Evaluations

Thursday we had the early intervention group, Wonderland, come to the house and evaluate Russell for different areas of development. It is one the best things you can do for a kid that you suspect will have developmental delays. I'm not entirely sure how exactly they help develop a baby except apparently they play a lot so we not supposed to get mad when it looks like they aren't doing anything (read it in a book). Russell is at a less than one month old developmentally. We aren't supposed to take that information to heart because he is so young.  It's hard to know what is a true delay and what is normal for a kid his age, especially one recovering from heart surgery.

For example, he didn't always follow the object in front of him (except his bottle, of course) very well. It would take him a second to catch up to the object. The pediatrician said it was normal for his age but the therapists didn't give him points for it. (He was scored with a 1 or 0 on every category).

Within a hour of the two therapists leaving, Wonderland called to make an appointment.  They are coming on Monday with a speech pathologist and our Family Resource Coordinator.  Apparently, Russell is not "cooing" enough, at least that's why we think a speech pathologist is coming to see a 2 1/2 month old. Different therapists and the FRC will come to house once a week for a hour.  I will not be at the appointments. I have mixed feelings about it. I would like to be at every appointment he ever has but really, coming home for an hour appointment every week is not practical.  I would lose at least 3 hours of work. I am thinking about asking them to come in the afternoon once I get home.  If not, Matt can teach me the techniques to help Russell.

Friday we had a pediatrician appointment. Russell is 10 pounds 1 ounce! The pediatrician is very happy with how he is doing. He got a few shots and took them like a man. He only cried a little. :)

Both Wonderland and the pediatrician commented on how much energy he has. It is so great that he finally has energy and is moving around a lot.