17 months

I guess I should have seen it coming since Joshua has been less and less interested and nursing for shorter and shorter times but it seems that we are done now. It is very bittersweet for me, another one of those moments to remind me he really isn't a baby anymore. In so many ways he still is but this is one more way that he isn't and I'm adjusting to it, slowly. I was always the one to offer, but then again I'm not sure he's at the point when he could tell me he wanted it yet. He would only nurse for a few minutes so I knew he wasn't getting much but I wasn't ready to give it up yet. Last weekend he bit me and drew blood on one side. Then on Monday it happened again. I tried to pump for the first time in 5 months and got less than an ounce. That's when I knew we were pretty much done. He fell asleep Tuesday night laying in bed with us watching tv, poor baby is dealing with the same allergies we are and has been congested since Sunday. It was so rare for him to fall asleep like that. It was another way I knew we were done. I always wanted to go the baby led weaning route and I think we have to some extent, there has been no trauma to him, it's been harder on me for sure. I'm so proud to have made it this far.

I can remember back to the early days of nursing him as a newborn and not thinking I'd ever make it but I did and wouldn't change it for the world. I know I did my best and gave him the best start. It's hard but worth it. The pride I feel knowing that I nourished him before and after he was born, that he only needed me to survive his first year isn't measurable. There was a study done recently that said that if 90% of US women breastfed thier babies for the first six months it would save $13 billion dollars (not including formula) and 900 lives of babies, I can only hope more women try because it's worth it, our babies are worth it. 75% of women start out breastfeeding at the hospital but only 14% actually make it to 6 months.

Hearing Test etc.

Yesterday was Joshua's hearing test. An Audiology Intern did the test so when we had questions she had to go ask someone else. She also didn't explain what she was doing but she did two tests; a pressure test and another one where she put a probe in his ear (she did one ear at a time) and it was connected to the computer. Not sure exactly what it was but she said his hearing checked out fine except he had some fluid in one ear. Since we weren't satisfied with the results being fine due to our observations of his hearing we are going to their hearing center to have him tested in the sound proof booth. She said she wanted his ear clear of fluid first but when we took him to the pediatrician she said that the little fluid in his ear shouldn't affect his hearing. He doesn't have an ear infection so he is on children's claritin 1/2 tsp. per day for two weeks and then we go back to have it checked.

We briefly discussed the Greenville Developmental Pediatric visit with her and she agreed with the nurse that he doesn't fit the mold of a child with a sensory problem. She was concerned and wants to get to the bottom of what's going on. We told her that we found out it's a 3-4 month wait for a genetics appt and she said that it's the only place in town but they are very good and thorough so we are going to make the appt.

Earlier this week we met with the speech therapist to go over her evaluation and set up goals. It was hard to hear again how he is delayed and she put him at a moderate to severe speech delay (both expressive and receptive). So we have a lot of work to do. I was a little (ok a lot) overwhelmed by this and the dozen goals she has set up for him. She did say that we don't have to work on them all at once although during her sessions with him she will try to work on as many as she can but we should focus on 1 or 2 at a time. He starts next week so I will get more details about how to work on each individual goal and which ones she thinks we should start with.

We are also getting an occupational therapy evaluation but I'm afraid that starting that right now as well will be too much for both of us. It's not yet set up so it's just as well, we have to get adjusted a little to the new schedule before we start something else.

Greenville Developmental Pediatrics

Today was our appointment with the N.P. in Greenville. We really liked her, she made us feel comfortable and complimented us saying we were on the right track and gave me an A+ for all my hard work! It made me feel so good and was something I really needed to hear. She said she wished more parents were as dedicated and doing as much as we were already doing. She couldn't give us a diagnosis, she doesn't know what is causing Joshua's delays. She does not think he is a "sensory kid" like his P.T. says. She said that kids with sensory issues or disorders usually have sleeping problems and eating problems which Joshua definitely does not have, either one. She was very encouraged by his good eating and sleeping. So moving forward we are doing more tests/evaluations: genetics test (they draw blood and do a complete family history), hearing test, occupation therapy evaluation and speech therapy evaluation. He will probably be in both OT & ST so his days will be very busy. We are supposed to go back in May.

Joshua walking in his walker (2)

Joshua walking in his walker (1)

Joshua discovers the cat

More Bathtime Bubbles!

Bathtime Bubbles

Joshua loves Elmo!

Next week Joshua is being fitted for special inserts for his shoes, they are supposed to help him stand and walk better because he still tends to stand on his toes they will get him walking flat footed. We gave back the stander today, that was a rough 2 months using it and I'm so glad it's over. Now our new hurdle will be the walker.

Joshua's 1st Day of Preschool!

I am so pleased to say that Joshua's first day went great! He woke up at 6 but thankfully was back asleep by 6:30 and slept 'till 7:30. We got him dressed and gave him a snack before we left. I got a few pictures but they got some too; I'll scan and upload those when I get them. They said he had a few fussy times but they were short lived. He explored and got into things, had a snack and did circle time. They were feeding him graham crackers and cheerios but were giving another child applesauce and when Joshua saw someone else was having something he wasn't he made it clear that he wanted applesauce too! So he ate very well for him. He must have gotten tired because he took a nap in a little swing/hammock they have for about 40 minutes and was just waking up when I got there. I didn't think he would make it the whole time without getting tired. I'm so happy that he didn't spend the entire time crying, that makes me feel so good. They said he had a great first day! They gave me a cd with all the songs they sing at circle time and a printout of the lyrics. Also there is going to be an article in the newspaper and he might be in it! I hope to get a copy of it and share it on here.

15 Months (2)

I always forget at least one thing. He did very well with his shots today; he got 3 and as usual by the time we were leaving the office he had forgotten all about it. The Pedi said that Joshua doesn't exhibit enough signs of autism for us to be concerned. He isn't speaking but he is very social (a flirt when he wants to be) and didn't object much to her examining him (he usually doesn't). Also she was very encouraged by the fact that he loves to eat and all kinds of food; children with autism sometimes have issues with textures and Joshua doesn't. She said the people at developmental peds will be encouraged by it too.

Something else I forgot, he has pretty much given up the pacifier in favor of his thumb. It started a few weeks ago when I didn't give him the paci fast enough he would use his thumb and we just gradually stopped offering the paci so now he uses his thumb. It's a lot more convenient and the pedi has said before that she'd rather he used it.

15 Months!

Joshua now only has to be in his stander for 20 minutes per day. He got a walker, a brand new one from the PT./K509.html"> He should be in it for a few minutes at a time and just walk a few steps. The PT really thinks it is a reachable goal for him to be walking a few steps by himself by Easter. She was very happy to hear he’s going to Epworth preschool next week. She knew about it but didn’t know it was still open, I guess she hadn’t been there in a long time.

He had his 15 month well visit today. He’s 23lbs (25th%), 30in. (20th%) and his head circ. Is 48cm (70th%). The Pedi was very pleased that he has an appt. next month at developmental peds, we are all surprised the wait was so short. She said the appt. is usually quite long, it’s a play based evaluation; they want to see what he can do. Overall she was happy that he’s improving, she’d never heard of Epworth preschool but is excited about it for us.

I can’t believe he’s starting preschool on Tuesday, that my Mom is moving to Columbia next weekend and she will be 1 mile from the preschool! It really does feel like it was all meant to be, it fell into place so easily. Thank you, G-d!

Joshua Crawling 2/24/10

Joshua Crawling 2/24/10 (1)

Joshua Crawling 2/23/10

Outfit for Joshua's 1st day of Preschool

Horse shirt w/khaki pants

Flying Ace shirt w/khaki pants

Blue bear outfit

Blue whale overalls

Duck oufit

Monkey outfit

Help me pick an outfit for his first day. The one with the most votes wins. The 2nd runner up will be for his 2nd day.

Preschool!

In my last post I mentioned the possibility of Joshua going to preschool. We went there this past Friday and love it! It is the only place he could go right now. Most preschools don't start until age 2 but this is a very special and unique preschool, in every way. It is through Epworth Early Intervention Center. They have a preschool program for children ages 1-4 who have developmental delays or who are at risk for delays, they also accept typically developing children. Joshua will be attending on Tuesday and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 11:30 am (it only runs in the morning during that time). Children can attend 2, 3, 4 or 5 days a week depending on availability. Right now all we want to do is 2 days. There is a 1:3 teacher to child ratio; 1 head teacher, 2 assistants and an aide. They have less than 20 students and only 10 at a time. It is a very small program and I don't think many people know about it. The schedule is packed the entire time he's there. He gets a snack, they do circle time and work on their individual goals all while playing. We are going to have to try to adjust his schedule as those two days he won't get a morning nap. I am trying to adjust his bedtime so he gets up a little later and then can take his morning nap later, almost becoming an afternoon nap but we'll have to see how it goes. I am so excited about this opportunity for him and so grateful for hearing about it!

Joshua crawls

Joshua Crawling!