5 months and so much has changed

Here we are, thinking about Christmas and the holidays that are coming up. Last year, Brianna's hearing was almost non-existent. Most of my holiday shopping was done for her by first asking myself if the toy I was looking at would make her feel uncomfortable. Did it make a sound? If so, was sound a major part of the toy? She wanted so desperately a keyboard and a Barbie cash register. The keyboard was obviously electronic and mainly sound oriented. She wanted it so desperately, she wrote a letter to Santa asking for only that, promising that she would be good next year and that she had always wanted one. So, of course she got it. She plays on that keyboard all the time. From the moment that she got it. She couldn't hear the sounds, but she would play songs and sing along to the music as best she knew how. Then there was the Barbie cash register. That had sounds, but there was a lot more to it than just the sound. Well, the main reason for me bringing all this up is that she comes running out of her bedroom yesterday, just overjoyed that I had put batteries in the cash register (I had not, they were the batteries that it came with). I asked her to show me. Well the register "dings" and talks and makes other noises. She hasn't played with it in a while, so I don't know how long ago she may have heard these things. But 5 months after activation we are still having those amazing "I hear it!" moments. This year, I don't have to worry about the toy having sound or not. She can hear almost everything. Go figure, this year it is all about Bratz dolls, which don't make noise. I love seeing how much she has changed, in a completely good way. She has come out of her shell so much. I absolutely cherish every moment. This is going to be a wonderful holiday for my family.
I hope you all will have an equally wonderful one. I hope that the joy I get everyday from my family will continue forever. I love the laughter that I hear, the little secrets that I am told (my son likes to "give" me secrets, such as "Mommy I want to give you a secret." He leans in to my ear. And in a regular voice, "I love Dora the Explorer." How cute, huh?)

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, and for those of you braving Black Friday, good luck!