Nemma’s Diary

Whats been happening in the Derner household?

Well Jacks started nursery in a morning. He loves it, but STILL hasnt stopped crying when I leave him in a morning. I think its more for my benefit than actually not liking school. He’s happy enough once Ive left him for a couple of minutes and is really excited and tells me what he’s been up to when I pick him up. He’s been invited to a couple of party’s too so Im hoping he starts to settle soon.

I think one of the problems is the noise levels, its really loud in there (As its bound to be with lots of pre school kids running round) and he doesnt cope well when theres lots of background noise. Its because of his glue ear I think. Which brings me nicely onto the next update.

I took him for a hearing test last week and the Doctor finally cottoned onto the fact that Jacks not actually hearing the noises during the tests half the time, he’s just reacting in the way he’s expected to. He does a test where he has some spinning top shaped discs and he has to tap them against a machine and then when he hears the noise he puts the disc in a box. Ive said the last few times that he’s just putting the disc in the box because he knows thats whats expected of him, not because he can hear the noise every time.

They’ve tried a different test on him this time and its proven how low his hearing is. The doctor has decided to send him for a consultation with the Ear nose and throat surgeon to see about having gromits fitted. Im hoping that this does the trick and that it makes things easier for him. His speech has caught up a lot but I still feel that his hearing affects his day to day life. Especially now in nursery as he cant always hear what his teachers are saying to him and when we visit places like play centres he is a bit overwhelmed at first because of the amount of noise. I dont think people realise how much Glue ear can affect kids and thier behaviour, and dont realise how much it can slow thier development down.

Luke has started pre school, I had nightmares about him screaming the place down when I left him BUT he’s been the complete opposite. He’s settled in really well. He loves going to big boy school and wanders off as soon as we get in there to play and doesnt bat an eyelid when I tell him Im going. I honestly think its because he goes with children he’s grown up going to groups with and its in the same room as all the playgroups we go to with the same staff. He’s picking things up quickly like where to hang his coat and what to do with his coat tag etc. Basically Im really proud of the way he’s coped. After expecting the worst possible scenario he’s made us proud! He’s definately getting more independant. Its only 2 hours a week but its definately worth taking him!

In other news I’ve got a new job. After five years of working on and off at the cricket club Ive been offered another job at a local pub closer to home for more money with gaurenteed hours and they are a bit more sociable hours too. Im not getting in at 1 and 2 o clock in the morning and Im working four nights a week instead of 5. Its early days yet but Im enjoying it. I miss the club though, but more for the people I work with and the regular customers than the work itself. Its different I suppose waitressing but I’ll get used to it in time.

Karls still working hard. He’s bought a comressor recently and has started respraying bits and bobs for people and seems to be enjoying himself. The window tinting side of things has slowed down considerably this year, but thats down to the credit crunch I think. Everyone we know with thier own businesses has said the same thing. People just cant afford to spend money on luxarys for thier cars!

Thats about it I think. Not much been happening, we’re all getting used to things changing so havent really had the time to do much else!

Here’s some recent photo’s