Garrison, 2 lbs closer to SKINNY, Otosclerosis

Garrison cracks me up. I had this as my status earlier for those of you who do not like repeat stories. I had this as my status earlier for those of you who do not like repeat stories... haha! Thought I'd get you one last time before you skip on to the next paragraph. I like to tell Garrison that he's handsome. I don't tell him all the time - wouldn't want him to have a huge head to go along with his lanky 3 year old body, but I try to make it a point to boost him up every once in a while and let's face it people - he's pretty cute! ;)

When I used to get him dressed he would sometimes say, "Am I handsome mommy?" Well that has turned into, "I'm handsome mommy!" And this morning it was, "I'm very very handsome mommy! I'm very very very very handome mommy!".... really? Just like a man. You try and stroke the ego a bit and the head gets so big it almost explodes. Ay yay yay! It was pretty cute though. Now if he's telling me that at 15 I might have to give him an ego deflation. So then we get in the car and say our morning prayers on our way to school. In the middle of the prayer he said, "Mommy I love Jesus. I want to hug Jesus. I want to kiss Jesus." How sweet is that? I try to explain to him that Jesus is in his heart and always with him so he can "hug" him whenever he wants. He seemed to be content with that answer!

I have been eating really healthy (pretty much following Weight Watchers pont system) since Monday. I'm actually super proud of myself because I LOVE FOOD! :) I think my husband has actually tried to throw me off track a few times but I've stuck to my guns. He hates a salad and water kind of girl but his choices are (1) skinny salad and water wife or (3) fat burger and fries wife. In 4 days I've lost 2 lbs. I'm so excited! I'm one of those super impatient people when it comes to seeing results so that gives me the motivation I need to really stick with this. I will swear by the theory that the only way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat right and exercise. It really is true!

I am finally blogging about my otosclerosis. I've made several comments about how I can't hear very well and lots of funny stories to go along with that. I started noticing (actually my coworkers did) that I could not hear very well about 3 years ago. If someone talked to me over my cubicle I couldn't hear what they were saying and had to walk around to talk to them. The hearing got gradually worse over time. For a while I didn't notice it because I was in an outside sales job selling Medicare insurance to old people. Loved the job and LOVE how loud old people talk! Music to my ears! :) Anyways, after going to one "specialist" (if he really deserves that title) he told me I had Meniere's Disease. Basically this guy told me in a very casual way that if I chose to have more children I would go completely deaf... oh and there was no cure! Needless to say I left that appointment in tears. After taking my very wise mom's advise (moms really are always right!) I got a second opinion. This doctor decided to do a cat scan and told me I do not have Meniere's but I have Otosclerosis. (Hope I did that link thingy right... haha!) Bad news - I will probably one day go completely deaf. Good news - I can prevent that and possibly fix the hearing I've lost by having surgery. Bad news - There is a very small chance I could go completely deaf from the surgery. Good news - I have faith that it will go well! Effects of having this on me: Garrett tells me every night the tv is at max volume already when I ask him to turn it up, I have become an EXCELLENT lip reader, I get frustrated easily when I have to say "what" so many times a day I lose count, my son has even told me, "you can't hear me mommy!", and I basically do a lot of nodding and smiling until someone stares blankly at me and I say... "I'm sorry, what?" because I realize they were asking me a question. HAHA!

So, my surgery is scheduled for March 4th. I've been reading some discussion boards about people who have experienced this and the surgery. Some... not so positive, but that's my own fault for reading on the internet. I am nervous but also excited that I could possibly hear again. I am affected in both ears which is rare so I will have one ear done in March and have to wait at least 6 months to have the other done. I'll keep you all updated.

Jewels*