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Today I had about 5 minutes of a life I had forgotten so long ago - a life where I could hear someone talking even with their back to me. A life where I could hear the A/C vent. It sounded like the ocean off in the distance. A life where maybe I wouldn't have to ask WHAT five times in a row. A life where maybe I could hear that story my father-in-law says for the 8th time in his very low tone voice. But that was all I got to experience before the audiologist removed the demo hearing aid. Now I have to decide if it's worth it to spend $3200 on. (yep my mouth feel open too) For the record, the audiologist first had me try a mid-range cheaper one, but that one sounded like I was talking in a microphone with a constant echo; didn't feel natural. I was really impressed with how small the behind the ear ones are. I pulled my hair back in a pony tail, loosened it slightly and you couldn't even see it! Well if you look close you'll see the clear tube that goes down to the ear canal, but you have to be looking.
Before I decide to spend that much dough, I'll bug the HR representative at my husbands company a few more times on trying to get the insurance plan to change to accept hearing aids. If anyone has a suggestion for battling them or Blue Cross Blue Shield I'm all ears. ha!
There is always the option to wait a half year and sign up for a flex spending account so we get a bit of a tax break next year. But that means waiting. And I've felt the sensation of full hearing again and I want it now, not in 7 months. And no telling if I'll even be at this job next year. And if I'm unemployed then it'd really be hard to justify that money. damn, sounds like I'm making a convincing argument so far. I'll keep you posted.

Jeff's twin brother and his wife welcomed James Redding into the world today. I think I've said this before but it really is exciting when your family starts growing. I could have never imagined I'd marry into such a wonderful family, and then to have a sister-in-law I have so much in common with just adds to it. I'm excited we'll get to share so many of our kids memories together. Allison and James are 14 months apart, and I hope they will grow up to be great friends.

Saturday we went to a friend's party for their little girl, Amelia, who turned 1. Allison was her usual happy self. I had to laugh at Amelia, a few times when everyone was fussing over her, staring and ooohing and awwing, she'd start crying. I remember the same type of reaction from Allison at her own party but she didn't get quite as worked up as Amelia. I'm hoping these two will be good friends in the future. Since they are both daycare babies, and all 4 parents work full time, getting together for playdates hasn't happened. Sucks how life just gets in the way of playing sometimes!



This party is also where Allison walked her first steps. She must have known that Amelia was walking before her and was younger and felt like she had something to prove. Just kidding - we'd seriously be in trouble if she were that smart with that kind of attitude this early!

This morning was a late morning for all of us. I had my follow up to see if my ear drum healed (it did- but I'm still practically deaf and yes it's close to causing fights of mis-communication and tears from me about getting a hearing aid before my 34th birthday but that is a long drawn out rant I don't want to get into). Allison had green gunk in her eyes on Sunday so we were afraid it was pink eye, so her appt was 9am. wow, long story to say we were both home this morning when she decided to take off walking again. back and forth. it was so cute! She took a brake for most of the remainder of the day to play sick kid - yep ear infection and conjunctivitis, but then she started walking again tonight.

Allison has been fascinated with little seats lately so I ordered her own chair. Ofcourse I got purple. It doesn't match anything but I like the color. It's a P'kolino Little Reader Chair. She's not the best about holding her own books, but she does love her own little chair. There was pure fascination about climbing all over a new item.