Catching up

Sorry we have been a little distracted lately, though I can't imagine why! I have a few posts that I've started the last two months and just haven't managed to put up yet, so I am posting them today, however, posting date reflects the date I started the posts, so don't be surprised if you think you missed something. Our picture updates can be found by clicking here.

There is something I haven't told (some of) you...

I didn't share it not because I didn't want to tell you, but because until recently we didn't have much information to tell. We finally got some answers on Friday, so now I will share with you what it is that I have been worrying about lately.

When your child is born you count the fingers and toes and take a general stock that all is present and accounted for. The pediatrician also does an exam and assures you that you have brought a perfect little baby into the world. So when we were told that Tristan did not pass his infant hearing screening in his right ear I was surprised and scared that my illusion of the perfect baby would be shattered so soon. We were told to wait two weeks and then repeat the exam, and not to worry (yeah, right) since we did not have any of the risk factors for hearing issues and while 10% of infants do not pass the first time, most will pass the second time. We didn't.

The second results were exactly the same as the first. Followed by more waiting for a test to confirm the screening results and determine the extent of the loss. We did an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test where I had to keep Tristan awake until his appointment at 2pm (this was impossible, but I managed to only let him have a total of about 20 minutes of sleep from 8am to 2pm), and then we had to hook him up to 4 electrodes to measure the activity in response to differing levels of sounds in each ear while he slept. We thought we would find out the results immediately, but were then told the doctor would call us after she had reviewed the results. Another 5 days of waiting, and then on Tristan's 2 month birthday we learned that he does have hearing loss in his right ear, but it appears to be mild, and the doctor thinks it is still possible that it will improve as the ear develops (though it could also get worse). We will continue to monitor it and see how it goes. Hearing in his left ear is normal, so this should not cause him issues if it does not worsen, and considering all of the possible obstacles that other parents and babies are facing right now, this is a very small issue, but no matter how small, a mother always worries. For now I am happy to have learned that Tristan's ability to sleep through the chaos of his screaming sister, barking dogs, and the cat trying to climb in the swing with him is just part of his sweet nature, and not due to his inability to hear the world around him.

School Days

Amelia started preschool this month, and while Tristan and I attending as often as she did the first few weeks, she soon became more comfortable with the teachers and kids, and now she is running in without a second glance back at me. Though she does make me solemnly swear each time before I drop her off that "Mommy come back." Currently I think it is a bit confusing for her because she can not understand a lot of what is being said, and while the teachers do use a little english for her now and then, again I don't think it will be long before that is no longer an issue. She is only going two days a week, but each time I pick her up the teacher tells me she is repeating a lot of Portuguese words and using some on her own. Apparently last week one of the more talkative girls in her class was overheard telling Amelia "não 'kids', meninos," so she has some help from her friends as well! Even with the language barrier, she loves going, and gets very excited when I tell her it is a school day, let's hope that love of learning continues for many years.

"Amelia Two Years Old"

(From September 7) This is the statement we heard over and over again today, along with "birthday party." And when I asked her what she wanted for breakfast she thought for a minute and replied "cake." Yes our little girl is now two, and while she has already had some moments of typical two year old frustrations erupting, she is still usually a happy, helpful, energetic toddler, and we hope that continues through the coming year. She is a wonderful big sister, and as soon as Tristan starts crying, she offers suggestions of "baby milk," "poopy," or "burp" (complete with delivery of burp rag), to try to help ease his troubles, and often she is right on target.

To celebrate the big day, I made a cake to share with her classmates and after dinner we opened some presents that friends and family had sent her. On Saturday we had a birthday party at our house, and we had a bouncy castle for all of the kids (and some of the adults) to play in. It was a beautiful day, and I know I had a great time, so I hope everyone else did, too!

Welcome Tristan Alec Moffroid!

Tristan decided to make his arrival on Sunday morning, August 1, at 11:16am. After making us wait around for a few extra days, once he decided to come he was in quite a hurry, with the start of contractions to holding him in our arms only 3.5 hours apart. Our doctor had warned us that she was at a wedding for the weekend around 1.5 hours away, and she arrived in the delivery room only 10 minutes before Tristan appeared. Everyone is happy, healthy, and now home and recovering. Amelia is already a great big sister, and quite a little helper.

For the record books, he was 3.5 kg and 50 cm for those of you in Europe, and 7 lbs 11 oz and 19.5 inches for everyone on the other side. A few photos can be found by clicking here, and I am sure we will have lots more in the days to come!

Happy Anniversary!

Well, we can safely say we remained a family of 3 (plus furry family members, of course) through the end of our 6th year together. A few days late and no signs of our 4th family member yet, but I am sure he will be here before we get too far into year 7. Luckily baby's late arrival meant that Dan and I got to enjoy a wonderful night out by ourselves while my mom watched Amelia. I don't know when that will happen again! We decided to scrap all of the traditional wedding anniversary gifts (year of candy or iron didn't quite do it for us) and celebrated our 6th year with the gift of fish. Mmmm....sushi.

I am so happy to have spent this last year with such a wonderful partner and friend, and I am looking forward to spending the next years with our growing family. I hope you all can be so lucky.

So Long My Friend

So one of the things that we decided we needed to do with the impending arrival of baby #2 was get a more family appropriate car. So yesterday was the day that my adorable little Mini got traded in for a station wagon. With plenty of room for strollers, dogs, car seats, and who knows what else, my Laguna is very practical, but lacks some, or I should say, all, of the pizazz that the Mini had. Ah well, I had my fun, and Dan says we can talk about getting me another one when the kids are in college.

For those of you eagerly awaiting a more interesting post with upcoming baby news, well, so are we. With my due date only a few days away, we think we are just about ready for the little guy to arrive. Though I have a few projects for work I need to finish up, and packing my hospital bag has been on the to do list for a while now. Dan made me promise I would do it today, so I guess I am off to do that. When he does arrive, you'll be the first to know (well, one of the first anyway).