A Mother Hears Her Son's Voice

Check out this link to learn more about Cochlear Implants and a Mom hearing her son for the first time.  Yes you will need a tissue!  


http://www.aol.com/video/a-mother-hears-her-sons-voice/517665755?a_dgi=aolshare_email

Gung Hay Fat Choy - Happy Chinese New Year!

Gung Hay  Fat Choy  (Happy Chinese New Year)
 
Chinese New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. It is considered to be one of the most important holidays for Chinese families. The holiday is celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods and display of festive decorations--all focused on bringing good luck for the new year and celebrating the coming of Spring.

Before New Year's Day you want to buy new clothes or cut your hair in order to have a fresh start. Wearing black is not allowed due to its association with death, however, wearing red is encouraged as the color is associated with warding off bad spirits. Red means prosperity.

It is a traditional practice for adults to give children little red envelopes--hong bao in Mandarin or lai-see in Cantonese--filled with money in order to symbolize wealth and prosperity for the coming year. It is also common for elders to bestow red packets to unmarried members of the family. It is a sign of respect to bow three times in order to accept the hong bao. Envelopes are not to be opened until the recipient has left the home of the giver.

YEAR OF THE SNAKE - is meant for steady progress and attention to detail. Focus and discipline will be necessary for you to achieve what you set out to create.  Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve.  Tricia was born in the year of the snake  

Here is Kylie celebrating Gung Hay Fat Chow through the years.

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

And this Year 2013 - The Year of the Snake

This one is for you Gung Gung - Kylie practicing her Martial Arts Moves! 

Field Day

Today was Field Day at Kylie's School and Brian and I were fortunate enough that our work schedules allowed us to be there for part of the festivities.

 Kylie's class getting ready to enjoy field day

Kylie and Dad Playing Hula Hoop

 

Mommy and Kylie playing Jump Rope.  She just wanted to twirl the rope not jump it!

Kylie on the big wheel race.  That is her teacher Ms Grace to her left and Ms. McKinley her assistant teacher to her right

The class taking a break from the activities.  The grass was wet and Kylie didn't want to sit on it 

What's a field day without a potato sack race?

 

Kylie Bowling

The Class Jumping Around before the next event.  They loved the DJ

 

Kylie and her friend take a break from the action to action.  Kylie said, "My body wants rest!"

Time flies...

Wow, time sure flies by when your having fun! From baking to kicking to laughing! Here are a few pictures of what's been going on in the life of Kylie.

Baker Kylie! Besides eating cookies and cupcakes, she enjoys making them!

 

"Kicking, Kicking, Kicking!" At Kylie's soccer class!

 Grandma came down and took Kylie and Tricia to the Ringling Brother's Circus! Kylie was so excited to see all the animals and acts. Out of the 40 pictures Kylie took on her own, here are a few!

 Lions and Tigers, one of Kylie's favorite wild animals! Roar!

 "Doggies"

 Kylie was amazed by the 8 motorcyclist going "round and round"!

This is a special pic for all our friends and relatives up north! Nice and Sunny come and visit :P Lately, Mac and Kylie have been best friends. He lets her do everything to him, including play dress up and brush his hair!

Happy 2013

Happy New Year!  We were excited to ring in the New Year with some great friends and are filled with excitement of what the New Year will bring for each of us.

2012 was a roller coaster ride filled with ups and downs while we underwent various tests and procedures for Kylie's hearing loss.  We always took one day at a time and learned so much from Kylie.  We believe that Kylie doesn't let her "disability" get in her way at all.  She wakes up with a smile on her face and giggles as she goes to sleep each night.  She loves to interact with people even if she can't 100% communicate what she is trying to express.  She communicates with everyone she encounters each day whether it be a wave, a hello or a smile she just loves to spread small acts of kindness with all.  She is doing very well in the Pre-K program at her school and is performing at her or above her age level in all areas except speech.  2012 was truly a great year and it taught Brian and I many valuable lessons.

As we look forward to 2013, we are filled with joy and promise as Kylie is almost done undergoing the candidate process for cochlear implants.  What exactly does that mean?  Well in Kylie's right ear they have diagnosed her as deaf, her left ear is severe to profound hearing loss.  With her current hearing loss she will never hear or be able to say S, F, TH to name a few.  (Those are pretty important letters to have in your vocabulary to communicate)  With cochlear implants this will all change :)

A cochlear (koe-klee-er) implant is a device that provides direct electrical stimulation to the auditory (hearing) nerve in the inner ear. (Kylie would be "hard wired in) This type of hearing loss is sensorineural, which means there is damage to the tiny hair cells in the part of the inner ear called the cochlea. Because of this damage, sound cannot reach the auditory nerve. With a cochlear implant, the damaged hair cells are bypassed, and the auditory nerve is stimulated directly. 

Most likely, Kylie would get one implant at a time starting with the right ear first.  As this stimulation for hearing with a implant is different, Kylie will have to have weekly therapy to teach her to hear the simulations she is receiving to the brain.   A second implant would occur if deemed appropriate six to nine months down the road. 

We are most thankful for the EXCEPTIONAL Doctors, Teachers, Friends and Family that are part of our lives and supported us throughout 2012.  As they say it really takes a village. We are truly blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives and consider you all family! 

Kylie, Brian, Mac and I wish to you and yours a Very Happy New Year.  Remember life is short, bend the rules, forgive quickly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably and whatever you do, do it with a smile.  May God Bless you throughout 2013. 

Christmas on the Oasis

We were fortunate enough to sail on the Oasis of the Seas for Christmas and were joined by my parents (Gene and Pam).  We sailed the Western Caribbean itinerary and spent our days relaxing, playing or well surfing on the flowrider. We were having so much fun that pictures were very limited on our camera.  I think Grandma was taking them all on her camera instead.  What a great 7 Days and Santa even arrived onboard!!

Here are some shots from our character breakfast.  Kylie barely could eat she was so thrilled

Christmas Day

A Day on the Boardwalk on Oasis

Pirate Day on the Oasis - Kylie's Favorite Day

The Lum Family in Action

Kylie and Mommy Ice Skating on the Oasis.  Kylie wanted to make ice snow balls

Brian rode the Flowrider the entire cruise.  In fact the standing joke was where is Brian??

Kylie with her Adventure Ocean Friends perform ABC (Kylie is in the front in the neon shirt and yellow glasses)

Christmas at the Lum House

Making our Great Grandma's Chocolate Chip Balls a Straub Family Tradition!

Kylie got a soccer net and a glow in the dark soccer ball for Christmas from Gung Gung and Po Po.  S is one of the letters Kylie currently can't hear or say so to interpret she is saying Soccer Ball Soccer Ball. 

 We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and or a Happy Chanukah

Holiday Performance

Its been a fun filled week for Kylie as they had their Holiday Party/Performance and pajama dress up. Not knowing what to expect from a Pre-K performance, we were very pleased and it showed with a number of parents with tears in their eyes. Here are a couple recaps from this week. 

Mr. Elf surprises Kylie each morning! Today he decided to have some pizza for breakfast!

 

The class performed several holiday songs. Kylie really enjoyed it as she loves to sing and dance!

 

Pajama Day with homemade Santa pajama's made by Grandma! And yes, we did have to put on a long sleeves as it was getting into the low 60's today! To all our friends and family up north, stay warm!