It's Great to 'Hear' Good News!

This morning Joseph had his ABR hearing test, and the results came back wonderfully! The results from the ABR confirmed there is normal hearing in both ears! No hearing loss was found, as once was a concern (posted in this blog) of the audiologist at Kosair Children's Hospital.

We started out bright and early...actually before it came 'bright' (7am!)...and made our way to the sedation area within the hospital. Joseph was not ready to go back to sleep, but reacted to the sedation medicine as predicted. Within 20-25 minutes, and after restyling my hair, saying "down" repeatedly, kicking and squirming, the medicine got the upper hand in order for the ABR to be performed. Despite the resistance to sleep, I took great pleasure in holding and rocking him to sleep. I was reminded of the days in his nursery when he was a wee one.... Oh, I digress!

Once completely asleep, I carried him down the hallway to the audiologist department, where the ABR was completed in 45 minutes or so. I was right there when Joseph woke up...He was in a groggy and good mood, and was thirsty. The anesthesiologist gave him some Sprite in a sippy cup to make sure he could swallow without trouble, and all was a green light for our little boy! He LOVED the Sprite, which I thought would be a special treat over apple juice or water.

Joseph was still unsteady on his feet when we got home. He wasn't ready to take a nap right away, although he was still weak. He finished his Sprite and ate a small pack of pudding while cozied up on the sofa watching Little Bear. His blue hat made it all better!



I'm so thankful that there is no hearing loss. I know this is small potatoes for those parents who have children with greater struggles. I just feel like our little boy has overcome enough already! And, I'm so glad I no longer have to worry about the possibility of hearing aides or ear tissue damage!

He's taking a great nap right now, which is what I hoped for. Sleeping off the medicine is the best way to get it out of the system.

Here's to healthy hearing while waiting for him to wake up so I can smother him with hugs and kisses!!!

xoxoxoxox

Sticking To My Day Job

The Little Ones are sleeping soundly in their beds... I thought I would take a few moments to share an update.

Yesterday Mom and my nephew, Jimi, came to visit. I had to reschedule Joseph's ABR since he has a cold virus. These symptoms reared their ugly heads Monday then worsened through the week. I was holding onto promise that it was just allergies, but I was proven wrong. One virus down....how many to go? We had much more fun hanging out than being sedated for an ABR, despite the coughs and runny nose:


Jimi--I cannot believe he will be twelve soon!

Mom and Chloe-
it's a little cloudy, but it's a shot! Beautiful Sissy is still working on her first tooth!

My Dad and Em came over this morning and brought with them a wonderful surprise! James and I were just saying that we needed to buy one for this season! They also came packing goodies of cereal, juices, and crackers--all of Joseph's favorites. We had a fun catch up visit while Joseph carried all the goodies into the living room to share with us!

Today I am missing out on a get together that I organized at my friend Val's house. (Good goin', right?) The girls still manage to get together, and especially now that we have children tales to swap. There's fun to be had! Leigh, Valerie, and Lacey were planning to be there. Alhough we have kept in touch over the phone, I have not seen Leigh since a bonfire gathering last fall...and it's that time again! Can't wait to her at this year's bonfire! My longtime friend Lacey recently purchased a new camera (for her upcoming business venture!!!) and was planning to take a few shots of the Little Ones. I was really looking forward to that, so we're tentatively rescheduling that date. I'll definitely show off her talent when we have some pictures that she's taken. And, Val, I'll probably not see her until after the holidays! ha! Her Little One turned 1 last month.

I better cut this short before the Little Ones wake up and I run out of 'chore time'.

One last parting gesture before I go (from Joseph):

"Ode to Ill"

It's not a thrill to be ill
better liquid than a pill
coughs, sneezes, and snots be nill
healthier soon and never still

A Serving or Two or Three

A whole week without posting? I cannot believe I'm guilty of this blogosphere crime! The 'real world' has kept me hopping. Seriously, if my to-do list gets any longer, it's going to grow arms & legs and run from me! And, my brain, well, it's already on system-overload, but I'm still able to finish sentences....that's a good sign!

a few servings on our plate:

~Joseph has an ABR scheduled for this Friday; I'm nervous because they'll have to sedate him with an oral medication. I'll be glad, though, if hearing loss is ruled out. At his last hearing appointment, the audiologist said she has concern that Joseph has trouble hearing high-pitched frequencies. Keep you posted....

~Someone has the sniffles. I hope it's only allergies and not a cold; otherwise, the ABR may be postponed.

~Meal planning- We need some grub! We also need fall clothes! We'll be out and about soon.

~Our 10 Year Wedding Anniversary is this month! We're planning an outing for ourselves to celebrate. Aaah, how do I love him? Let me count the ways.

~Chloe is in the beginning stages of First Steps. Joseph's physical therapist, Courtney, is going to take on Chloe to help her get that jump start in mobility. Everyone- watch out! Yesterday I had her up on her knees and hands and she was rockin' and rarin' to go!

~I have a whole list of crafty things I want to create and/or finish!

~Joseph received a haircut from Mommy Monday. Sitting still? Not in his vocab!

~Oh, keep everyone updated on the blog. (I better include this, right???!)

With all this mentioned, I am truly enjoying my days with the Little Ones. Next time I blog, I'll let you in on what Joseph and Chloe have been up to.


Watching a Signing Time dvd- I was able to get a shot of Monday's haircut- not bad!


There's something to be said about a little boy's shoes being kicked off and left on the steps outside. I realized his feet are not always going to be fit in these little shoes. I had to capture my feelings in that moment.

"These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things..."

We shared a great family day today!

James was off work and I was certain we would be steadfast and headstrong unpacking boxes, organizing our belongings. Rather, we lounged and played and made invisible the boxes that surrounded us! :) I even took an hour nap while both Little Man and Chloe-Chloe were sleeping. (a fifteen minute power nap turned one hour nap- the first eight minutes I remember thinking, "I have this and this and this to get done.....but, this feels so good..."

Joseph's speech therapist, Kim, came toting her goodie bags this morning and offered us encouragement about Joseph's progress. Joseph's sign knowledge has increased and he's vocalizing more sounds than during his last appointment. Kim is such a creative, fun, and thoughtful person. A great match suggested and paired with us from Courtney. Recently, Kim's company had decided to end it's in-home health care program. We're keeping our fingers crossed that she will continue in her field. We love her and she's great at interacting with little tots and their parents.

After naps and lunches, we took a stroll to Mid-City Mall to check out a nearly new shop. Closed. We walked around a few streets near our place, then made our way to Tyler Park ( I love the bridge! and the sloping hills to the park--great for sleigh rides!), where Joseph played and James pushed him on the swings. Chloe-Chloe even took a ride in a toddler swing and absolutely loved it. Gummy grins and giggles. Joseph thought it was too cool to get to swing next to his sister.

Another beautiful day "finding happiness in the Highlands" <-- the street banners on Bardstown Road have this slogan on them Oh, and I found out a duet group The Watson Twins, which I saw on Jay Leno a few nights ago, is from Louisville. Louisville = full of surprises

False Alarms Are Good News

As an overly paranoid mother, I took Joseph to the pediatrician's office this morning for what I thought to believe (self-diagnosed) as a middle ear infection. He has been somewhat fussy, tugging at his ears and not wanting to go to sleep. It turns out there was no middle ear infection, no strep throat, nor any reason to take him to the doctor. :) Dr. B. did say his throat was a little red from nasal drainage, possibly caused from teething.

False alarms are good news... and so are stickers from your doctor!

It's the holiday weekend and we are preparing for the annual Satterfield Family Reunion. I'm in the process of putting together some traditional family reunion games. Tonight, James is picking up the food and paper items we will need for a yummy spread. I will be busy wrapping up last minute details the next three evenings while the little ones are asleep.

Let's hope the cheerful invitations I recently sent help draw a crowd for what I'm anticipating to be a downhome good time (minus ants)!

Busy Fishing

Daddy and Chloe playing on the sofa

We've had a lot going on around here lately...no time to write... I'm sneaking in a few minutes here while the two little ones are napping and before I'm off to organizing the entryway closet (another project off the to-do list).

Tuesday was a busy day for us: Joseph's speech therapist came, Joseph had an appointment at the Neonatal Follow-up Clinic, and we visited Kosair's NICU to see the doctors and nurses that took care of him those first few months of his life. I've noticed a change in Joseph's speech, although Kim said it would be a gradual process of getting him to be more vocally expressive. We're more aware of his speech delay and what we can do to help him expand his vocab. We're including a few signs, which I can tell are making a difference. He seems to be more interested in learning, too.

Neonatal appointment: Good news and bad news.... Joseph is doing really well cognitively. The developmental therapist said that if he walked in her room and without her knowing his medical history she would think that he 'was just a normal kid for his age'. But, because she does know his medical history she thinks that all the childhood intervention we can get the better... I agree. The bad news is that Joseph isn't growing as he should; he has gained a little over 2 pounds in the past six months. He now weighs 22 lbs. and 2 oz. We're starting him on a Pediasure diet, replacing his whole milk. Dr. Devlin said that we'd be spending his college savings on it-- and we will be! I have a 'high calorie foods' list, too, of what Joseph should be eating. At first glance, I thought, "this is a heart attack....", but it's what's prescribed to get some meat on Joseph's bones! Dr. D. said this lack in growth could be because he is more active now; however, it should be watched closely and remedied since he was/is a preemie.

We had a wonderful time seeing the folks at Kosair's. One special nurse, Susan, practically came running when she saw Joseph. They played together for a little while before Susan had to go back to tend to a new arrival. Watching them play together took away the stuffy feeling I was having remembering all the times I walked up to the NICU window and asked to see our baby. After that, we walked back through the pedway; Joseph loved being above the trucks on the street! You should have heard the motor sounds he was making.

Among other news, I made Chloe a pipe cleaner flower that Joseph destroyed shortly after. James made Joseph a watch, which was destroyed too. Good thing pipe cleaners recycle! We're having a lot of fun with them. The one creation that Joseph hasn't destroyed are a pair of wide-rim glasses.

Here today.....


Gone today.....

We have a few new additions to our family..I told you that we were busy! They're our gill-having friends--fish! Joseph was so in love with Elmo's goldfish, Dorothy, that we decided to get a few fish of our own. We're now owners of six tetras. It's relaxing to watch them swim and explore in their world. We also bought a fish that Joseph can play with. He takes her to night-night with him, too!