Sunday, April 5, 2009

6 months hearing!

Have you ever stopped to think about just how remarkable the Cochlear Implant is? The fact that God has given man the ability to take a person who is profoundly deaf and give them sound is astounding! When I think about how drastically William has changed over the past 6 months, it almost always brings me to tears!
Take this picture for example.

Here he is singing along with "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider." He is even vocalizing!

Six months ago, William was completely silent, with no form of communication at all. We were doing some baby signs with him and we thought he understood some, but he did not really reciprocate. Now, he has several words that we are absolutely sure he understands. (NO LIP READING either, which he has also gotten very good at!)
When I say "drink," he does the sign. When I say "night-night" or "shhhh," he puts his finger to his lips. When I say "eat," he does the sign. When I say "more," he does the sign. These are all things I'm saying with my hand covering my mouth, so I know he's hearing and not seeing the words! What's really strange is: we had pretty much stopped using signs, trying to get him to listen, but he must remember.
He's also vocalizing much more, singing along with us, and pointing out new sounds a lot!

As I think about how good God is to man, giving us knowledge, talents, and abilities to do so much good, it makes me think about another time in history when man decided to use their talent for evil.
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." Genesis 11:4
We know from Scripture that God did scatter them and confused their language. We have a tendency to be prideful, thinking that everything is within our control. I am thankful that the majority of William's care providers realize that they are only men (mankind, as several of them are women!). I am thankful that they are willing to give it their all, then trust God for the rest. And that's exactly what we're doing...

On a lighter note, here is a fun picture of my little man.

He looks BIG to me in this picture! He is trying very hard to walk. He is always so proud of himself when he stands alone and we all clap for him! I LOVE that great big smile on his face when he hears us clapping!

And here's a disclaimer for all of you keeping count: I realize his "hearing birthday" is actually in 3 days, but that will also be his 2nd birthday, so I decided to post this a little early! Thanks for keeping up with us!

"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." Isaiah 58:11