December 17, 2008

We had NICU clinic today and it went GREAT! We got to see our doctor AND give her our gift. As you know, we love love love her. She is NOT an emotional type OR warm fuzzy type person. An exellent doctor? YES, but warm fuzzy she is not, which at first rubbed me the wrong way, because I like warm fuzzy people that can be reassuring and sympathetic/empathetic when needed. But in the end, we adored her for her dedication, knowledge, and caring for our wee lads.

And, when we gave her the gift we made for her.....she CRIED. Big tears of happiness. The nurse in clinic said that it was the coolest gift she had ever seen her receive. What a great great feeling! And the therapists in clinic (OT, PT, Speech) all GUSHED over it (and my hansome boys too). It was a HUGE hit. We told her how much we adore her and how greatful we are to her, and she cried again.

It was wonderful....absolutely wonderful. Curt and I felt pretty darn good when we walked out of there. She just loved it! We are SO glad!

And....we found out SHE is expecting HER first child Very cool.

The boys are doing well. All passed the screening with flying colors. I'm sure you already know, but they adjust their age for developmental milestones based on their prematurity. So instead of 3 1/2 mo, they're more like 1 3/4 months developmentally, because they were not even supposed to be born until 1.5 months later than they were. During clinic, each therapist (PT, OT, and speech) does an evaluation on each boy, and we get a "report card" which rates where each baby is at developmentally.

So...we'll start with Alec. This is what his report card says:
Chronological age: 3 1/4 months
Adjusted Age: 1 3/4 months

Developmental profile today:
1. Perceptual/Fine Motor: 2 months
2. Play Skills: 1-2 months
3. Language Skills
(a) Receptive Language: 1-2 months
(b) Expressive Language: 1-2 months
4. Social/Emotional: 1-2 months
5. Gross Motor Skills: 1-2 months
6. Feeding Skills: No Concerns

Evan:
Chronological age: 3 1/4 months
Adjusted Age: 1 3/4 months

Developmental profile today:
1. Perceptual/Fine Motor: 2 months
2. Play Skills: 1-2 months
3. Language Skills
(a) Receptive Language: 2-3 months
(b) Expressive Language: 2-3 months
4. Social/Emotional: 2-3 months
5. Gross Motor Skills: 2 months
6. Feeding Skills: No Concerns

So, their "report cards" list where they are at developmentally, and for the most part, Alec is AT his ADJUSTED developmental age, and Evan is AT or a touch ahead. So yay!!!! They'll go back in May!

We did discuss Evan's strong preference to look to the left, which has started to make a little flattening on the left side of his head, and has some SLIGHT tightning of the muscles there so they gave us some exercises to do with him to keep things loose, and keep him looking both ways and not favoring one side. Nothing of major concern though, and they stressed that his preference issue is VERY mild, and not of concern.

Neither the doctor, nor any of the therapists (PT, OT, speech) had any other concerns about where either was at developmentally based on their age, corrected for prematurity So, things are going well! We were a LITTLE disappointed because a couple of our favorite nurses were in today, but not able to come out to see us because there was a delivery that NICU nurses were needed at, so they were covering the NICU, meaning watching more babies than usual and can't sneak away for a second. We were disappointed, but we'll stop up maybe in Jan after the boys' 4 mo check up at the pediatrician.

It's hard not to worry, even though I KNOW they were premature, because based on their CHRONOLOGICAL age, they ARE behind. But, we are reminded not to go based on that, because they have a 6 week grace period

We were also told that starting solids is based on thier CORRECTED ages, so while they recommend babies start solids between 4-6 months, they don't recommend our boys start them until 5.5-7.5 months. They simply won't be developmentally ready before then. So, that was good to know!

All in all, good visit. Happy doctor, healthy babies, all is well.

OH....one last thing. They did weigh and measure the boys at clinic today, but they weighed them just after eating and with their diapers on (so we reweighed them tonight before feeding so we could keep an accurate log!):

Evan:
Weight:
(At clinic w/ diaper after eating)- 12 lb 8.6 oz
(Home)- 12lb 4.32 oz
Length: 22 1/2 inches

Alec:
Weight:
(At clinic w/ diaper after eating)- 10 lb 11 oz
(home)- 10lb 7.1 oz
Length: 22 1/4 inche

Alec is only a quarter inch shorter than Evan! Holy MOSES!!!!!!!!!!! Evan is short and stout right now!!!! Hahahahaha.