Nate - The Continuing Saga...

In a nutshell, we're going through speech therapy for Nate. He's doing well, some days are better than others. We had to do another hearing test for him. He basically didn't do well. Not "failed" but they think he has some hearing issues. The audiologist mentioned that there's a lot of gunk in his ears. So, we're going to go to an ENT. Some are saying (friends) that Nate might need ear tubes. If that's the case, and that's the reason for his lack of speech, I'm all about surgery.

However, we've noticed that Nate's left scrotum is looking puffy. We have his follow up tomorrow for his right scrotum/hydrocele surgery (back in October, the poor kid had stitches down there and on his forehead from running into a wall). I am going going to mention the left side and I'm pretty positive they will say he needs surgery.

Egads. Two more surgeries? I know they are minor. And I am not worried about the anaesthesia. But it's a LOT for a 2 year old to go through. It would be a God send to have him go through both surgeries at once....

Other than that, Nate is a joy. A terror. An awesome kid. He gets very worked up and then over-reacts to things. I have decided (long story, but at a playgroup last week he just got out of control, I lost it with tears, and left totally embarrassed) that I need to limit his time in certain situations. "Safe" situations for now include friends who DON'T tease him, antagonize him, etc. He gets VERY worked up. And because he can't communicate, his reactions to others is out of control. Now, worked up can be a good thing with Nate too -he laughs, he screams with delight. But then he "comes down" and almost bites any kid who happens to just accidentally bump into him. So, my decision for now is to limit his activities to groups where there's space, there's no teasing, and we can leave quickly if need be. He's doing GREAT at school: listens well, does what the teacher asks, NEVER cries, etc. He is a delight, they have said.

I don't want it to sound like he's not a good kid. He is wonderful. He is silly. He is funny. He is cuddly. He's my baby bear. Some day he's going to be this big man who will be strong and happy and funny and the life of the party. But right now all I want to do is protect him. Make him better. Help him. Give him the tools he needs to grow and learn. Love him. Keep him safe. Most of all, let him know that even with all this stuff going on, he will always be taken care of.