other CI parents I have talked to actually feel more comfortable taking it off for swimming altogether or having their child wear a special swim cap.  

 SJ is not supposed to sleep with her processors on. I have heard of some adults that do, but it is recommended that the skin gets a chance to "breath" and that makes sense. It's also a good time to recharge the batteries and put let the device air out in a drying container. 

To answer Tracey's question the part on the outside of her head should be on every waking hour. I am not sure what we will do when she starts swimming, but I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. When we went sledding we took it off because we can't afford to loose a $50,000 piece of equipment in acres of snow and I've heard the same rules apply in the ball pit!

It's still a little strange to have her hearing be controlled by remote and powered by batteries. It's been 4 months since the first surgery and I feel like I know just enough to get by. Someday SJ will be the owner of her "ears", but for now the whole family is responsible for them. We all, including Z, are learning together and working together as a team. Eventual it will be 2nd nature.