Beth & Coop 🤟🏻

This was a new one. And I promise we aren’t laughing at him, just at the creativity of the excuse.

A waxing gibbous, duh. 🌖

Come on, cat. I was trying to make a point here.

This one will never not be funny.

He even told the family in front of us on the airplane “My mommy has TWIN babies in her tummy.” 🫠 I do not. For the record.

Homework this week: learn his interpreter’s name. In all seriousness, Coop was so excited to introduce me to his new ASL interpreter for preschool. I feel so fortunate to be in a school district with a deaf and HoH teacher who advocates like crazy for her kiddos. I know I’ve mentioned this, but part of Cooper’s IEP is an ASL interpreter. In listening to Cooper and observing how he communicates, it would be easy to assume he has no need for an interpreter. But the truth is that he takes in so much sign language receptively. It not only helps him in situations where he may have trouble hearing with his cochlear implants or is not wearing them at all, but it also ensures that he has access to exactly the same information that all of the hearing children in his class do. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating… deaf children with hearing devices are still deaf children. ❤️

Earth Taco and Coop. A love story. 🫶🏻 (I hate that I even have to add this but the cat is living its best life. He loves Coop and runs to him immediately every day. If he wanted to escape he would, and has. This is how children learn to handle animals and Coop is incredibly good with them)

Replying to @HeatherMarieDivelbliss at least they’re cute. 🫠

I’ve spent the last five years being scared to speak up about politics, especially since growing a following on a public platform. But I can’t do it anymore. I never want to look back at this election specifically and wish I had done more for this world that our babies exist in. This is who I am, and if it comes as a shock to you, especially with the content I share, then you either aren’t paying attention or I am doing something wrong.

#ad #OrganicValleyPartner Cheese is a major food group in our house, no matter who you ask. Luckily new Flavor Favorites from @organicvalley make it easier than ever to elevate various meals, including this mac and cheese! Click the link in my bio to learn more about Organic Valley Flavor Favorites. #OrganicValley #FlavorFavorites

Replying to @Yvonne Achuff hope this helps! #Deaf #hearingloss #cochlearimplantkids #totalcommunication #asl #signlanguage #cochlearimplants #deafkidsrock

Sometimes I just cannot believe he is my child. 🤣

Someday maybe he will sign. Today is not that day.

I have trust issues. Attempting this trend proved that. 🙃

He chose this outfit on his own, charged to the front of the line, hopped on the podium, and gave these smiles. May that confidence never leave you, Coop. ✨

The one where Earth Taco has a cold. 🐈 🌍 🌮

Well this sure took a turn I wasn’t expecting. 😅😳

We’ve been using sign more often in scenarios like this now that Cooper recognizes the value of it and how it bridges a communication gap for him in crowded and loud places. I used to be self conscious about signing in public because my sign isn’t perfect. It’s very much SimCom, meaning I sign in the order I speak rather than not speaking and using ASL structure. But you know what? That’s the reality of raising a deaf child with hearing devices. They benefit from both languages and it’s difficult not to use them simultaneously. I’ve come to realize that it still communicates the point for Cooper and that I need to let go of “perfect.” Long story short, don’t try to learn sign from people like me. Seek out a deaf individual or a reliable course. #Deaf #hearingloss #cochlearimplantkids #totalcommunication #asl #signlanguage #cochlearimplants #deafkidsrock

Replying to @Aiden Jay Kaplan Choosing to reply to a kind comment on this video instead of the crappy ones… But a few things. 1. Sometimes a rainbow flag is just a rainbow flag. Sometimes it’s more. Cooper knows on a basic level what this flag stands for because of conversations like this one. I wasn’t going to share this conversation because it was one of those sweet moments I wanted for us. But the comments on the video just make me more sure than ever that people need to be exposed to moments like these. 2. We’ve never had this exact conversation. Cooper’s revelation that people loving who they love means more beauty in the world is ALL him and that amazing little mind. 3. If you’re pressed about a 5-year-old holding a rainbow flag, I’d hate to see what you’re like when presented with actual issues. 4. Adults can learn from the way children view the world. Carry on, friends. 🌈

Happy fifth birthday to my chaotic little best friend. ⭐️ 🌍 🚀