Freedom

It’s over. I can’t believe it.

Alex is healed.

Trust me, this machine confirmed Alex's hearing is excellent!

Perforated eardrum? Completely closed. I know, I know…when the ENT guru at Children’s Hospital informed me I told him he should check my hearing. Some kids need a few months to fully recover from a ruptured eardrum, and others require just 24 hours. I can’t keep up with the kid. I should have known a ruptured eardrum didn’t stand a chance, either.

Hearing? Excellent. Alex actually had fun during his silly stint in the soundproof booth. Different sounds–Thomas the Train, nursery rhymes– at various volume levels played from all corners of the room. He was rewarded by a dancing Winnie the Pooh shaking his honeypot maker when he turned the right way. He was 100 percent right (he must get that trait from his Mommy).

Anything to avoid a diaper change...

Disposition? Pure Alex. This morning, he struck his favorite Downward Dog yoga pose as a diaper change distraction, just like the good old days. He shouted “Hi” to everyone within earshot, flirted his way through the waiting room, and clapped when a nurse who fell victim to his charms gave him an Elmo sticker from her special secret stash. That’s my boy.

Stop making such a big deal that I finally feel better, Mommy! Let me enjoy my guacamole and mac and cheese please!

I treated him to a celebratory lunch at one of his favorite Mexican joints (oh yes, I influenced his palate in the womb; he loves guacamole) before starting our journey home. While channel-surfing through radio stations, I stumbled on “Moves Like Jagger” and knew it was perfect for that moment in time. I turned the volume up. Way up. We both smiled and my heart healed with the knowledge he could hear it loud and clear without any pain. I drowned out Adam Levine’s voice with my (off-key) singing, much to Alex’s delight, and we both danced with wild abandon. We were free. For the first time in one month, we were truly free.

*** A special note to my beloved readers: thank you. I appreciate all of  your beautiful emails, healing thoughts, encouraging comments, and pediatrician recommendations (FYI–the specialist said mine did everything right, which means Mommy did, too!). I read all of them, and am truly touched by your support. Thank you. Oh, and please vote for Mommy Dish: http://blog-awards.parents.com/blog-awards/mom_blogs/241-mommy-dish***