Such a sad weekend

A fellow MOM who delivered at the same hospital I did had triplets about 2 months ago. One of their daughters got NEC this past week and passed away this weekend. I have cried so many tears that I didnt' know I had that many! I think that it is hitting me hard because she was around the same gestation that Jon and Matthew were when they were born. I have been looking at my beautiful boys and am so thankful for them.

We got a call around 9 Thursday morning asking if we wanted to come in for their appoitment instead of next Friday.

He focused more on Matthew than Christopher. The developmental assessments that he gave Matthew showed he was about a 4 and 3/4 to 5 year level for his knowledge. He said that Matthew at his age should know 6 letters and recognize his name and be able to count to 10. He could only count to 5 BUT he could draw a person with 8 items on them and that is a 5 year old level. Matthew could answer qustions like "What state do you live in?" and "What is a clock used for?" (his answer was to let mommy know she has to wake me up in the morning). He asked what happens when we touch the stove when it is hot. Matthew's response was "I get a booboo." He said there wasa lot that he did know that is at a level a year ahead of him....

When the doctor physically examened Matthew he said that his hips were tilted outwards and he had a tibial tortion.

He had a hell of a time imititating pictures. Even with a pencil grip he couldn't draw a triangle and square. He swore that he was able to and even pointed out his lines. It looked more like a triangle. The doctor tried many different attempts to get him to do a square and he just couldn't do it. He couldn't make an "A" either. The doctor said based on observation, etc that Matthew COULD have a perception issue.

He could also have some ADHD but he said that it is way too early to tell and label him with that.

He said that Matthew is a very bright boy that has obvious motor issues and a HUGE speech issue. The placement that we chose to put him in is the perfect placement for him. He will put that it his report and we can share it with the school system.

As far as Christopher....he said that he is progressing just very slowly. We are to continue what we are doing. We go back in February.

Remember the hellish photo op of 2007?

I must have been drunk to think about it again....but it wasn't bad this time! We attempted pictures today with Josh, Jon, Matthew, Christopher, Jenna, and Juliana. They were running late at the place where we went so I was afraid....very afraid..... Afterall, I still have flashbacks of http://lifewith4men.blogspot.com/2007/11/christmas-pictures.html BUT, they were all well behaved and the pictures turned out great!

We went from there to Applebee’s and that was where the fiasco began…..Josh asked to order an oreo milkshake. When Jon had to pee, I took both him and Matthew (who by the way have mastered peeing in the potty at the same time. They stand on the sides of the toilet and pee at the same time into it). Chris stayed with Joshua who gave him sips of his milkshake. Chris wanted the milkshake and kept signing “Give me more” Then Jon, Matthew and Christopher got their food and Josh and mine was forgotten. By the time we got it, the little ones were ready to go home. I was embarrassed by their behavior BUT was very relieved when our waitress told us that they were wonderful and I had another waitress stopped over and said the same thing. PHEW!

As the waitress was trying to help me and play with Chris to keep him occupied she asked him a question and he, of course, didn’t answer. Afterwards she ended up talked to me about speech delays and said her son has verbal paraxial http://www.speechville.com/diagnosis-destinations/apraxia/presentation-agin.html and gave me hope about Chris and what he can or may do. We have not been formally diagnosed with anything but were told by “Stupid neurologist” that he was autistic, which I don’t believe in a heartbeat. She said that her son spoke often but was not able to be understood….again….hmmmm….gets me thinking Matthew too? Matthew has all these symptoms “Hypotonia (truncal) May have gross and fine motor incoordination Motor planning difficulties Sensory integration/self-regulatory issues Delayed or mixed dominance”

We’ll hopefully find out soon! We have an appoitment next Friday that may help us have some answers…..

My smart boys

Jonathan refused to wear a pull up last night and he was dry this morning! WAHOO! This is an awesome thing!

Watch this, excuse the stupid voice in the background :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqERn0qOsYU

I'm trying to find information on fish oil and DHA and how it can affect positively children with developmental delays. It looks like it helps with brain development. I need to find more information so I can share with George. If it does help, I think we're going to start giving it to Chris and maybe Matthew.