November 2007

We had our first meeting today with Ellis's "new speech therapist." I put that in quotes, because I'm not sure if we'll keep her. She drove me crazy. I'll give her a few sessions to find a groove, but if it ain't groovin' I'm ditching her.

We wanted to add another therapy session per week, in addition to the one we're getting from Totally Awesome Speech Therapist at CHOP. I was optimistic, because speech therapy has been rockin' so far. Basically, as I described to someone earlier, Awesome Speech Therapist empowered our whole family from day one. "New Speech Therapist" made me cry in the car.

(It really humbled me, too. I can see how many wonderful situations God has put in our path, situations that we just sort of "accidently" stumbled into. When I glimpse into how worse it could be, I am so thankful.)

I also feel confirmed in our desire to stick close to the School for the Deaf. It is a much different place than a Classroom for the Hearing Impaired. *gag* The Deaf School values my son differently, and after today, I wanted to gather myself around Ellis and run from that place, protecting him from awful vibes. Maybe my pregnancy hormones are overreacting. He had fun playing with all the toys, and I doubt he felt any different. I'm the one who felt awkward, and I found myself signing to him while we there, because it was the "safe" language.

"New Speech Therapist" didn't really listen to me when I tried to explain where E is in his CI development. I realize that this was just the first time, but you know, she didn't do a whole lot to get to know E, where he is with his CI, how his signing fits in, his personality, or even our educational goals for him. She involved me minimally, and Awesome Therapist is in constant dialogue with me, like we're real partners. I'm not stupid, you know. Anyway, I was pretty pissed off when we left. And I cried in the car.

At least we got to stop at IKEA on our way home. Nothing like a romp around Swedish paradise to soothe rumpled spirits.

Unlike last year when the cameras were going from start to finish, I only managed to get a few shots of my cute kid in the beautiful fall yard. My parents are probably moving soon, and I'm just drinking up the last days we have in their incredibly comfortable house and yard and FIREPLACE! I think I will miss the yard the most. And setting Ellis free in it.

I arrived Tuesday evening with a huge amount of stuff, mostly fabric and a sewing machine. I had high hopes. Wednesday the cousins arrived. I sewed a little. Chris came for the night. Thursday we woke to the smell of turkey, which roasted overnight. It was nice to lie there with my stomach growling and think, "Mmmm. It's Thanksgiving." I gotta say, it was a darn good turkey this year, too. It had to have been, because the 22lb turkey was consumed IN ENTIRETY in less than 24 hours by 4 siblings, 1 spouse, 2 cousins, and 2 parents, and I think Ellis may have eaten 5 bites. Potatoes were more his thing.

The Macy's Day parade was viewed. Football games put on. Helping mom in the kitchen. Dinner consumed. The noise level was very high between 4 siblings, 1 spouse, and 2 cousins. It had to have been, because my mom actually asked us to speak one at a time. That didn't work. We all fit around one table.

Grandma was visited in the retirement home. Hugs given all around. Great-grandson gets the most points for being Absolutely Adorable.

Sat around the fire for pie later, but mom forgot to put the sugar in the pumpkin pie. I did that once. It's sad. Thankfully, she was on a roll earlier and on a whim made two apple pies, too. Which I also enjoyed for breakfast the following two days.

Football abandoned for Paris, Je t'aime and turkey sandwiches. Did I mention the fireplace?

Friday and Saturday I sewed, we shopped...strategically. Popping in Amish stores and markets in Lancaster. i found handmade things for Christmas gifts and came back laden with oranges and apple cider. We got Ellis a rake and a broom just his size. He always wants to help.

A cold wind blew on Thursday night. All the leaves blew off the trees. It was like Charlie Brown. All the leaves in a pile around the tree where they fell off. A thick layer of gold on the ground. I admit, I hate raking leaves mostly because I think the leaves are so beautiful on the ground. Regal carpets.

4 siblings, 1 grandson, and 2 cousins ate all of the food. I went home tonight. The school bound leave tomorrow. I texted my parents as I left, "Milk all gone." I just didn't want cereal to be a disappointment in the morning.

Today was warmish and rainy with a cool breeze. It felt snuggly. I had this strange urge to go to the Art Museum. Something about the fall color and snugliness of it all was inspiring. Taking Ellis to the Art Museum is something I've been meaning to do for awhile; it's been too long. We brought our friends Maddie and Her Mom. I think they were the only children in the entire museum, and I was relieved for the majority attitude towards them welcoming, helpful, and warm.* Their enjoyment of the museum was moderate. I think they enjoyed looking at some pictures. We had fun pointing out features of different paintings: yellow flower, guy riding on horsey, lady wearing red hat, etc. They were distracted by eachother and their own tiredness. It was a spur of the moment trip; next time I should go in the morning. We took our snacks to the cafe where the moms splurged on drinks and the kids unwound a little, driving home in the dusky canopied by the fall glory.

I'm really excited about bringing the Philadelphia Art Museum into our life this winter. I think I will buy an individual membership, which will be affordable with Christmas money, and if Chris wants to go will pay each time for him. The membership basically pays for itself in four visits, and I expect I will have more time to go than he does. Ellis is still free for quite some time. yay!! And they have some stuff that i'm eager to do with E, like "Tours for Tots" with a different theme each month.** We live in a great city, and I feel like I should be taking better advantage of it.

* I think I probably got the most amusing reaction to E's CI yet. The coat check girl (who was a little hipster) saw the little red light blinking that let's me know if it's working said, "what a cool sparkly thing on his head!" I really doubt she knew what a CI was. It made me laugh. Now the CI is the Cool Sparkly Thing.
** Grrr. Just looked at the schedule. EVERY-SINGLE-thing is scheduled on a Sunday. How inflexible!!!

Yay! I've finally gone Flickr Pro!!! Which means the pics over my 200 quota for display as a plebian member are now visible again. Here's E just over 2 years ago. Can you believe it?!