Early Intervention Appointment

 Hello All,  this is Phoebe checking in again for a update like old times (was that really just several weeks ago?).

Brad and Charis had an appointment to set Leo up in the Early Intervention Program. Early Intervention coordinates therapies like speech, physical, and occupational. They assessed Leo in 5 domains (Cognitive, Communicative, Adaptive, Social-Emotional, and Physical) and helped Brad and Charis set a few (more) short term goals for him. Based on Charis's initial impression, it was a bit of a reality check for her but a little bit of encouraging clarity for Brad.

The good news is that Leo is right where a 2 month old should be on the developmental chart for his Adaptive abilities. He is bottle feeding and nursing like a champ and he sleep well and for appropriate intervals. 

The other areas showed a few concerns. The actual damage caused by the hypoxia and the usual delay that kiddos who are born early and need a NICU stay with heavy medication are the main contributing factors. It seems impossible to tell what is a true deficit, and what is only a delay. Charis related the following: 

-They held a big black and yellow dot above Leo to see if his eyes would focus on it and track it. While it seemed like he started to, it was delayed and not sustained. He is also not looking toward sound. The nurse also said the eyes are the last system to develop, so she is hopeful that he will continue to make improvements. 

-His muscles are still hypotonic based on this most recent assessment. The nurse felt he was able to control him arms sometimes, but he would let them flail when laying on his back, rather than drawing them into his body. He can lift his head well, but only the left or right, not straight up. 

-He is starting to make louder noises and cries, but the nurse pointed out that he doesn't make happy sounds yet.

All of these things mean that Charis and Brad have to tackle a few more suggestions to help Leo. On a daily basis, they are teaching him to suck properly with exercises, practicing  latching and nursing (so still pumping and bottle feeding), holding him upright for 20 minutes after every feed so he doesn't have reflux, helping him hold his head up with special positioning, encouraging him to hold his arms close to his body with a boppy pillow, and trying to engage with his eyes, on top of all the usual brand new baby changes like figuring out his hunger cues and how to help him sleep longer. So overwhelming! You prayers that Brad and Charis would have peace about Leo's future and that Charis specifically can cast her cares on Jesus, not shouldering a burden she shouldn't carry by herself. If you all would like to join me, I will be praying this verse for them: 

"But [the Lord] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 1 Corinthians 12:9.