Our pumpkin has had a busy, busy day; a fact that is reflected by his deep slumber in his pack and play an hour before his bed time.
He was evaluated this morning by early intervention (a program that follows babies/children "at risk" for having developmental delays). He of course was very cooperative and quite charming during their evaluation. I think I have mentioned before about the "corrected age", so they are evaluating him based on a 6 month old not a 9 month old. His social skills are right on target for a 5-6 month old. For motor skills he is not quite as advanced and is more on target for a 0-2 month old (based on ability to hold head up, grasp toys, shake toys, etc.) The thing that I found encouraging is that his interaction at this age isn't "taught", whereas some motor issues may be more a factor of his prolonged, prolonged hospitalization and with more utilization and practice will start to come along. They will start seeing him once a week to work on these skills.
Then we had yet another doctor's appointment which was a traumatizing experience for us all! The good news is that he has gained 5 ounces in the past 2 weeks and is now 13 pounds 6 ounces. At the end of our appointment they attempted to draw blood which with him is NOT an easy task (his poor little veins have all but disappeared after so many IVs, blood draws, etc.) The doctor tried and wasn't able to get it and our poor baby just cried, and cried, and cried. We have never seen him cry so intensely for such an extended period of time. His face and chest were splotchy. It was heartbreaking. But by the time we got home he was back to his old self practicing his new found skill of blowing "raspberries" and playfully yelling at the top of his lungs!
Whew! So we are all ready for bed and looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow!
He was evaluated this morning by early intervention (a program that follows babies/children "at risk" for having developmental delays). He of course was very cooperative and quite charming during their evaluation. I think I have mentioned before about the "corrected age", so they are evaluating him based on a 6 month old not a 9 month old. His social skills are right on target for a 5-6 month old. For motor skills he is not quite as advanced and is more on target for a 0-2 month old (based on ability to hold head up, grasp toys, shake toys, etc.) The thing that I found encouraging is that his interaction at this age isn't "taught", whereas some motor issues may be more a factor of his prolonged, prolonged hospitalization and with more utilization and practice will start to come along. They will start seeing him once a week to work on these skills.
Then we had yet another doctor's appointment which was a traumatizing experience for us all! The good news is that he has gained 5 ounces in the past 2 weeks and is now 13 pounds 6 ounces. At the end of our appointment they attempted to draw blood which with him is NOT an easy task (his poor little veins have all but disappeared after so many IVs, blood draws, etc.) The doctor tried and wasn't able to get it and our poor baby just cried, and cried, and cried. We have never seen him cry so intensely for such an extended period of time. His face and chest were splotchy. It was heartbreaking. But by the time we got home he was back to his old self practicing his new found skill of blowing "raspberries" and playfully yelling at the top of his lungs!
Whew! So we are all ready for bed and looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow!
posted by Jen | 6:59 PM
1 Comments:
...Sounds like some very good reports from the doctors. I really do think that a lot of the lessor rated skills are ones that he was inhibited from learning or practicing since he was in the hospital for so long. I truly believe that as he adjusts to life at home he will pick up these skills pretty quickly.
I can't wait to practice some raspberries with him! Give my darlin' a kiss from his "Aunt" Sue, and here's a big one for you and Martin too!
Love, Sue
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