UCLA- 5 month surgery anniversary!

Kai, Jeff and I took a trip down to UCLA this week to get further testing done. She is doing fantastic. She keeps responding more consistently, and to lower pitches each visit. This is VERY exciting and it just shows how well her progress with the implant is going.

Jeff and I recently felt some sharp bumps behind Kailee's ear where she had the surgery. We will be going to see the surgeon in a few weeks to see if everything is normal. Worst case scenario.. Kai has to go back into surgery to fix the steel plate that holds the implant in. Please pray that everything is secure and stable and that he does not need to cut her open again anytime soon:) I don't know if I could handle it!

We will also be talking with the Dr. about implanting her Right ear. She has a malformation that would make it a little bit more complicated to implant, but Jeff and I are excited to hear Kailee's options. She is doing SO WELL with one implant, that we are not sure about the second. Please pray for wisdom:)

I thank you all again for your prayer and support through this journey. I can't believe it has been 5 months since her surgery!!

I will keep you updated on any news.

Blessings..

The Staniland's took a soccer trip to San Francisco this weekend. It was a great trip! Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Kai with her new hat and the girls:)


Sleepy head on the bus

So happy at dinner with her bff McKenna

Playing on the bus..

So sleepy!!

Kailee had an absolute blast hanging out with the girls! She is the team's little princess:) She went all weekend on little sleep and barley any food. ( her choice) Regardless, she was a champ!

So, we have cats living in our backyard. There is a Mommy who just gave birth to one little kitty. I think the previous house owners had this cat and left it. They are cute, and aren't too much trouble, but we can't go in our back yard without them rubbing on us. I am NOT a cat person, so this has been difficult:)

Kailee absolutely loves them ! She can't pronounce "meow" so she calls them "mo- mos". It's VERY CUTE. If anyone wants a cat or a kitten, please let me know. They are black and white and very sweet.:)

This week I met a speech pathologist randomly at one of my Moms groups. What a God send it was. She turned out to be this amazing Christian woman, who offered her love, and support for Kai.

Sometimes I feel alone in this walk with Kai. It seems that she is the only child going through this, and we are the only parents battling fears. (which I know is not true) Meeting people that have gone through the journey, or are going through the same journey is truly comforting and eye opening.

God has not given us anything we can't handle, and I believe that with all my heart, but sometimes it's nice to meet people in somewhat of the same situation, who can offer great advice, and reassure me that I'm not going crazy!!!

This probably doesn't make sense, but I am just grateful to have met this woman, who has since pointed us in the right direction for more great care for Kailee.

Kailee's speech therapist came today. It was a great session. She hadn't seen Kai in a few weeks, so she thought her progress and speech had really improved in the last few weeks. She was talking so much today and Erica ( the therapist) was really impressed and encouraged by her motivation to speak. I was so happy to hear that! Sometimes I don't see all the progress because I see Kai everyday, and it was nice to hear encouraging words:)

Fun in the sprinklers

So, it was hot this week! We decided to take Kai out in the front yard for a little water time. It was hilarious. She was running around like a crazy girl laughing and spinning. She loves water!!

Here are a few pics from the day. One is of her asking (signing) for "more", and the other is her asking for "water".

It was a blast!!

I had fun without you!

So Jeff and I went away with some friends this weekend, only to come home to our precious little one NOT WANTING US! She literally pushed us away when she saw us. I was SO SAD!
I guess I can look at this positively, like she is independent or something..
But I chose to be sad about it! She is growing up before our very eyes.

My mom said she was talking like crazy and trying to imitate every sound. Pretty cool...I hope everyone's weekends were great.

Today Kai and I took a trip to UCLA where her hearing was tested once more. We have been going to UCLA every month to check up on Kai's progress.

Today was a great day! She responded at a low speaking voice/almost whisper. THAT IS REALLY GOOD NEWS. Jeff and I know how much she hears, but for the Dr.'s to see her progress was really great!

She is talking more and more each day and today just confirmed her amazing success.
Thanks for all your continued prayers!

Love Steph and Kai

So, this happened a few weeks ago, but I must post this picture! This is Kai and her cousin Talan in a screaming match. Now, most mothers would say "stop screaming" to their little one...I have a hard time doing that since it is a form of communication after all :) Talan started screaming, Kailee then HEARD it and followed his lead. Kinda cute. It's their new "thing" they do.