Ethan's Cochlear Implant Surgery

Thank you all for your support toward us over the past few weeks and prayers for Ethan. The Lord was gracious first of all in keeping Ethan healthy for his cochlear implant surgery two days ago on December 8th. Thank you for your faithful prayers for this.

The surgery did go well according to the doctor. Only a little fluid leaked from Ethan's cochlea when the hole was made for the implant, which means there is a possiblity Ethan could retain some of his residual or natural hearing that he had in his ear, which is usually not the case when implanted. As far as the overall success of the implant, we will begin to know that when they actually turn on or activate the implant on Dec 28th. There is reason to be hopeful.

We got home from the hosptial yesterday about 2pm. Ethan is beginning to get back to his normal self now that the initial heavy medicines have worn off. He is communicating, remembers well, and eating a little.

Two prayer requests for him during this intervening time are: 1) that he would not develop or maintain a fever over the next few days which could indicate infection (he has had a fever yesterday and today but that is likely normal), and 2) that the swelling from his incision would go down (he has had a little more than normal swelling at this point).

Other than that, he is in good spirits, and we are praising God that things have gone well.

Thanks for your love to us in Christ,
Jeff and Lisa

Last Post for Awhile...More Pics

Ethan's Crooked Camera Smile

The Butterfly House in St. Louis

Ethan and Levi playing in the beautiful fall leaves

More Plair Pics!

Glow-in-the-Dark Pajamas

Levi & Covey, Watching Bolt with the Woodell Family

Fruit Puff Misplaced!

A visit from our dear friends, the Woodells

More Fall Fotos

Balloon Parrot and Fishing Pole

"Jeff Jr." Getting Big!

Tony (dog-trainer) from America's Got Talent

Homemade Train with 55-gallon drums and a 4-wheeler

Levi LOVES blueberries!

Fall Fun Fotos

Jeff Enjoying Bao (Soup Buns) at Dim Sum

(a treat introduced to us by our beloved CA Bible Study)
Monster Truck at our town's Fall Festival

Hayride!

Levi's Wink-Smile

City Museum Ball Pit

Judah Loves to Swing

GrAunt and Levi at the Playground

(Great Aunt Linda and Uncle Rudy visited and spoiled us all)

GrUncle with Ethan at Playground

Ethan's First Day at School

Meet Me in St. Louey Louey!

Phew! It's been a while since I've had time to post, but with good reason...we have moved to St. Louis! We decided through a series of events and a deeper understanding of Ethan's profound hearing loss that we needed to be here in order for Ethan to receive the best resources possible. He is attending an oral school for the deaf where they teach deaf children to communicate through speech/listening. Our hope is that within 2-3 years of this intense therapy, Ethan will be able to communicate enough for me to homeschool him.

After being here for only a short time, the staff at his school told us that his hearing aids were not providing him much benefit and that it would be very difficult and maybe impossible for him to learn to talk unless he received a cochlear implant. So, we are now looking at a cochlear implant surgery in about 6 weeks. Everything has moved very quickly, but that is necessary since the window of time for Ethan to develop speech is narrowing every day.

A lot has happened but there is only time to post a few updated photos right now. There are countless kids' activities in St. Louis so the boys are loving their new life.

Ready for Church (where we will be joining this month)

Ethan on the Playground
All 3 with their Old Navy caps we found for a quarter :)

Levi's Birthday Gift From GrAunt and GrUncle (he has learned to enjoy it now!)

Blue-Eyed Judah (spittin' image of Papa)

Baby Judah Pics, et al

I found a few minutes to get the recent photos off my camera, so here are a few of Judah as promised, as well as the "leviethan" (sic)...we realized that Levi and Ethan spelled together make "leviethan" (sea monsters in the book of Job). So we call them our little sea monsters, a name which they sometimes live up to!

A Sweet, Sweet Smile

Saying "Wow!" in Unison

Mama told him to frown for the camera :)

A Few More Quick Photos

Blogging with Judah in my arms and Levi emptying the bookshelf is proving to be a bit difficult! Here are a few more photos before signing off! I'll have to post more Judah photos once I find time to download the recent ones from the camera...coming soon.

Peek-A-Boo!

Backyard After Ice Storm

Ethan and Levi (Ethan's developed that "camera smile" that so many kids have!)

Making Cookies with Aunt Linda (the flour on the M&M tasted a bit odd!)

6 Weeks Old!

Judah is now 6 weeks old and doing very well...he looks like he's gained a good 4 lbs since birth but we'll see for sure at his 2-month checkup. I love having an infant once again, and realize each time how short those first few months are!

We are thankful to all be healthy in the Plair household after surviving a week-long flu that made it's way to each of us including Judah. It was a very hard week but it sure makes us more grateful for the daily health we so often take for granted!

Since I have very little time these days, I'm sure my blog posts will be short and sparse (more than they have been already!). But here are a few photos to share at least in picture, if not in word, a glimpse of our growing family.

Papa Playing with the Boys

Ethan and Levi "Talking" on the Phone

Fun at the Park

Adoring "Baby Judah"