Mary’s hearing impaired educator also gave a very remarkable report on Mary’s birthday, stating how ‘extra cute’ Mary was in talking and imitating many 2-4 word utterances. That’s HUGE encouragement to us in regards to how far Mary’s language skills have come along. There is still a very strong sense of urgency within this news as she is at such a critical language period, that Deanna (Mary’s hearing impaired educator) stresses that we need to get as much language stimulation and development as we can “before she passes this stage”!!!! Deanna also informed us that even with a cochlear implant, it will be a year or more before she can use it fully to its capacity so the sign language will remain a helpful tool throughout her life. In the meantime, she requires FOCUSED, natural language stimulation to help her reach her potential. I had registered for school this month to continue my undergraduate degree but it’s a no-brainer that Mary’s educational needs far outweighs Mama’s desires so school for me is on the back burner with no regrets. Robert & I give thanks to God that He has provided for us enough that I will be scaling back my hours at work in order to do our part as parents and help her along this process. Who knows – it may turn out that once her tubes are in, tonsils & adenoids out and the CI is in that I might just have a certification in sign language!!! Win-win situation, especially for Mary as we notice that Mary signs more when her hearing aids are out and I’m so glad I’ve kept up with it because it’s been a great form of communication on that level! I’m also very certain it will come in handy as Mary recovers from her surgery in February!
This month is almost halfway over, things change so fast and we are excited to see God’s hand move so quickly and efficiently - not only in Mary’s life but ours! Enjoy the birthday pictures. All day long Mary kept saying, “Happy Day” and man, it sure was!!!! 
