First Steps Review

Tonight, despite the tornado warnings and storms, we were able to hold Wade's IFSP review meeting (even if most of it was in the basement). We reviewed his goals made in February and discussed his progress since the last meeting. A few things were also updated as he is growing up and some of his routines have changed. 

A few things to be proud of:

• Wade has completely closed the gap with physical therapy and he's right on target for physical development for a 20 month old. Therefore, he has been discharged from PT (we will definitely miss his therapists, but luckily we're all neighbors!). Although he should continue to work on jumping and throwing/catching/kicking ball skills, there is no need for PT anymore.
• Of the 12 goals that were set in February, Wade accomplished 9 of them within 7 months! That’s 75% accomplished and let me tell you--his mommy and daddy are so proud!!

What to keep working on:

• He will continue to receive speech therapy and occupational therapy once a week. We will also keep our nutritionist consultations for advice/weight checks.
• His speech goal is to say more sounds/words and continuing to sign for communication.
• His feeding goal is to be completely weaned off the bottle by the time the baby comes (January). He eats solid foods and drinks juice from a sippy cup just fine, but still wants the bottle while being held for comfort. I haven’t been very firm in weaning him because I know how important it is for him to consume those calories. However, it’s time for him to be off the bottle!
• His OT goal is to strengthen core muscles, shoulder girdle, and fine motor skills, including the pincer grasp. OT will also help encourage the PT skills that he should continue working on (jumping and ball skills).

20 Weeks and Counting!

So, the half way point in my pregnancy has finally arrived! The second trimester is treating me pretty well and feeling the baby kick and move around is truly awesome! So far, the pregnancy has been great--including less morning sickness than with W! However, I'm gaining weight and showing different than before--my love handles have expanded even more and I hate it!

Yesterday, we had our 20 week ultrasound and met the Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor for high-risk pregnancies. The ultrasound was very exciting and we found out the gender--GIRL!!!! Now my mind is racing with nursery decor, bedding, names, etc! Although we'll re-still use a lot of Wade's equipment and things, I'm still excited about seeing some pink in our house! 

Since we're not doing an amniocentesis test to check for the SDS gene, the only thing the high-risk doctor can do is keep an eye out for IUGR (inter-uterine growth restriction) with this baby. We aren't sure if Wade was IUGR because of SDS, for a reason created by me, or if something went wrong with the pregnancy or development of the placenta. The measurements taken of Baby Girl in the ultrasound showed measurements right on track for 20 weeks. That was a big sigh of relief to hear that the development is normal so far. However, we'll repeat another ultrasound in 6 weeks to check development and growth again. I'm so glad that with this pregnancy, we'll be more cautious and actually do more than one ultrasound! Still praying for a healthy baby! She sure does look cute already!

August Update

I feel like I haven't made a post in forever! Sorry about that, I promise to keep posting! W hasn't had many serious things going on, but there are a few updates to mention:

• W's stools were still really loose on the pancreatic enzymes so the GI doctor finally bumped up the dosage. As of July, he now gets three capsules before he drinks a bottle of Pediasure and two capsules before a meal.
• After about two weeks of the enzyme increase, I told his doctor that his stools have not improved. So the GI doctor explained that sometimes the enzymes' effectiveness can be maximized if the child also takes a proton-pump inhibitor medication (usually prescribed for acid reflux). So, W has been trying out Prilosec to see if his stools improve. The compounded medication is nasty (and I'm talking NASTY because I've tried it) and trying to get W to take the medication was a nightmare. For the first several days, Adam and I struggled with keeping the the medicine in W's mouth from injecting it in his mouth with the syringe. Then, I tried putting it in applesauce, then chocolate pudding, but still no luck with W actually taking the medicine. Finally, I found a fruit juice that masks the nasty flavor of the medication and W is finally able to take his Prilosec. And, I'm happy to say that his stools have finally improved. He actually creates formed stools now!! Hopefully, since we're noticing a change in his stools, we can also notice a change in weight gain? (We've only been waiting for him to gain weight for about 7 months now!)
• We did go to the pediatrician in early August because W was cranky and pulling at his ears. Luckily, no ear infection was present! But we did find out that his right ear tube that was still holding on is now working its way out! I'm frustrated because his left ear tube began working its way out within 10 days of surgery and now his right tube started working its way out 6 months later! The pediatrician ordered a hearing test to make sure W still has good hearing with those tubes coming out. Finally, a happy note with his ears because he passed the hearing test with flying colors!
• Over the weekend, W pinched his finger in a sand bucket and it formed a blood blister. I instantly worried about it turning into an infection and wouldn't you know it--it's infected! I put antibiotic ointment on it tonight but I'm calling the doctor tomorrow. Darn infections!