Savanah's Story

Flows right on by. . .
Savanah's Story I never believed people when they said -"TIME GOES FAST!" "Before you know it, she'll be all grown up!"Thought I would just post a little testament to how true that statement really is.Seems like yesterdaywe just had Miss SavanahSeems like just yesterdaywe were worrying about whether or not she would ever be able to talkor hearor laughSeems like just yesterday we list...
Fri, Jan 27 2012

Stay
Savanah's Story So as some of you may know. . . we're building a house. . . in another city -not far away but another city where Savanah would go to another school.At first she was pretty excited about this.For starters she can walk to this school.Can you say right across the street?!?Second there are a ton of kids in our new neighborhood.This is something she was not accustomed to i...
Thu, Jan 26 2012

BOOM.
Savanah's Story So we went to the park today.Yes it's January in Utah.Yes it was a whopping 54 degrees outside too.The sun was shining.No snow on the ground.So the park we went -with little Molly too.Savanah found a few friends.They were boys - naturally.These boys weren't the nicest boys.Teasing her, making fun of her.She was strong and ignored it.Continued to play.Until "WHAM"!This...
Sun, Jan 15 2012

Woop, woop!
Savanah's Story This is an e-mail I recieved earlier this morning: HUGE!The level 18-20 for second graders is AMAZING! They want them to finish 2nd grade at a 20. . . and when they say "they" they are speaking in regards to "hearing" children - so GASP! my deaf child is on a "normal, average" reading level! Hooray!"The mainstream teacher has completed Savanah’s DRA (Reading Assessm...
Thu, Jan 12 2012

What's normal?
Savanah's Story I had an interesting conversation with Savanah last night.It was a conversation where I thought to myself. . ."Where has the time gone? How is she so big now? So grown up?"We were sitting on the bed, admiring yet another just barely lost tooth.From out of the blue Savanah says to me -"Mom I don't want to be deaf."Trying to not act shocked or sad, her statement stunned...
Fri, Jan 06 2012

D isn't for DOUBT, it's for DARING to do it!
Savanah's Story To all the doubters. . . to all the people who have heard. . . "You're child is deaf. . . so they will not be able to do this or that. . .""They will not read till later.""They will do terrible in school.""Strangers will never be able to understand them."SAVANAH proved everyone wrong!She is reading right along with her appropriate grade level.She is reading chapter bo...
Mon, Nov 21 2011

To have or not. . .
Savanah's Story Just got done with more mapping.The question came up again. . . another implant or not. . . please weigh in.
Sun, Oct 30 2011

"Let's GO Vikings!"
Savanah's Story So Savanah just started cheerleading.Through PG Rec Center. . . a little headstart on the house we are buildingand the location we are building it at.But none the less. . . it's great.Yesterday was her first day.She was so excited.She's been to enough BYU games to knowhow awesome cheerleaders are!The cheer clinic was held in the gymnasiumat the rec center.There were a...
Wed, Sep 07 2011

Whirlwind
Savanah's Story So Savanah is officially a BIG second grader now.It was a rough start to the week. All because she was not wearing her hearing aid.Her audiogram was just awful with it inso her audiologist felt like it was better without it.I guess not.Those first three days of school were dreadful.She was barely hearing anything.Not able to follow along to what was being taught.Extre...
Wed, Sep 07 2011

Perks of the Internet
Savanah's Story So several years ago I was contacted by the founder of STOP CMV and we immediately became friends and after several years we FINALLY met last week she flew in from San Fran for another CMV mommy who lives in WVC whose daughter was turning 16 and they had a big swim bash party for so during this little shin dig I had the rare and very SPECIAL opportunity to meet 4 wome...
Tue, Aug 16 2011

Testing 1. . . 2. . .3
Savanah's Story Savanah had another great mapping appointment. But something weird happened. For the past 6 months she has been wearing a hearing aid on her right ear and for some reason Desmond and I both "think" we can tell when she has it in and does not have it in. . . We have thought it was benefiting her. After Cache did all of her testing we learned something interesting. S...
Mon, Aug 08 2011

This state.
Savanah's Story Is a silly one.Why you ask?Well all these talks about "cutting USDB services""closing the school down."What would these children do?I know it's not the GREATEST program.But it's a program.Savanah has been involved with them since she was two and a half.She has grown partial to it.There are some amazing teachers.Aides.Resources.Oh man. . . why can't America and this st...
Wed, Jul 27 2011

BFF
Savanah's Story Meet MThis is Savanah's bestie.She is also deaf.They use to party during pre-school.They have remained VERY good friendsafter attending different schools etc.M is awesome.She has a cochlear implant as well.She talks wonderfully.She is such a great friend.And it makes me all fuzzy inside that she has a forever friend,a friend who knows exactly what it's like to be deaf...
Tue, Jul 19 2011

Assume
Savanah's Story Desmond and I were mentioning yesterdayat the infamous waterparkthat we took Savanah toothat it's sort of comical how everyonejust assumes that everyone can hear.Everyone yesterday meaning lifeguards and swimpark patrons.Before we talked into the park,we decided to leave Savanah's CI in the truck.Less hastle, we knew it would be 100% safe in there.I always feel bad wh...
Tue, Jul 05 2011

MONDAY.
Savanah's Story Savanah is on a countdown to tomorrow.No, not because of the 4th.Or fireworks.Because those are done and over with.But because her dad and I are taking her to. . .SEVEN PEAKS!She is beyond stoked.So excited.Seriously, she has asked if it is Monday everyday since last Monday.But I have to admit something.Something that mothers who have children who hear do not think ab...
Sun, Jul 03 2011

VROOM. . . or whatever a jet sounds like.
Savanah's Story Last night while celebrating the 4th. . .yes I know, we're a little early,it's tomorrow, but you see we live in Utah Valley.And they do things a little weird here.But no big deal.Just means a LONGER weekend for us.We were swimming and celebrating,BBQ'ing and laughing,fireworkin' and smiling.The Stadium of Fire (Utah Valley's BIG patriotic celebration)was going on just...
Sun, Jul 03 2011

Blend in.
Savanah's Story Lately I've been told a lot that"Savanah just blends in".Blends into what I think?The walls. . . the people. . . I get what people mean.She talks so well.So she must just "blend in".Just because of her cochlear implant I suppose.But I don't really think she does any of this. . .well yes, the talking well part.But that has been countless hours of hard work,lessons, app...
Mon, Jun 20 2011

Savanah's Perspective
Savanah's Story So driving on the freeway this morning.Two little girls in the back. Chatting between them.Her views on life begins. . . Savanah tells her little sis she is deaf. Gracen just looks intently at her and listens to her for a moment. . . "When I was a baby, I couldn't hear mom and dad like you can hear mom and dad now. When I was three, these one people they cut my head o...
Wed, Jun 08 2011

?-Plant
Savanah's Story Savanah's little sister, Gracen, who is 3 years old. . . well she calls Savanah's implant -her EAR-plant.I just love it.She pretty much has it right on the button, don't ya think?It's kind of clicked now.Although Savanah really does not like when you say it incorrectly.Figures.
Mon, Jun 06 2011

These kind of things use to offend me.I remember when...
Savanah's Story These kind of things use to offend me.I remember when Savanah was awfully young, Desmond and I were watching TV.And these people were making fun of deaf people. I cried out, "That's terrible!" Desmond still thought the joke was funny.I was completely appalled.For some reason,after seven years.These sorts of things do not really bother me anymore.People are always goin...
Thu, Jun 02 2011

OUR Tower of Terror. . .
Savanah's Story made me think of posting this.I really didn't post much about Disneyland.WE just had WAY TOO MUCH FUN!Yes, it was clear back in November,But thought I would share this candid cutie.This was Savanah's MOST favorite ride.Literally, we rode it about 16 times.But if you look very closely at Savanah.She is hanging onto that implant.Making sure that implant of hers stays on...
Mon, May 23 2011

I love her.I feel so blessed to be her mother.As I laid in...
Savanah's Story I love her.I feel so blessed to be her mother.As I laid in bed with her tonight.(Because she likes me too!)I softly stroked her head.I felt her implant.I wondered if she would ever be mad at me for implanting her.Without her approval.Like piercing her ears when she was an infant?It wasn't her decision, even though I guess it should have been.I've been ridiculed.Mocked...
Sun, May 22 2011