New therapist

We saw the new therapist on Tuesday and I like her so much more than the last one because she actualyl listens to me. Anyway, we got lots of new exercises - helping to transition to a sit and stand (in various ways, depending on which girl I'm working with since they have different strengths and different ways of moving), practicing a side sit to build of core strength, and helping with crawling. What I also like about this new therapist is that she seems more flexible with the exercises. She said she wants to girls to master their next skills in the easiest way possible for them. From there, we work on them mastering the spectrum of movement. So, for example, Evelyn wants to pull up to a sit from her side. Clara is less traditional and wants to get to a sit from a crawl position. We hold weight down on Evelyn's thigh to get her to pull herself up and, for Clara, we get her on all fours and then tug on her hips to get her to scooch back into a sit. The therapist said that once they can do the movement, the other ways of getting there will come more naturally. Our old therapist would have had one way to do an exercise and made us force it.

Take care,
Kris

Brain Ultrasounds

The girls had their ultrasounds last week. No change. Clara's ventricles look the same and Evelyn's fluid looks the same. Certainly we were hoping for things to be improving, but staying the same is better than getting worse. As long as we're still looking at benign anomalies, we're happy.

We start PT with our new therapist tomorrow. I'm happy to get some new exercises as the girls have outgrown their last set.

And, finally, good luck to Jordy today.

Take care,
Kris

9 Month Well Baby

I took the girls to see their doctor today. Clara is 15 lbs 8 oz (5th percentile) and Evelyn in 18 lbs 5 oz (45th percentile). Clara is 20th percentile in height. I don't know Evelyn's percentile becuase they had to remeasure her and they forgot to give me her new percentile. She's a little over an inch taller than Clara though. Clara's head is 80th percentile and Evelyn's is >97th.

We're going to repeat the brain ultrasounds on both girls just to follow-up on the fluid and enlarged ventricles. Doc's not too worried about anything...he sounded more like he wanted to do it to give us some peace of mind. Both their fontanels were open and soft like they should be. Doc's also working on getting their Synagis lined up for RSV season. Alex came with me so we all got our first of two flu shots.

Clara is working on trying to crawl. She kind of knee hops a little. Evelyn got up on all fours a couple days ago, so we think she's not too far behind. Their PT had to take a medical leave of absence so we've been without therapy for 3 weeks. It's been a nice break, but I'm anxious to get them back into the swing of things. Their doctor was a little concerned about Evelyn's neck tilt...surprise surprise. So, it's be nice to get back into therapy and get some new exercises. The current ones don't seem to be making much of a difference.

We started letting them try to grasp at Cheerios. They're pretty bad at it, but it keeps them occupied and makes dinner time more peaceful.

I had a follow-up with my doctor about my thyroid. I have to go in for an ultrasound so he can get a good view of it. He's hopeful that it was a post-partum onset and, as such, may eventually start to regulate itself and I'd be able to go off the meds. Let's hope!

No other news to report except watching out for Ike and anxiously awaiting reports from Houston-residing Papa and Maggie. I'm afraid my old home may end up quite soggy and certainly the beach I know best, Galveston, will be quite affected.

Take Care,

Kris

Crawling?

Clara got up on all fours yesterday and did a little shimmy. It wasn't exactly a crawl, but still pretty exciting! Evelyn seems to be a little limited by her massive head :) Between the size and the persistent tilt, she's lagging a little bit behind Clara. Both girls are sitting up unsupported though - Clara for maybe 10 minutes; Evelyn has to be really convinced to do it, but she will eventually for 2-3 minutes.

That all - good week!

Take care,
Kris