Brouzinly Love

For the most part; Justin kept pulling Aiden's hair and jerking his head.

We're making progress

Today Justin ate 5 of the Gerber graduates puffs during his OT session. I know you're probably thinking "so what, big deal" but this is HUGE for Justin. Until recently he gagged and threw up whenever anything thicker than pureed foods touched his mouth so it looks like the mouth stretches are working. Hilary (his occupational therapist) was very happy with his progress so now the focus is on getting him to feed himself.

Well wouldn't you know he fed himself when we got home from OT. He's been grabbing the spoon and putting it in his mouth since we started solids but he's never grabbed/reached for finger foods. But I went ahead and put about 6 puffs on his tray and he grabbed and ate 3.

Here are some pictures from dinner time. Note to self: don't leave a bowl of food on the tray if you actually want the food to get into your child's stomach.

Interesting Tidbit

The occupational therapist with Early Intervention was concerned that Justin may skip crawling and go straight to walking and said that you don't want that to happen. When I asked why she told me that children who skip crawling have developmental delays later on. She specifically mentioned having problems learning how to ride a bike because crawling helps develop left-right coordination.

I know a couple of people who skipped crawling and as far as I'm aware neither of them have had any problems, so at today's OT session I mentioned it to Hilary and asked her thoughts on the matter. She agreed with the other OT and also added that mild learning disabilities have been linked to kids who skip crawling.

I've never heard of this before so I don't know what to think, so let me know your thoughts.

Justin & Lil Donne

EI Summer Program - Week 4

We had our last session of the summer program on Monday and the OT spoke with the parents about sensory integration and provided us with pamphlets on ways to work with our kids.

Even though the program activities are designed for older kids I still think it was a good thing for us to attend, even if just for informational purposes. And Justin became more interactive week by week and really started enjoying the gross motor activities/play.

Sorry, no pictures this week.

EI Summer Program - Week 3

This week a social worker talked with the parents about the importance of our role as advocates for our kids. She also discussed the resources available to us through the Early Intervention program.

The OT worked with Justin and was impressed with the progress he's made these past 3 weeks.

A Day at the Zoo

Saturday I got to take Justin to the zoo. I guess he enjoyed himself since he was in a good mood the entire time even though I interrupted his nap when I had difficulty putting him in his stroller and we had to wait out a rain shower under a tree.

The only animal he seemed to appreciate was a seagull. His eyes never left the bird as it flew back and forth across the sky. I couldn't even get him to notice the fabulous peacocks behind us.

Justin's helmet attracted attention from passersby. One lady said he was the second child she had seen that day in a "football helmet," and a mother commented that her little boy would be getting one soon. She stopped me to ask if the helmet bothered "my son."

Greenfield Village

Today Justin & I went to Greenfield Village with my dad, sisters & Aiden. It was a nice outing but we weren't able to see all of the exhibits so we plan on taking another trip to the village, but next time we'll go earlier before it gets too hot.

10 months (adjusted)

EI Summer Program - Week 2

Carl's on vacation this week and joined us for this week's session of the early intervention summer program. I think Carl enjoyed the arts & craft project more than Justin.

This week they had a nurse talk to the parents about nutrition while the staff watched all of the children. This was the first time we've left Justin with strangers, and even though it was only for about 15 minutes I was still a little ancy and couldn't wait to get back to Justin. But he did really well; he spent most of the time in the car below.


Convertibles are definitely more my style!

I guess animal crackers aren't that bad after all.

Daddy, let me do some of it PLEASE!

Chillin

Crabby Baby

I think this outfit tells it all since Justin has been really moody & fussy lately. I think he's going through a separation anxiety phase, he cries whenever mommy and daddy put him down and leave the room.

Post op appointment

Justin had his 3 week post-op appointment with the urologist today who was very pleased with his progress. Since he's healing so nicely we don't have to go back for 6 months.

River Walk playdate

My sisters and I took the boys to the Riverwalk for their first official play date. Justin rode on a carousel for the first time and was pretty unimpressed, had a chance to get his feet wet, which he didn't like, and strolled along the river. So it was pretty much a date for us girls rather than the boys, since Justin didn't seem to like anything and Aiden slept through it all.

Helmet adjustment

It's been a month and a half since Justin started wearing the helmet and I'm already noticing an improvement in the shape of his head. It's still flat in the back but is starting to round out and his head doesn't slope as much from the top to the back. The orthotist took his head measurements which definitely prove that the helmet is working and shaved off some of the padding in the back of the helmet to allow more growth in the back of his head. I know we still have a ways to go, but in true Georgina fashion, I asked based on his progress how much longer she thought Justin would need to wear the helmet. She still thought he would need to wear it for 4-6 months but to keep up the good work and she'll see us back in a month for another adjustment. I'm hoping by then there's even more improvement and we'll be closer to 4 months than 6.

Early Intervention Summer Program

Justin was evaluated by Early Intervention back in May but because their program coincides with the school year we weren't able to start receiving individualized services. However, they do offer a summer enrichment program. When we first arrived I felt a little out of place since all of the children were much older, bigger and already walking, but 3 more babies showed up later.

Although its not the one-on-one attention they normally offer in home it gives Justin an opportunity to meet the teachers and therapists that he will be working with this fall. It also gave Justin a chance to interact with other kids. And the occupational therapist (OT) spent some time with him trying to assess his progress and gave some pointers. Even though he's receiving OT through Children's Hospital it doesn't hurt to get opinions and suggestions from others.

The day started off with arts and crafts where Justin had more fun eating the paper and plate than actually working on the project, but he did help put the lion's nose on. Then we moved on to group play and worked on gross motor skills. Once we were finished we had some free time to play so Justin had his first ride in a car and also chilled in the swing.

Bye bye Mom/Grams

Well my mom is on her way back to British Columbia. It was a really nice visit but it flew by so quickly. She stayed with Carlene this time around but spent Saturday night with Carl & I and babysat Justin while we attended a friend's wedding.