Wednesday, Early Intervention came to evaluate you. We were already told that you would qualify because of your medical history. They told us that they do not correct for prematurity, so that means that they were testing you on a 3 month scale when you are technically only 3 weeks. You were average in the receptive category, low average in the personal/social category, and had a significant delay in the following: adaptive, communication, expressive, gross motor, fine motor, and cognitive. They kept telling us that you were not "behind," and that preemies usually catch up by the time they are 2 or 3. Sometimes it takes a bit longer to catch up, but eventually you would catch up. They said that they would expect what they saw for a newborn, which is basically what you are right now. In addition to OT, they recommended speech and PT. We have an appointment with speech on Monday to evaluate you. On July 1st, we have an appointment to go over the financial aspect of the therapies. They charge you based on your income, and told us that it might be cheaper through insurance to go through outpatient therapy. We still have to look into it, but the disadvantage of going through insurance is that we would have to travel to get the therapy, where early intervention comes to you. Other than that, they were here for two hours asking questions and looking at you. We will put together a plan once PT and speech come see you. The therapies will be at the same time every week.
Today we went to the pediatrician. We had an appointment for Monday, but we ended up going today. I called because you haven't went to the bathroom in 3 days (which when we went last week to the pediatrician he said was normal as long as your stool was soft) and I figured they would tell me to go get some prune juice. They did not - they said to come in today. We went and they said that there is nothing they can do for you right now, just that you would eventually go to the bathroom. They said they didn't want to give you any prune juice or any juice because your stool is still soft when you go. If we gave you juice, it could cause diarrhea and we don't want that. They recommended doing bicycle exercises, massaging your tummy, and putting a thermometer you know where. All of the things I was already doing previous to going to the doctor. Hopefully you will go soon.
When we got to the pediatrician, the secretary told us that we wouldn't have to go to the appointment on Monday, that we could get your 4 month shots today as well. You got 3 shots, and one oral vaccine. You cried for less than a minute, and then you were back to normal. They weighed you and got your length today. You weigh 8 lb., 9 oz. and you are 20 inches long. They plotted your growth and length on a chart, and gave us the papers so we could see how you are doing.
Other than that, we are hanging in there. People have given us meals which we are very appreciative for. The days go by so fast. I feel like we feed you and change you and then I get a few things done and it is time to do it all over again. Having meals prepared already is a big help. We are slowly having people come over, and yes we are scheduling when people come. We have a lot of appointments and having people over the same day that we have evaluations or appointments is a lot for me right now. I feel as if I will be overwhelmed if a lot of people come at the same time, so we limit the amount of people. I also need a nap each day, so people just dropping by doesn't work out that well unfortunately. I get a little moody if I don't get my nap in! People have been great about coming in and washing their hands without us even asking (we are so thankful for that!). We hope everyone understands where we are coming from!
I am exhausted right now so I am headed to bed. Again, I apologize for not writing every day and sometimes not even every other day. Once this schedule loosens up a bit I will get more sleep and will be able to write more!
We are proud of how well you are doing at home, Mason. Every time I look at you I am reminded how strong you are. We love you so much and even though we are exhausted some days, we wouldn't have it any other way!
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