speech, OT, PT

My weeks have been consumed with appointments. A year ago, we knew this would be our life. However, I didn't really understand what that really meant or looked like. I wanted to give an update on what the therapists are saying about the boys.

Physical therapy
Braxton:
We have been working on bearing weight on his hands and knees (in preparation for crawling). He is tucking his knees under his body, but does not stay on his hands unless supported by us. Yesterday, however, I looked over at him and he was on ALL fours. IT was for a second, but I was gleaming! We will keep working on this. He just needs practice in order to strengthen his upper body.
He is moving all over the house using his own style of crawling. Yesterday he and xander were found in the shower! They are starting to act like typical twins....when they can speak, I look forward to hearing them finish each other's sentences.

Xander:
He goes to PT only 2 times a month and only for 30 min. at a time. IT's more of a check up, vs therapy sessions. He is doing everything he should be doing (and more) at 9 months adjusted. He is cruising along the furniture, standing whenever he can reach something to help him pop up, crawls like a mad man, and sits very nicely, unsupported. There's no real concern about his gross motor skills. Fine motor is coming along too...using certain grasps and picking up little baby puffs, etc. is what we are working on now.

Occupational Therapy
Braxton:
we are working on holding bottles on his own. He still wants us to hold it. He really doesn't show any interests right now, to hold it on his own. We are also working on eating chunkier foods, getting his tongue moving laterally to avoid gagging.

Xander:
Xander sees an OT weekly to work mostly on feeding issues. He does NOT like chunky food. In fact more often than not he will gag and throw up. This is directly associated with being in the hospital and intubated. Everything that was oral was negative and now he has a bad association. Also his muscles in his cheeks are tight, and he's not moving his tongue like he should. So the therapist gives us oral motor exercises to help in this area.

Speech:
Both boys are speaking as though a 3-6 month old would. They do not really babble, more of coo's. At this age (9 months adjusted), they should be saying "dada", "mama", "papa", etc. Hard consonant sounds. We are working on it.... They get a hearing test next month to rule out any hearing issues associated to their speech.

Inland Regional Center comes twice a week for 2 hours at a time to work on development in all areas. I love the teacher that comes...she is really great with the kids. They love her too!

All in all, things are moving right along. I have learned to keep my expectations high, while focusing on age appropriate goals. I often look at them as 13 months, and thats not fair to them. I need to remember that they are functioning as a 9 months old.

thanks for your continued support in our boy's lives!