ephphatha!
On Monday I took a class at the NICU on child development. One of the things I learned was that James’s development expectations will be based on his adjusted age, which is measured from his due date (May 31), not his actual age, for the first two years. His adjusted age is negative 2 weeks right now. 
Since I was the only one in the class, the developmental specialist listened to my descriptions of James and how he kicks his feet a lot. She said he was looking for boundaries and she brought him an extra bumper to curl up in. Sitting next to him right now, however, I see a leg kick up in the air every so often as he sleeps, so I don’t know whether he wants the freedom or the boundaries or some of both.
This is the really good part. We have been wondering whether James could hear or not, although his Grandmommy Peg has read him a book and we talk and sing to him all the time. He has microtia, which means little ears; one is small and the other doesn’t properly look like an ear at all. Anyway, the developmental specialist came to do an informal hearing check although it’s not official. She held James so his head was looking straight up and I got on one side where he couldn’t see me. Then I talked to him to see if he turned his head. He did turn his head towards me every time, on his left; that is the side with the bigger ear. On his right side, he turned once and another time turned the other direction (as if he heard me more through the other ear) and other times didn’t turn. She also did the same thing with a rattle instead of my voice.
My heart melted when he turned his head toward my voice. Sometimes I wonder, with all the nurses and doctors who come in and out, whether James can distinguish us from everyone else who changes his diaper, gives him his paci, sticks him with needles, wraps him in blankets etc. It made me feel like he does know me. So that’s the good news for the day.
2 Responses to “ephphatha!”
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Don’t you wonder for a second, Abby…James KNOWS without a doubt who his mommy is. He’s listened to you and smelled you and felt you for a long time now. He senses the love in your touch, especially in that precious kangaroo time. And when you look in his eyes, I guarantee he recognizes that’s that lady that loves me more than anyone else in the world.
His pictures are getting more and more adorable. Please hug him for us and tell him that he is loved by so many people and by a really big God that is on his side and has special plans for him.
Much love and many prayers…
The more we get to know James the more we realize how fearfully and wonderfully made he is and that God knows the plans He has for James to give him a future and a hope!!
Everytime we get his pictures, we ooh and ahh over how cute and adorable he is and for the serenity you all have displayed since James’ birth. He definitely knows and senses the love from you all. We believe this is because of the intense prayer that has been provided on behalf of James by so many people. He is loved so much and we truly believe he can sense that love and thrives and will continue to thrive on that love. What a special little one he is to have the two loving and adoring parents that you are…and we are all so blessed by James much more than we can express…he is truly a gift from God!
We dearly love the three you!!
Bill and Betsy
We so much appreciate the pictures and information you share on the blog…we eagerly await each day to hear about James and see any new pictures…these are truly a blessing!
We believe he knows and is comforted by both of you who loved and nurtured him before he met you face to face.