Sometimes the smallest things are the hardest

A couple of days ago Aric & I were in the store Joann's. He had found a pair of spy glasses complete with listening device that he desperately wanted. My reply of "No" was not taken quite well at first. You see for a "hearing child" the listening device would have amplified sound significantly but for Aric the amplification on the spy glasses was less than what his hearing aid produces for him; therefore making it a hindrance and not an asset. After he got over the intial "no" and allowed me to explain that I wasn't just being mean mommy he understood but was therefore further determined to find a pair that were of better quality; mind you he is still in the process of elimination. Also, since Aric will be using his own money to purchase these ridiculously high priced ones he found; he is being quite diligent in making sure they are the real deal while he is researching.

It is not often when I have to remind Aric of his hearing loss because he has become quite dependent on his hearing aid and generally does rather well with it. Now since the surgery though, he has not been able to wear it and depends quite heavily on me interpreting or reading the other persons lips. He in turn has gotten quite frustrated with others from time to time.Why the frustration? You see most people assume because Aric has great speech skills that he has "normal" hearing. So when Aric says "huh", "what", "I didn't hear you" etc. that he just was not paying attention not there may be another underlying issue. For example, We were out shopping yesterday and I told Aric lets use the restroom before we head back since it was going to be rush hour here in Dallas. You all know murphy's law that all children have to go potty at the most inconvenient times. Anywho, Aric ran up to the sales lady in front and asked the woman for the key. He asked her, "May I use the key for the restroom?" she replied, "Yes, you may" but didn't move to get the key. He repeated himself again and she replied again but still didn't move. He tells her," I'm sorry but I don't hear very well and I think you said yes." she laughed and replied," yes , I did" yet still continued on folding shirts. Now I am closer to him and simply say, " We would like to use your restroom" the lady replies the key is on the counter there" as she points. I told her " I understand that you were probably waiting for a parent to be present due to a store rule but it would have been better for you to tell him that than to confuse him." she of course looked at me as if I was crazy. Needless, to say I could have been cray cray cuz truthfully I wanted to be but I have worked places where they do not allow only the child into the restroom due to the unfortunate misbehavior of others. She of course once we checked out finally realized when he said that he couldn't hear that he was not being patronizing due to the fact that him and I were talking and I was sign assisting. She then apologized to me and I told her that she didn't need to apologize to me but to him. Unfortunately, she didn't as she was an older lady and felt that she was above apologizing to a child.
These incidents in my life, I know God uses as not only teaching tools for me to help Aric because  he will experience this all his life. I say this not for people to pity him but to understand that having an invisible "disability" is worse than having a visible one at times. I have to therefore watch my demeanor and how I reply, so aric learns the correct way to deal with people. Truthfully, the mom in me wants to get in the womans face and berate her for being so inconsiderate and rude etc. If I do that, than who does that benefit? I choose to believe that it also becomes a learning incident for myself as well as onlookers.

Latest pics as of tues 8/26..stitches due to come out on 9/2, next tues

Comparison pic

Aric making faces cuz he is tired of me taking pictures..lol

Aric's groovy socks from his RMHD photo op :)

As time goes on...

Sorry for the delay in updates on Aric.  We have been making quite the progress this go round and so hopefully we will be able to go home probably as soon as the stitches come out. Really won't know until we see the dr. on Tues morn. Below are the pictures you all have been waiting for :)

Aric sleeping so sweetly ;)

Aric's new view from the front

Aric's right side with his new treachis and lots of swelling

Aric's new left ear tucked

( these pics were from Fridays dressing change)

Thursday afternoon the Dallas Zoo visited RMHD, background animal is an Opossum 

The Eagle owl

Jazz the pequin

Aric posing with Sid the pequin..who kept checking out his head dressing..Aric wasn't thrilled..lol

Aric & his friend Damien at the Royal a Gala of Horses

Royal Gala of horses

Valium has officially kicked in but the dr forgot my dose..lol

Today has been the long awaited day for Aric. He has been anxiously waiting for the day when the surgeon was going to detail out his allowing for hopefully it to look less like he was burned etc. The plan is to grove more in the upper cartilage of the ear, shave back portion of the bottom so it is thinner in appearance just as his other ear, move the sinus into place to serve as the treachis ( not sure on spelling), and the to reopen and separate the top space between ear and scalp. Then the left ear they will tuck back some. Also they will be doing some scar restoration on his chest after taking another skin graft.

 

The nurses gave Aric some Valium as he requested no liquids and they didn't want him to freak out when they wheeled him back to the OR. Once the Valium started to kick in the Aric antics began in full force. He had the pre/post op staff in stitches. He even became camera shy..lol. The whole ordeal is suppose to be 3 1/2hrs..time wise I truly don't care..I would rather the surgeon take as long as he needs to create his master piece :)

Aric blocking me.lol

Aric pretending to be shy..telling me no..lol

All the glorious markings :)

The common thread that ties us together....

It's interesting how despite our cultural, lingual & spiritual differences each one of us has a story that may connect us with another that we may not normally have spoken with. Every time I come to the RMHD house this is made apparent with the families of sick/injured children. The reason it stuck out more so this time is there is a family here who speaks French only and there is no interpreter in the house. Yet, the child had a birthday Sunday and understood the common language of cake :) Everyday as I sit & watch the child's interaction with others the desire to play  outweighs the language barrier. 

I often take for granted the ability to speak different languages, some I can not speak fluently but I know the important words and phrases :) The ability to be able to sign to my child has opened so many doors, one being that the mom of the child who speaks French recognizes some of the signs I have signed to Aric and therefore opened up an opputunity for me to communicate with her where others have not been able too. Gestures and facial expressions are a huge help too ( for all my ASL peeps, yes I know non-manual language..lol). It is a wonderful feeling to be able to sit across from another person and share a laugh based upon the common language of children at play; one mom to another. 

Below are some pics from our trip to the Dallas World Aquarium

Pics of Logan's future aquariums..lol

Leafy sea horses with some awfully familiar mushrooms :)

Look Logan just for you! Future tank inhabitant :)

I so want this coral next :)

Look whose living in Dallas..Showstoppers family member :)

New meaning of swimming with the fishes :)

Blue Belly Roller Birds...so cute in person

Yoda all grown ou ..lol

One false move flamingo and your shark food...

Am I A Storm Magnet?

 Yesterday's drive started off fantastic but quickly became a scene out of the latest movie "Into the Storm". Upon our arrival into  downtown Dallas as we were driving to the Ronald McDonald house crazy winds wrecked havoc and knock down lights. As we get closer to the home, the rain became heavier. Then out of no where, the rain was became a horrific torrential downpour that literally everyone stopped their vehicles where they were; middle of road n all...not even the windshield wipers were keeping up. To make matters worse, lighting was in abundance all around us. It hit power lines right above us & off to the side ..leaving the errie energy hum and sizzle in its wake. Trees were now in the midst of the frontage road to the home along with flooding. I thank The Lord that not only did he keep us safe but that he gave me the quick thinking to remember the back roads where not as many people travel. Despite all the crazy weather..Aric kept his cool; even when I told him that if a power line falls on the truck not to touch the doors or anywhere metal in the truck. Needless to say, this experience was scarier than driving alongside a tornado. Aric can now tell his bro that he may have gotten to the movie "Into the Storm" but Aric lived it! 

Blessed to have arrived in one piece, we were then blessed with the opportunity to go to the Cowboy & Raven  game. Did I mention with only 15 mins to spare before the bus left?? Lol Never a dull moment for sure..lol. Aric was so excited he could hardly contain himself. The bus was luckily able drop us off at the entrance due to it was still raining. Now that I officially look like a drowned rat it was time to take pics of the wonderful experience of first time ever at a NFL game. The game was great as we were rooting for the Ravens :) although, the cowbys were making a great effort at a comeback though just didn't quite make it. So in the midst of 3rd quarter, Aric & I decided to head down to the main concourse and fill in the empty seats :) Aric got the surprise of a lifetime..as we are about to exiti the elevator..none other than Des Bryant #88 was entering the elevator. Yes, I know he plays for the cowboys but that is one of Aric's fave players..in Aric's "Madden World", Bryant plays for Green Bay...lol. Aric was so starry eyed all he could do was wave but in turn Bryant did acknowledge him with a "Hey, sup?". We were rushed out of the way, so there wasn't even time for Aric to chat even if he could..lol..he was truly shell shocked with excitement :) the remaining quarter n a half were spent talking to other fans and more picture taking of Aric. Truly, a Great life experience for a lil boy who is a truly a sports fanatic:)

All the way at the top but still great seats!

Posing with the Dallas Cowboy Flag Boys