More Ear Surgery for Grayson

Sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed after the surgery.

Grayson recently went to the children's hospital for a 3rd set of ear tubes, and an adenoidectomy.  The night before his surgery, the hospital made time to take him on a private tour where he got all kinds of neat toys to bring home and got to see everything first hand.  The nurse was so wonderful with him that he told his dad on the way home that when he grows up he wants to be a doctor.

We told Grayson that on recovery day he could eat as many Popsicles as he wanted.  In preparation he picked out a large box of 32 Popsicles, Rod and I anticipated that he probably would not want them as his throat was expected to be quite sore.  When it came time, he ate every popsicle in the box.  We were so surprised but he was determined to eat them all. (I suppose he saw an opportunity and went for it!)  Big sister Caily was so sweet to him as he recovered and brought him Popsicle after Popsicle while watching super hero shows all afternoon.

In the weeks after the surgery we have seen such a huge improvement in Grayson's speech.  In the fall Grayson will continue to take Preschool classes and work with a speech therapist.  He also has been working for the last year with a private Speech therapist who has been amazing with him. One year ago, Grayson was unable to pronounce his name at all, had 3 word sentences and truncated most of his words.  Now he is making incredible progress, he can say his name clearly, and carries on sentances that are 8-10 words ALL THE TIME.  The surgery helped to boost that effort.  He works very hard on his sounds and we are impressed at the tenacity and persistence he has as he works on improving his speech.  It has been amazing to hear his thoughts become words in the last few months. For a very long time, we have dreamed of the day when we would get to hear all the special and important things he has to say.  

Yesterday, in a perfectly clear way, he explained how he plays Superhero with his cereal.  The spoon is the superhero who chases the bad guys (bran flakes) and scoops them into his mouth.   

It sounds simple, and most parents hear those things 2 years earlier.  But because of the context, we could never make those words out..we mostly understand situational words, by guessing what he is meaning and trying to anticipate his needs through a variety of other ways....to have a thought, or an imagination of his be expressed so clearly--is a complete dream.

And these are the thoughts, ideas, imaginations and dreams that we have waited a long time to hear from our sweet boy, and he has waited a long time for us to understand.  We are so happy with his progress and can't wait to hear all of the things he has to share. We are so glad that he is a part of our family, and anticipate an amazing year for him.