Ga Ka

I use Ben's blog as a place to save memories. To document his hearing, development, and show off cute pictures.

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A blog is a ridiculous place to try to pay tribute to a man like Ben's Grandpa Paul. Our hearts ache for Ben's loss. Without knowing it, he has lost one of his biggest fans, one of his very favorite people, a man that would have loved to play with him for many more years. Ben doesn't feel the sadness, and that's good. But, we see what could have been for Ben and his Ga Ka.

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In 16 months, Paul bragged about his Little Ben, supported his parents in some very difficult decisions, and loved his grandson so much you could see it on his face.

He was the first we told when we found out we were pregnant. Paul was back early the next morning with a dozen roses.

He arranged Ben's ABR with the best audiologist at Dornbecher in record timing.

He made sure we had the best ESD audiologist and TOD.

He offered first to hold Ben, so Mommy could finish eating dinner.

When Ben fell in love with his swing at daycare, Paul bought and installed one
at his house. Then spent hours pushing him in it.

He came to our house, lit a fire and made it cozy warm for us when we came home from Ben's surgery.

He fed Ben bit's of ham as he carved it and Ben begged like a puppy at his feet.

He always scooped Ben into his arms as soon as he walked in the door.

He spent countless hours walking with Ben, naming each thing Ben pointed to.

When Ben started crawling and mommy the rule that everyone must take their shoes off, he was the only one that did. Every time.

He commented on and celebrated each milestone Ben made. Little ones, only a Special Ed teacher would notice.

When babysitting Ben, he managed to put Ben's diaper on backwards. Twice.

He filled Ben's Easter basket with his favorite snacks and drinks.

He gave Ben lawnmower rides.

It's impossible to remember or list everything I want Ben to remember. He just needs to know his Grandpa loved him.

Loved him.

And he taught Ben's Daddy how to be just like him.

Bye bye Ga Ka. We love you.

We miss you.

Beach Time

Today Ben enjoyed his first walk on a windy Oregon beach.

He was more interested in the birds than the waves.

The loose sand was bit scary.

We had to leave after his repeated attempts to introduce himself to a strangers dog.

This is his "If I smile real cute, I can do what I want" face.

Thankfully we are still faster and stronger!

Busy Ben

Ben helped Mommy and Daddy work outside all weekend.

Always looking for adventure.

He has his stick and he's ready to cut it.

Ready to help.

These two boys are meant for each other!

Daddy's Boy

Ben was Daddy's little shadow this weekend.

He loved ridding over the bumpy lawn.

Daddy's big helper.

Ben loved spraying himself in the mouth and drinking the water. Yuck!

Truly, all boy!

Moo

While Ben was eating breakfast the other morning, he looked out the window and saw the neighbors goats. He signed cow and said, "MOOOOO".

Close enough for me!

I was ecstatic.

We just had to go see those 'cows' up close.

Ben brought a treat to share.

Before you give away a treat, it should be tested.

I guess it passed.

Those 'cows' were pretty fun!

Easter

Ben had a fantastic Easter! He ran all around Grandma and Grandpa's house collecting eggs.

Then he took his eggs out of the basket.

They were hard to open.

But ...horray!




The Easter Bunny filled Ben's eggs with delicious dried fruit.
He ate all of it.


Cousin Maddy showed Ben how to blow bubbles.

Ben tried to catch the bubbles and eat them.

Possible the best part of the day was Grandpa's ham.

Ben parked himself like a little puppy at Grandpa Paul's feet for a pre dinner snack.

Happy Easter!

Three Months Hearing

Today Ben had another booth test and a MAP adjustment with Dr. Don. In the booth Ben tested at 15 db. That's incredible for a little guy who couldn't hear a thing three months ago!

Don preformed a few language evaluations on Ben also. He was quite impressed.
Some great things noted were:

• Consistently responding to familiar and unfamiliar environmental sounds. Such as: the dog barking, a knock at the door, or a beep from a machine.
• Responding to his name. (He signed his name each time we said Ben.)
• Differentiate between Mom and Dad's voices and turn to the person talking.
• Using words/sounds to communicate.
• Responding to words when not looking at the speaker. (Don asked if Ben recognized words. I said, "Sure he knows daddy......". From across the room Ben looked up from his toy and signed and said dada.)
• Have a change in behavior when the sound to his implant spontaneously goes off. (Ben takes his his ear off and hands it to one of us while whining if his battery goes dead or the magnet slips off.)

According to Don, Ben's language is developing at a quick pace. He is using all the sounds that would be expected from a typical hearing 14 month old.

Ben put on quite the show, playing, talking and signing. His favorite word for today was hep. He asked for hep opening a toy, sitting in a chair, and opening his snacks.

He also looked super smart when he wanted a snack from Don and said "mmm uh" while signing more please. Our little prodigy!

Mommy and Daddy couldn't be prouder!

Oranges

Great Grandma has an orange tree in her back yard. Ben fell in love.

He picked his first Orange.

He was so excited, he bit into it right away.

But, something was very wrong with this orange.

It tasted awful!

He tried to put it back on the tree.

After much convincing, Ben kept his orange.

Yum!

It was delicious after all!

As soon as he finished, he hopped down and grabbed Great Grandma's finger. He led her out the back door, right back to the orange tree. Over and over!

We came home with at least 20 pounds of Great Grandma's oranges.

Great Grandma Daisy

We spent last week with Great Grandma Daisy in California. Ben had a wonderful time.

He took Great Grandma on walks
and always used his best manners; signing please, saying ta tu (thank you), and asking for hep (help).

Grandma took Ben, Daddy, Mommy, and Uncle Jon to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Ben loved the touch pools,
the penguins,

listening to the sounds of the whales and seals,

and making crayon rubbings of dolphins.

He was a little confused why he couldn't get his pacifier wet in the wave tunnel.

What a fantastic vacation!

Spring

I have the cutest kid in the world.

Yes, I'm biased. But, take a look and you'll agree!

I pulled out a purple flower for him. He is trying to put it back.

Ben is known for this smile all around town. Really, how can you not smile along with him?



Ben signs 'Daddy'. Definitely his hero.

Grateful

Ben said "MOMMA"!

Honestly, as far as excitement goes, it's a tie between seeing him for the first time or hearing my name from his little mouth.


Thank you Cochlear!