Timothy's evaluation today

First of all, many thanks to all who have prayed for us today! I was very nervous about today's meeting. In case you aren't familiar with what I'm talking about, you can read about a discouraging home visit we had recently here and also about some of our fears that we had after that visit here. That led us up to today when Timothy was to be evaluated for eligibility for intervention services (therapy). Basically, it boils down to whether or not Timothy qualifies for some free services through Help Me Grow. If not, we would need to pursue private therapy. Like I said, I was really nervous. However, with a big sigh of relief, I can say things went pretty well. Unlike the 1 lady from the last home visit, this man did very little probing into things not pertaining to Timothy nor did he ask a lot of questions regarding the other children. When I mentioned that we homeschool, he was perfectly fine with that and never once pushed or suggested the MRDD school for Timothy (in fact, he discouraged it because of a waiting list). There was some paperwork to be filled out and then he mostly asked me questions about Timothy but he also did some one-on-one things with Timothy. There was a "test" for each area of Timothy's development and at the top of each page, he had a score already written there that was a kind of guideline. After he completed each page, this gentleman was very straight forward and would say things like "I was looking for a score of XX and Timothy scored above that so there's no concern in this area" or "I was looking for a score of XX and Timothy scored just below it which doesn't necessarily qualify him for services but it does raise red flags". Only once did he say Timothy scored well below the target score and that was only in gross motor skills (in other words, walking). Timothy did score below the guideline for language but only by 1 point which is not low enough to qualify him. Based on these scores, Timothy will qualify for therapy but only for physical therapy unless.... This gentleman will compile a report and meet next Wednesday (6/17) with his boss, a nurse, a speech therapist, and a physical therapist to discuss Timothy's scores. If everyone there is in agreement that Timothy might need speech therapy as well, then Timothy will be referred to an actual speech therapist for further evaluation. After the 6/17 meeting, we will be presented with this report and then be offered services. Basically, we'll be offered home based services for Timothy once a month or we'll be offered private in-office therapies for Timothy once a week with therapists at Children's Hospital. We will likely choose the once-a-week option both for getting Timothy off to a more rapid start and because there's another waiting list for the in-home services. If we are unhappy with the options presented to us, we can always pursue private therapies by prescription from our pediatrician. One of my biggest fears was that we wouldn't be able to deny therapies they suggested and this gentleman assured me that was not the case. I also have that in writing with some of the paperwork he left with me. That makes me feel TONS better! And I was told Timothy is a very bright little boy as he scored very well in the other areas such as cognitive skills and fine motor skills. This man told me he'd never seen a 18-month-old hold a marker so properly to draw with! :) Overall, it was a pleasant experience although it left me emotionally drained, probably because I dwelt on it too long while waiting for today to arrive and then waiting until 3 for him to get here! Now we wait and get back to packing! We're leaving for Tennessee first thing Thursday morning so that just leaves me with tomorrow. I'm down to 2 large hampers full of dirty clothes which I'll finish tomorrow (I've done approximately 15 loads of laundry in 2 days) along with some other minor housework issues and then start actually putting things in suitcases! The plan is to vacuum the van sometime tomorrow afternoon or early evening then wash it after church (the road to our church is under construction so I don't want to wash the van until after church), come home & put the kids in bed, load the van with what we can, and hopefully leave around 6 Thursday morning. Yipee!

I've been interviewed

This is probably the closest I'll come to celebrity (unless you count the interview I did on t.v. when I was in middle school....) Check out my answers here!

Missed another one!

It's been a crazy couple of days. I'm WAY overwhelmed with trying to get ready for our quick trip to Tennessee this weekend. Plus getting Nathan & Caleb ready to go home with my Mom and Dad (S. C.) for a few weeks plus getting ready for VBS that starts the day after we get back. So what'd I miss this time? Timothy's 18 month birthday!! (But, hey, it's the 8th so I can wish Justin a happy 18 month birthday!)

Timothy just after birth

About 4 months old
Just after his 1st birthday
Easter this year
(we're becoming slackers on taking new pictures!)
Pray for Timothy in the upcoming weeks as he is evaluated tomorrow for starting speech therapy, as he goes to the ENT on the 16th for his chronic sinus infections, and as he goes under general anesthesia on 7/6 for CAT scan(s) and a bronchoscopy. (And for me as I'll probably be taking him in for his procedures all by myself as Jonathan is running low on vacation days.)

COSI, 6.4.09

Doesn't she just melt your heart?
Nathan's interesting shot....

Boy, don't they look thrilled? (I just love Caleb's crossed eyes!)

Silly boy!

Timothy in Lydia's bouncy....too cute!

Can't believe I missed it!

Bad Mommy, missing Lydia's 3 month mark yesterday! AGH! I don't even have a recent picture. Something's wrong with me....

I think she's 13 weeks now but I could be wrong on the count. Perhaps for Monday, I can get a recent picture for her 14th week mark. Biggest change this month is the smiling & cooing, coming really close to laughing. She seems to be ticklish under her chin. Her nighttime fussiness has been torture these past few days coming between 8 and 10 or so. Last night, it was like constant screaming between 8 and 9:30. :( She has slept through the night a few times, about a week in a row before she started not sleeping through the night (which to me means 6 hours or more). Last night, I think we finally got her settled around 10 and she slept until sometime after 4. The nights she has slept it's been from around 11 until 6, sometimes even 7, but that was only a time or 2. Once she goes for a good stretch, we hope to start trying her in the crib in Timothy's room. I've tried to get her to nap in there & she doesn't go for more than 20 minutes so we may be in for quite a transition. No dr's appt this month (next one 7/20) so no new weight or length to report. She's still comfy in most of her 0-3 month stuff, even wearing a pair of newborn size pants this past week which were a little short (but perfect for the weather, if you ask me!). There's a few things 0-3 that I've already packed away and a few things 3-6 that I've put her in but those are a little big on her still. Can't really tell she's lost any hair & yes, it's still red.

Headed to Tennessee 1 week from tomorrow!
Can't wait to see my new niece & catch up with family!

Body After Baby, week 4

I know it's Tuesday but I had a very busy Monday. Not much to report in weight loss ~ in fact, scale said I was up a pound since 2 weeks ago (remember I didn't weight in for week 3). It's sobering to think that that means I had to have consumed 3500 more calories than I burned during the last 2 weeks, especially considering I had a very productive week last week as far as exercise goes. I walked Tuesday, Friday, & Saturday with Charissa (2 miles each day) and Wednesday by myself. On Wednesday I only walked about 3/4 of a mile but I had the 2 babies in the double stroller, John on his bike, and Caleb on his scooter. Between trying to catch up with them and pushing the stroller, even though it was a shorter walk, I still felt like I had gotten a workout. While walking with Charissa on Saturday I was having trouble with pain in my shin (shin splints?) . We didn't walk last night as I went to a movie night with ladies from church and I know Charissa is busy several nights this week but hopefully we'll be able to get something done together. Otherwise, I'm going to see what I can do at home. I'd love to take off each night & walk at the park but I think it's too much for hubby to have all the kids by himself for an hour every night.

This week, my focus is going to be on starting a food journal and more of the same ol', same ol' (water, exercise, portions).

Vacation countdown: 8 more days 'til we leave for Tennessee!