Progress Report

We've been really impressed with Zemiel's progress over the last few weeks. He is certainly progressing much faster than anyone could have hoped he would. Zem is now making 'ar' and 'mm' sounds.

We are working hard to ensure that he will hear and use different pitches as well, as that is something that deaf children have trouble with. Sharlene has also been kept busy talking to representatives from different deaf groups and other parents who are all very interested in Zem (mainly because he signs) and he is interested in them (mainly because they give him food). Zem's main party trick, wherever he goes, is to beg food.

We have also been given a number of Auslan DVDs and other resources on loan. These have come at a great time. Several weeks ago, Sharlene and I began a basic Auslan course. For 3 weeks we had a hearing teacher who went through some basics, but last week and for the next 3 weeks our teacher is deaf and the class is 'voice off' - signing only. This week coming there will be an interpreter present and we will be able to ask some questions.

Several weeks ago at the Morisset Show, Sharlene signed Zem up for some professional photos. In the week up until the photos, Zem got 2 fat lips, 1 puffy eye (which didn't go black thankfully), and chipped a tooth. The photos turned out very nicely though. Zem now has a proper black eye, given to him (with love of course) from a draw that opened too quickly.









Last Sunday we organised and planted out 2 of our garden beds for this coming season. Mainly beans and peas in at present with some spinach and cauli Rabi thrown in. Our capsicum plants are doing well, we have one in particular which is 1 and a half years old and still going great. We will be doing the other beds tomorrow hopefully.

This week we found out that our dog has gotten a taste for stolen eggs. So we just need to be a bit more vigilant about closing the chook pen when the chickens are out. Composting and worm farms are going great. We've decided that instead of turfing the backyard, we are going to try spreading the compost over it and planting the grass that we pull our of our gardens into it. It may take a bit longer but should have the same effect...if we can save it from the chooks.

Our next project in planning stage is to build a greenhouse where we can get seedlings growing and keep some of our garden supplies. Hopefully it will also use up some of the excess wood that we still have from our back yard retainer wall.

Anyways, you are now up to date...'til next time.