Elwyn

 

 

This girl melts my heart...

 

Back in October, I received a phone call from the speech therapist at Elwyn's school. She was letting me know that Elwyn did not pass her hearing test. She asked me if she had a cold, because they could be a good reason why she didn't pass. Well of course my answer was "Yes", she ALWAYS has a cold. She let me know they had tested her in September, and she didn't pass at that time either. It was time to move forward and have her see the District Audiologist, free of charge. Ok, let's do it!

 

I took Elwyn in soon after and we found out she had minor hearing loss. The Audiologist assumed it was from fluid build up in her ears. She wanted to 'track' her hearing for a few months to see if it would hopefully get better on its own. We returned for another test in November and again in December. Each time her tests came back pretty much the same, although she continually switched back and forth as to which ear was hearing better...what a weirdo!!! At her appt in December we decided to make an appt with the pediatrician to see if antibiotics would work. We finally got into see the Dr. in January, she took the antibiotics, we went back to test again a week later and her hearing had dropped significantly. She now had moderate hearing loss. It was time for tubes.

 

The last appt with the audiologist was on a Tuesday, we saw the ENT that same week on a Friday and she had tubes put in the following Thursday. That was a busy week!!!

 

Her surgery went fine...we have to remember that this is her THIRD surgery..she's a champ! She wasn't scared, she was excited...because she knew she would get ice cream and popsicles to follow:) Rich took her to the surgery, since we didn't have a sitter for Rowan. This is also the third hospital we have done surgery at. So each time has been a new experience. She was the only child not crying in the pediatric recovery room. Rich said it was so loud in there from all the kids. She had a smile on her face the whole time. What a sweet girl. Rich texted me to tell me she had a popsicle in one hand and grape juice in the other...she must have been in heaven, lol:) And of course the nurses LOVED her...she even came home with a sack full of cookies...little stinker!

 

So far she seems to be able to hear alot better. She complains of it being too loud...thanks to her little brother screaming. We will return to the ENT for a follow up appt, and then again to the audiologist to make sure everything is the way it should be. Since she had so much fluid in her ear (the Dr called it 'glue ear'), we are hoping the tubes will stay in. If they fall out too soon, she will need to go back in and have it done again...I'm not paying for that! The ENT also wanted to cauterize some vessels in her nose, because she gets nose bleeds...but we thought alot about that procedure and decided against it. There was a chance he could perforate her septum when cauterizing, and we didn't feel her nose bleeds are bad enough to take that chance at this time. Oh the joys of having expensive children...

2013

Here we are again, writing another yearly update of our lives! We just can’t believe how fast time flies!
 

Rowan celebrated his 1^st birthday in March. What a difference a year makes! He is a busy boy, and just as dramatic and loud as his sisters. He LOVES to eat…but for some reason, he doesn’t gain much weight (lucky!). He’s still tiny! He loves being in charge, and has taken over the rule of the house. Elwyn does not appreciate that! Rowan keeps us on our toes, both day and night. He’s such a boy!!! In March, Rowan came off the pulse oximeter that measured his heart rate and oxygen saturation while he slept. No more beeping in the middle of the night!!! And he’s wire free!!! It’s been so nice. His lungs are still sensitive, so when he catches a cold…it lasts a lot longer than normal. We are still careful about germs. Sadly, I can’t keep him in a bubble…even though I have tried! We feel so lucky to have this little boy. He is such a blessing.
 

Elwyn has just about had it with her brotherJ I always said if I had another baby, she would burn the house down! She recently prayed that, “Rowan would learn to share mommy and daddy.” Poor little girl, I really do feel bad for her. She really does love her brother, some days…J Elwyn turned 7 in October and celebrated by having a ‘My Little Pony’ party with her friends. She loved every minute of it, and enjoyed being the center of attention. She is in first grade and LOVES to learn. She is reading, writing, and doing addition and subtraction. Elwyn is still dancing and she played softball once again this past summer. She suffers from minor hearing loss; we are hoping it is due to fluid in her ears and not me yelling too loud. She will most likely need tubes. Don’t tell her that though, she will have a cow if she knows she has to have surgery again.

 

Willow is getting so old!!! I still remember bringing her home from the hospital, 10 years ago. Sadly that means I am getting old too! Willow is in 5^th grade and loving every minute. She still loves to read, and we can’t keep enough books on our shelves. She is in the French club at school. She really enjoys learning new things. She is constantly telling me facts about EVERYTHING. Sometimes I tune her outJ Willow is a great big sister. She is a big help, and she and Rowan have the cutest relationship. She is very loving and caring with him…too bad she’s not that way with ElwynJ Willow is still dancing. She also plays basketball and softball. Her softball team even made it to the tournament this year, which was exciting!
 

Rich is on to year eleven with Sam’s. These days, being with one company for so long is rare but it does have its benefits. For one, he writes the schedule for the entire management staff, which comes in handy a lot of the time. Rich took the girls snowboarding for the first time this past year. Willow enjoyed it, Elwyn, not so much! I think she will just stay home with me next time they go! Rich continues to work in scouting with the 11 year old age group. Rich is looking into transferring out to his company’s home office with the anticipation of working in talent development and/or training. 

I am still doing the ‘mom’ thing. Now that Rowan is older, I’ve been able to get back to doing things outside the home. I am helping out at the school a lot more, and I still teach dance. This year I am teaching both Willow and Elwyn’s classes. They are finally to the age that I can be their teacher, and it’s fun!!! I don’t know if they think it’s fun thoughJ 
 

We miss you all and wish you a Happy Holiday!!!

Rich, Liz, Willow, Elwyn and Rowan Wilson