promoting

Felt extremely sluggish today.

Went to the gym this morning and took advantage of some childcare. It was a slow grind. Barely made 3 miles. I may or may not do another 5K a week from Saturday. Will pay attention to the weather forecast, 'cause I'm not going to run in cold, wet, rainy.

Went over to this place that sells gently used kids' clothes and got rid of some of M's old clothes for store credit. I don't need new clothes for the boys, but you get more if you get store credit (like 50% instead of 40%0. I've been getting these Lunch Bots (this store has a lot of eco friendly kids' stuff, too). Adorable little stainless steel containers!

I'm going to start packing E's lunch. School lunch just isn't healthy enough. So between the fun cloth sandwich bags and these lunchbots, we're on our way to an eco-friendly lunch box. Ha!

I kind of crashed this afternoon, though, and the kids watched too much tv. Shame.

This evening was Ellis's classroom open house. He explained in great detail every tiny aspect of his day. It was great fun!

And then GRE study time. I've been stalled in a morass of GRE hate for the past several weeks. But I stopped and got some index cards and new pens and pencils. I think I have a new strategy and hopefully can get some good study time in because the stupid thing is two weeks from tomorrow.

Insert Major Panic here.

I don't want to put it off, though. I just want it over with.

Today Chris and I were on our first parent panel. We were asked to come to a regional meeting that the State Dept of Ed sponsors for those who are service providers for children with hearing loss. There were people in the room from all over eastern Pennsylvania. Also on the panel was another mother of a kid from PSD; her daughter was in E's class last year. And a mother whose kid was in an oral program. All three kids represented are going into Kindergarten next year. It was a good experience. I hope we were able to be helpful.

I thought I would list the questions and the answers that we prepared. We didn't really follow them as a script, but it was helpful to write out something to organize our thoughts. And also, the usual caveats...this is what is good for our family, but I think there are some general thoughts that anyone going down any deaf educational path could find some benefit from.

1. Please share how the news of your child’s diagnosis was shared with you and what information and resources were given to you at the time of diagnosis.

We came to understanding of Ellis's diagnosis gradually. It took us awhile to understand what the "referred" meant after he failed his newborn hearing screen. We had an appointment with an audiologist at Temple Children's that was not helpful at all when E was 2 months. When E had a "no response" on his ABR, he said that didn't tell him how much hearing loss that he had. This audiologist only told us that E had "some hearing loss" and gave us an Early Intervention number to call for our county. It wasn't until E was around 7 months old and we transferred to CHOP did we get a clear diagnosis of profound sensorineural bilateral hearing loss. And we were already happily enrolled in an EI program. The audiologist at CHOP introduced us to hearing aids and was the first to suggest that he may be a candidate for a cochlear implant.

2. Describe your and your family’s feelings at the time of diagnosis and what type of support (if any) that you found helpful during this time.

I think it did help that we came to a gradual understanding of his hearing loss. We had no defining, black-and-white moments where a diagnosis was handed to us, the unsuspecting parents. But overall we were actually very calm and accepting. To us it didn't seem like a tragedy. All we saw was a healthy, happy baby, and walking through a children's hospital where babies are fighting for their lives really puts things into perspective. I think the Early Intervention support we received from PSD was the most helpful. Our home visitor became a vital part of our life those first couple of years, and we still keep in touch with her.

3. How was the Communication Opportunities shared with you and your family? Do you believe that all options were equally available to you and presented to you in an unbiased manner?

I do believe we were presented with all the options in a very fair way. When I first made the call to Montgomery County's Early Intervention, I was asked whether or not I wanted to sign. At the time, I didn't know not-signing was an option. I just assumed that all deaf people signed. We all remember Linda from Sesame Street, right? When presented with the question, I did ask for some clarification, and the woman gave me brief descriptions of the programs at Clarke and at PSD. I remember jotting down in my notes that she seemed to be nudging me towards Clarke. But still by the end of that conversation I couldn't fathom a reality of not-signing.

When we began our Early Intervention with a teacher of the deaf from PSD, one of the first things she did was to make sure we truly understood all our options. We had a tour of Clarke [oral school], of PSD. She gave us things to read. We really felt like we could ask her anything and make any decision we felt comfortable making.

4. When and how did you come to a decision of what communication option(s) you were going to use and do you believe you had access to qualified professionals in your choice of communication?

From the first day when hearing loss was even brought to the table, our commitment to Ellis has been that he have as much access to everything that might help him. We learned that if he is to have 100% access, that ASL must be available to him, and that he must continue to learn it as well as we would expect a hearing kid to speak. But we also want to give him the benefit of a cochlear implant. His right ear was implanted when he was 2yo and speech therapy and a high auditory access classroom at PSD are part of his IEP, in addition to instruction in ASL. In order to be truly bilingual, he must be allowed to develop to the maximum of his potential in BOTH languages. So that he may easily choose how he moves through his adult life. For us, we felt like we were limiting his life choices if we chose only one mode of communication. In our house, learning another language is par for the course, and ASL is no different.

I do think we were given excellent resources and opportunities. The Mont Co EI and then preschool division bent over backwards to make sure we had just the IFSP/IEP we needed for our bilingual approach. Even though it was a little outside the box for them. PSD also offered us a lot of extra opportunities that weren't "on the books," such as a Deaf Mentor program and the shared reading Program, where a Deaf adult would come into our home and help us learn how to read children's books to Ellis in ASL.

5. As parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, we need to learn quickly how to embed language learning into our home environments. What tools/skills did you and your family learn during the early intervention years to support your child’s language learning at home and in their community?

ASL was crucial. Ellis didn't get a CI until he was 2yo. Before then the hearing aid he had didn't give him an language benefit. If we hadn't signed, he would've had no access to language in those crucial 2 years. Because of signing, we have seamless communication if the technology fails. There was actually a time when the processor on his CI and his backup CI both failed simultaneously. It was crazy and it took a long time to figure out. And then they have extra time getting a replacement with a processor, because it has to be programmed.

It's great to have more than one modality for language if technology fails. There is always language, be it ASL or spoken English. We never lose. It's always win. Language is the goal.

6. Please share with us any advise you believe would be helpful to another family who will be on this journey after you.

Another mother brought up the good point, that it's up to the parent to be an expert in everything at the IEP meeting. To really understand what's going on so as to be a good advocate for the child. And then I thought one step further, it's great to do this for the sake of your child. And hopefully it will show them how they can gradually take ownership of their own advocacy, so that they can stand up for what they need.

But we brought to the table to answer this question was this: Talk to Deaf adults. They're lovely people, and they want to tell you that being Deaf doesn't limit them from doing the things they want to do. They want to show that being deaf isn't scary. No matter which mode of communication of avenue of education you choose, there will always be deaf adults on the other side. Talk to them. They will give you a more wholistic picture of your child than just the speech banana your audiologist gives.

In February, I'm going to blog about things I love. Anyone care to join me?

One of things I love is DIY. Do it Yourself! Maybe because in an alternate reality, my family would've been pioneers on the prairie. Why buy anything that you could make? with stuff you already have? I've always had to be thrifty, so that feeds into it, too. In fact, I think a lot of what is considered all that is "green" is actually just plain ol' thriftiness.

So anyway, I sew stuff, make stuff from scratch, reuse and repurpose stuff. Obviously I can't do everything, because I have two kids and limited time. So I pick and choose as I can.

I was excited to see this book making its rounds in blogosphere last year, and I finally got my hands on it with my Christmas money. Though for approximately $7, it's not prohibitive at all.

Make Your Place: Affordable & Sustainable Nesting Skills

It's a book about making whatever you need for keeping house using natural, non-toxic ingredients, with sections for health and first aid, personal hygiene, home cleanliness, and gardening.

I'll admit, I get bogged down by more complicated homeopathic stuff. But this is presented really clearly so that someone like me who doesn't know much more than to put aloe on a burn can really benefit and learn a lot.

Then there's recipes for any cleaning product you could possibly want to make, using all non-toxic ingredients. And we do try to keep toxins at a low around here.

It's a very practical no-nonsense guide for keeping house.

I really the perspective that the author brings:
"I came to realize that my skepticism about the importance these acts was based on a cultural belief that the domestic sphere is somehow less important than the public sphere. Which, of course, is such a load of crap... Chief...is the idea that DIY is about making even the tiny bits of our lives intentional: we focus our energy on what we know is right for us, rather than what is dictated by a market or culture." (pp2,7)

I can't wait to try stuff.

I do love my alma mater. I think I had a pretty good Christian college experience. As a four year liberal arts school, I got a fantastic education that more than amply prepared me for grad school. (And I tried out almost every major before I finally settled on two...and a minor.) It wasn't too fundy, basically the only major rules that affected my daily life were no drinking and smoking during the school term, go to chapel, and observe open dorm rules (and then I think there was the part about not returning library books late, but since I lived in the library, that only affected me a little bit). I made friends for life. I still keep up with a few profs. It really felt like the ideal experience. (And yes, it's on top of a mountain.)

I like telling people about Covenant College. If that's the kind of place you're looking for, then I hope you go there, because I don't think you'll do much better! At least...I think so. Truth is, I'm not sure. I've been kind of out of the loop. Their periodical news magazine reaches me every few years (despite the fact that I've only had two addresses since I graduated eight years ago). Sometimes I get postcards about new buildings. I definitely get phone calls and letters requesting money. And usually I'm happy to give even $10, because at the end of the day, it's the percentage of alumni giving that carries the most punch. These are two things I do to support Covenant College, an occasional (and I mean to make this more regular!) financial gift (no matter how small!) and telling people about it, so that they go there, too. (Like my little sister. *grin*)

Anyway, so good institutions grow and change. The economy forces them to make hard decisions. And gradually I start hearing weird things about Covenant, like huge faculty lay-offs and huge athletics boosts. It sounds strange to me, like I'm not looking at MY college. The important things to do when you start hearing weird things is to research and to talk to people who know more than you do.

I am so thankful for the people who have taken the time to talk to me during what is a very busy time on the academic schedule. At the end of the day, I feel like I know...not much more. But I do have reassurances from people who know more than I do that the College is not veering from its historical mission. I'm glad for these.

As I continue to talk to people, I find that things are more complicated than I thought at first glance. Things still don't line in my head as much as I would like, so a couple of friends and I thought we'd create a safe, constructive place to address the powers that be and to talk to other alumni. Hence, the Covenant College Alumni Round Table. This is NOT a place for a Vent Fest or for accusing. It is a place of collaboration and inquiry. We all have the good of the college and its people at heart. If you're a Covenant Alum, I'd encourage you to visit there. You may also be interested in signing the letter that we will submit to the leadership in a few days.

I think it's important for the alumni to stay connected (at least a little bit) with the major growths and changes of the college, since we are a little bit invested. On a personal note, one of my current fascinations is the changing nature of higher education in general. I'm excited to see where Covenant will go with that.

Today is February 10. The day in which the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act comes into orbit. If you recall, this is the hastily written law that didn't take into considerations the thousands of small business, crafters, and artists when it created steep lead-testing standards.

But our country is great, and voices can be heard. The fight to Save Handmade is still going strongly. There's a one-year stay on enforcement of the law, while they sort out the details.

The law is a good idea. The presence of lead and phthalates in toys in concerning, and I'm glad Congress is finally doing something about. I've been concerned about letting my kids play with too much plastic/certain kinds of plastic. I'm not insane-o about toys when we're out and about, but I try to minimize them at home, not that we don't have our Legos or anything. Bad plastics are scary, though. Eeew. So buying toys and children's products from small companies and handmade sellers is a great alternative!

So, please, folks, don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

I spent several hours this afternoon cutting out fabric for handmade gifts. It's no secret around here that I love making things and value handmade things. So it is with great shock that I came across this information jeopardizing the local handmade toy industry in our country. (ht to kristen)

In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick. Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.
...
The CPSIA simply forgot to exclude the class of toys that have earned and kept the public's trust: Toys made in the US, Canada, and Europe. The result, unless the law is modified, is that handmade toys will no longer be legal in the US.

If this law had been applied to the food industry, every farmers market in the country would be forced to close while Kraft and Dole prospered.

what can we do? contact your elected officials. It's actually very easy. I've never done it before until now. But there's a handy-dandy little form and you just submit your letter electronically. Kind of makes me wonder how many bazillion letters they must get. But that's what the staff is for, right?

from the internet buzz out there, the crafting community is very concerned! understandably!!!

You can watch the documentary, The Business of Being Born, free-streaming online: here.

I've already written about it. But I thought I'd put in an extra plug. Upon rewatching it, I'd highly recommend it to women are pregnant for their first time (or any time!) or wanting to become pregnant, because it really goes into the choices you have and gives clear information that your doctor might not be as forthwith about (like about Pitocin and stuff).

My two cents.

Anyway, I rewatched it this weekend hoping it would be a little pep rally, but it wasn't really. I'm trying to take each day at a time.

Reminding myself that weeks of prelabor will probably hold me in good stead at the end. In the meantime, I'm very tired. And thankful for all the graciousness friends and family are bestowing upon me.

It seems that everyone in blogosphere is reporting the invasion of the snot monster into their homes. Thankfully, we seem to be avoiding coldiness (knock on wood).

I wanted to put in a plug for something we use when the snotties visit: Warming Vaporous Rub, which I happened to find at Whole Foods--though I'm sure it's not hard to find a basic rub like this (or even make your own). It's a rub containing pine, peppermint, lavender, thyme, and yarrow essential oils. We used this a lot when E was a baby. It smells so nice and really brings a lot of relief for average snotties. (Something else you could do is just put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the vaporizer or bath.)

Here's to babies who can breathe better!

This afternoon Chris and I went to see a showing of the documentary I mentioned a little while ago, The Business of Being Born. It actually was a little better than I thought it would be. I knew it would be polemical and emotional, and it was those things--how could it not be? childbirth is a powerful, emotional experience. It was also informative, balanced, and moving.

The film opened with some shocking statistics: did you know, for instance, that of all countries in the western, developed world?
* the U.S. has the second worst infant mortality rate
* the U.S. has a 30% C-section rate (read 1 out of 3 women) compared to other western country's 5%
and
* and in other western countries 1/3 of births are homebirths, compared to the U.S.'s 1%

The film followed the pregnancies and births of a few women, included conversations with OBs, midwives, and midwifry celebs like Ina May Gaskin and Michel Odent, and incorporated a brief history of OB practice in America.

American women simply don't have good information about childbirth, and that is what the film really addresses. An intervention-free, natural childbirth is going to be safest for mother and baby in 90% of pregnancies. But the average American woman doesn't have the information of what she can do and is instead fed fear. For the remaining percent for whom intervention is necessary, the film has a beautiful, moving section that incorporates that, but the decision for intervention was a very well-informed decision. The film was about the need to have good information, and not to let insurance companies or doctors who are trained surgeons or the fear of litigation to get in the way of what millions of women having been doing for thousands of years.

Netflix will release the DVD on Feb. 26, and I highly recommend putting it on your queue. It was a beautiful film. (And a good pep rally for me as I'm feeling a bit down in the doldrums of mid-pregnancy.)

as seen at in process