Activation day

Monday we spent much of the day at the audiologist's office getting Emily and Ashley's cochlear implants activated. When Emily's implants were turned on, her little lips started quivering, her eyes welled up with tears and she buried her head in Roland's chest. Ashley didn't give us any noticeable response until Thursday. I had just put her implant on when Emily flushed the toilet. Ashley burst into tears. We are to increase their volume every few days; then in 2 weeks we go back to the audiologist to get them programmed again-for more sound. (This goes on for several months.)

They are adjusting well. Keeping them on. We're learning all about environmental sounds now, like the vacuum, toilet, blender, mixer, etc.

Though that little implant looks harmless, each one came with this huge box of...well, we don't really know what yet...accessories, batteries, etc.... And this is only for one ear each! In a few weeks we go back to get the other ear activated!

First day of preschool

Emily and Ashley started preschool this week. It's a preschool for kids with hearing loss. They were excited, but of course didn't know what to expect. I could tell that Emily was nervous because she held her bear all morning, not even putting it down to put her shoes on. (She tucked it under her chin while she strapped on her sandals.) She carried her bear all the way to the classroom, but quickly dropped it when she walked into the room and saw all the toys...