words...at 19 months

My Novak...

Becky pointed out to me that in the last month or two she has put up more blog posts than I have.  What can I say, life is busy.  Busy is an understatement.

But I did think it was fitting to take a few minutes to sit down and capture a snapshot of Novak at this moment in time.  You might recall that a little over a month ago (just a few short posts ago), Novak got tubes in his ears.

At the time, he wasn't walking at all, and he wasn't talking much.  I had heard anecdotally that kids often started talking more when they got tubes.  We had learned at his first referral appointment that he failed all his hearing tests.  (which he has now passed with flying colors, yay!) 

So for Novak, the last month has been, well, "ear-opening."  A month ago, Novak's verbal library consisted of:

• "wa-da" (water)
• "da-deeeee" (daddy)
• "ma-ma" (mama)
• "daaaaa" (dog)
• "ba-ba" (Papa)

And that was about it.  Now, just a few short weeks later, his vocabulary has grown:

• "mil" (milk)
• "neigh-ni" (fan) <-- This one doesn't make any sense, I know...
• "wing" (swing"
• "binky" (binky, his pacifier) <-- This may be the clearest word he speaks
• "lie" (light)
• "gama" (Grandma)
• "Neigh" (Nate)
• "Ni-ni" (Nile)
• "Na-na" (banana)
• "lello" (yellow)
• "boo" (blue)
• "emma" (cousin Emily)

He also makes sounds:

• growls (like a bear, lion, or pretty much anything he doesn't know the sound of)
• "hoo hoo ha ha" (monkey)
• "oof, oof" (dog)
• "murm murm" (truck)

So I'd say this is great progress!  We're still working on the walking part, although he did take some steps for Papa and Grandma this weekend.  

I won't get into the "terrible twos" which are starting just in time...suffice it to say he has learned how to communicate when he is not getting his way.  

Tubes

Yesterday, Novak had surgery for his ear tubes.  After 9 ear infections in 14 months, we were READY for tubes and to get off the antibiotic train.

The procedure was at an outpatient surgery center.  They have the process down to a science. 

We arrived at about 7:45 and after some paperwork we promptly were called back to the "pre surgery" room.

They took his vitals, asked a bunch of questions, and we waited to see the doctor.

Looking at himself on Mom's iPhone.

Watching Curious George on PBS

At exactly 8:30, the nurses came in and took Novak back for his procedure.  I returned to the waiting room, hit the bathroom (figuratively), and sat down.  I had time to check my email and watch a few minutes of the Today Show which was on in the lobby, and they came to call me back to the recovery room at 8:45.

He was still asleep from the anesthesia, and once he woke up they handed me a cranky baby.  He would fall asleep, then wake up and scream, then fall asleep again.  He didn't open his eyes until 9:15.

Recovering.

After they released us at about 9:20, I headed to the car.  I thought maybe he would want a snack since he hadn't had anything to eat, but when I offered, this was the response I got.  Poor thing.

No, I don't want anything, Mom!

Just take me home!

I took him home, he took a nap, and he woke up a completely DIFFERENT child.

He was happy.  Smiling.  Giggling.  Playing.  He didn't fuss a bit.  He ate a whole sandwich.  

He learned two new words yesterday afternoon (perhaps having his hearing back will help him learn to talk now!)

He actually tried walking and his balance was much improved (again, not having congested, fluid filled ears might help!).

I'm so excited to see what other new developments we'll have now that he will hopefully feel better all the time!