Look into my eyes...

Sadie had her follow-up with the ENT this morning. Her ear tubes were put in place one month ago so the surgeon just wanted to check on them to see how they're doing. All is well- tubes are both open and clear, no problems. After meeting with the doc, we were sent off to the audiology department for a hearing test.

How on earth do you administer a hearing test to a toddler, you ask? Why, with these guys, of course:

The audiologist led us back to a hallway covered on either side with these tiny soundproof booths. The one we were in was maybe 5'x5'. There was an office chair in the center, where I sat and held Sadie on my lap. An assistant sat facing us, in perhaps the tiniest chair I have ever seen in my life. I didn't think Sadie would have fit into it, let alone a grown woman. The audiologist went to the other side of a one-way mirror and began administering the test. Now, the assistant in front of us was there to keep Sadie focused toward the center, since there were speakers on either side of us where the sounds would appear. The idea is that the child will turn in the direction of the sound, thus indicating that s/he has heard said sound. Above each speaker was a poster of either Bert or Ernie, and as a "reward" for turning in the correct direction, flashing lights would come on.

Sounds benign, right? Not so much. The flashing light bulbs were in place of Bert & Ernie's eyes. So it was almost demonic, these 2-ft tall posters of puppets with flashing red eyes. Sadie would turn in response to the sound almost immediately, and when the flashing lights came on she kind of cautiously looked up at them, like she was afraid they would eat her. Several times she did a double take, as if to say "What the fork are those things?!?!!!?" Even in between sounds she would eye them suspiciously, possibly just to make sure they hadn't inched ever so closer to her when she wasn't looking. I had a hard time trying not to laugh.

The good news is that she passed with flying colors, so hopefully we don't have to spend any more time with the satanic Muppets.

Wow.

I am a terrible blogger. It has been over a month since I have posted anything. I used to be pretty good about updating this thing on a regular basis, but I guess between Paul being gone (meaning I have more work to do and less free time) and all the house guests we've had recently, I have really slacked off. Guess that means it's time for a recap.

So let's see... my last post was about my ultrasound so let me go from there. The very next week my parents and oldest niece Maddie arrived. The day after they got here, Miss Sadie went in to have the tubes put in her ears. She did amazingly well, but had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia. She screamed and writhed around like a baby possessed for at least 20-30 minutes, not seeming to recognize me at all. That was hard. But she eventually calmed down and was an angel the rest of the day. I just had to get a picture of her in her little hospital gown. How freaking cute is that.

The rest of that week we hung out with my parents and Maddie, going mini golfing, berry picking, dog walking, out to the local science museum, all sorts of stuff. Ethan enjoyed having an older kid to play with and of course Sadie reveled in all the extra attention. She absolutely fell head over heels in love with my mom and would attack her with hugs every time she saw her. I didn't mind the company either, of course, and really enjoyed catching up with my parents and having two extra sets of hands around the house.

In the middle of that week, Paul's mom and youngest brother arrived for their visit. Poor Kathy broke her ankle three days before coming to the U.S., so it was a bit of a difficult visit for her, not being able to go up and down stairs, etc. But we managed to make the best of it anyway. Just a few days after they arrived, Paul's brother went off to Scout camp for a week so it was just me and Kathy and the kids. I think we mostly ran errands and just played with the kids, very low key. Then the next weekend, on the 12th of July, Paul's dad, younger brother Bryce and his wife all came to town. Oh boy, Ethan and Sadie had so much fun with Uncle Bryce and Aunt Beezer. Ethan has really missed the rough and tumble stuff he usually gets from his dad (pregnant Mom is a lame substitute), and Bryce was more than willing to fill that void for him. Sadie took a real shine to Aunt Beezer and would seek her out for snuggles. At one point we all drove up to the Maine coast for a day and Sadie happily played with Beezer in the ice cold water all afternoon.

Bryce prepares for some serious Maine lobster

At the JS Memorial in Sharon, VT

After everyone left on the 19th, I decided that I wasn't quite ready to be all on my own again, so I packed the kids into the car and drove up to northern Maine to visit a friend of mine and her two kids. Everyone got along splendidly and it was so fun to get away for a few days.

One day while we were there we all drove up to Acadia National Park. GORGEOUS!!! But again, the water was freeeeeeeezing.

Sadie has turned into a car screamer, but she seemed riveted by my friend's in-car DVD player. I think they are watching Horton Hears a Hoo in this picture. You can see Ethan in the background with his big awesome headphones on.

So there we go- all caught up. It has been a fun-filled month for sure! Next week I get to see an old friend from VA as they pass through on their way home from VT, and on August 7th we are flying out to San Francisco to see Daddy!!! I'm so excited to see Paul I can hardly stand it. By then it will have been two months since we've seen him- waaaaaaaay too long. Hopefully I will remember to post something before then...