Good news!

Because Griff and Jack were born 9 weeks early, it was recommended by the neonatologists in Shreveport that they be evaluated by an early intervention program.  We didn't start the process in Louisiana because right about the time for the evaluation we would be moving.  So once we got settled in Florida, I contacted Early Steps and they came out Friday to do their evaluation.  The team consisted of the social worker, a Physical Therapist and a Developmentalist.  These three ladies were amazing.  There is something to be said about three women sitting on the floor with your children showing such enthusiasm at every tasks the boys were able to complete.  The assessed their reflexes, their movements while stationary, and their locomotion.  Both boys scored great in all areas! I was so relieved.  The Developmentalist checked their social skills, communication, motor and cognitive skills.  Again, both boys did great.  I was happy to find out that because of their scores, neither qualified for Early Steps Intervention, which I am glad that they didn't need it but then sad that these awesome women weren't going to be assisting with our boys anymore.  They were pretty upset too since they fell in love with Griff's big blue eyes and Jack's sweet smile right away.  The PT told Griffin not to score too well or she couldn't come back to visit him.  He doesn't listen so well!!  They gave us some areas to work on in the future but other than normal pediatrician visit- we are all clear in that area. 

Today we had an appointment in Pensacola with the pediatric cardiologist to recheck the PDAs that both boys had in their hearts. PDAs are farely common in preemies and its basically a duct that all babies have open in utero since the mother is providing the oxygen for the baby and they aren't using their own lungs yet. Once a full term baby is born, the duct closes off shortly after birth to allow the blood that would normally bypass the lungs to now flow through the lungs to become oxygenated before pumping to the rest of the body.  Due to the prematurity, the duct just hadn't fully closed off when they were discharged from the NICU.  The cardiologist listened to their hearts and he couldn't hear the SWOOSH from the PDAs but to be sure he ran an echo on both boys.  They did great during all the testing.  We were at Nemours Children's Hospital and these people really now how to take care of babies (and mommy).  I was very impressed! So again, mixed feelings that we won't be going back for care there but also happy . . . .that we won't be going back for care there.  Griff and Jack's PDAs have completely closed off and there is no need for follow-up exams or any precautions when they are older and ready to run, jump and play like little boys do.

Griff did NOT like when the nurse took his blood pressure. See the tiny little cuff. This was actually the second time she had to take it since the first time, he cried so much, the reading was artificially elevated and too inaccurate. He is really keeping an eye on her!!

 

Jack was as sweet as ever, he smiled at everything. He actually was laughing when Griff was so upset about having to get his blood pressure checked. He really didn't care too much that the dr was trying to get his attention.
 

Thankfully, Griff decided to charm Dr. Blanchard.  They got along great!