Today we went back to the hospital to go to the twins' eight month developmental assessment. Since preemies often have delays in their development, the hospital likes to see them every four months (for now) to see if things are going as they should. If they are, great. If not, they are a source for things like physical therapy. The physical therapist we saw today is the same one who has evaluated both kids at home before and I really like her. We also saw one of the neonatologists that the twins' had in the NICU. The evaluation went very well. They check all the major milestones, plus a whole list of little things that most people wouldn't think about: do they pass a toy from one hand to the other (both yes), bang toys together (Eleanor does), smack flat surfaces (Eleanor does), look for a dropped toy (Adam does), look for a toy that has been covered with a blanket (both do), etc. This time, there was a woman (I don't know her title) who asked a series of questions about the twins' socialization. She asked if they respond to their name (yes), react to angry voices (when do they hear angry voices??), put their arms up when they are going to be picked up (yes), wave bye-bye (neither do), and so on. Honestly, I don't always know the answers to the questions! I don't know if that makes me a bad mom or a really busy one. Believe it or not, both Adam and Eleanor did so well that the PT said they don't need any physical therapy (!), but to keep her number in case I have any concerns. They are both in their age range in the socialization area, so the only issue we have to deal with is Adam's eating. When it comes down to it, we are extremely blessed, so I'm going to stop getting so upset about it. He's in the 40th percentile for his adjusted age for weight and 55th for length, so even though he's not 19 lbs 13 oz like his sister, his 18 lbs 4 oz. is just fine, thank you.
After our appointment, we went to visit the NICU since it's in the same building. One of the nurses who took care of Elenaor just about every day for the first three weeks was there. When she saw Eleanor, she scooped her up, gave her some cuddles, and then whisked her away. She said, "I'm taking her away, Michelle." Ok, fine, I mean she knows how to take care of a baby, right? I find out she took her to where the neonatologist and staff were rounding about the current patients! So I pushed Adam (who slept through the whole visit) over in his stroller to say hello. We saw another neonatologist that the twins' had while in the NICU. She just happens to be the wife of their current pediatrician--which I love because I know they can chat about them at home--which I found out they do :) The nurse rocked Eleanor to sleep and put her back in the stroller and we were off. All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better day. Our next assessment will be in January when they are one year adjusted. (Photos to come.)
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1 comment:
So happy that the assessment went so well! It sounds like Adam is in good shape when you plot his weight for adjusted age. I find that I ended up having to take the same view as you: to stop worrying about A's eating and just know that she was doing well enough. That is about the time she started packing on the pounds. Granted, Adam has much more severe feeding issues, but I really hope that he has the same reaction to your new way of thinking! Go babies--you're doing awesome!
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