Easter Holidays

Firstly a big hello to all my new readers! Over the Easter break I was thrilled to have been given the opportunity to share my blog with a growing community of parents with deaf children via the Aussie Deaf Kids newsletter. Aussie Deaf Kids is a great resource providing support and advice to families who are raising a child with hearing loss, I hope that by sharing our story with you, we too can help support you on your hearing loss journey.

After a very busy lead up to Easter with trips back and forth for Genetics appointments, Australian Hearing and Cochlear Implant Clinic hearing tests, we have enjoyed a well earned break. I am thrilled to report that we have noticed some positive changes in Jaime's responses since the adjustments were made to her right hearing aid. Her right hearing aid, initially set to 70DB has now been increased to 85DB, immediately we noticed that Jaime would pause when her name was called, she also appears to take note of loud environmental noises. Despite having hearing aids fitted at 7weeks of age, these are the first 'real' responses we have seen (aside from startling to very loud sounds).
After my rather miserable last post, I am again feeling upbeat, looking forward to Jaime's future.


Changes in Jaime's responses to sound haven't been the only celebrated developments over the past few weeks, we have taken great joy in watching Jaime learn to sit unaided, roll across the room to get to her favourite toys and take more of an interest in the world around her (including making friends with the family cat).

Jaime has also hit the 6month milestone! Hooray! I cant believe how fast the time has gone.
We have 'graduated' from Baby Play swimming to 6month old classes... After a short break for Easter it was great to see the joy on Jaime's face as we plunge back into the pool, I did note however, that in these more structured classes Jaime seems to 'zone out' during the songs and nursery rhymes. Whilst the other babies in the class seem to take joy in the silly songs and action words, Jaime misses out... at this point in time I am unable to assist with any sign as I have my hands full, as Jaime continues to progress we will develop our own way to communicate in the pool. I do need to stress however, that Jaime still LOVED her class, her face lights up whilst splashing around in the water (I have a 'proud mum' moment whenever someone comments on how at ease Jaime is in the water)

Taking a break from all of our appointments has reminded me that Jaime is just like any other baby, although I hate to admit it, with the constant reminder of specialist visits, it is hard to see past the fact that she is Deaf. This past few weeks I have been able to focus more on her regular milestones and marvel at how far she has come from our 'not so small' 10lb4 baby girl.