Developmental Evaluation (10.5 Months)

On Monday the twins had a follow up developmental appointment to evaluate how well they are developing since they were 6 weeks premature. Apparently despite being a month and a half early, they are slightly advanced for their age in all categories.

We talked about how Claire can sign "I'm sorry," and "milk," and how she already shares toys with Colin (after she realizes she made him mad when she stole the toy in the first place). The therapist seemed especially impressed with my story about how one time I handed her a graham cracker and then tried to pass one to Colin, who was too far away. Claire took the cracker and passed it along to him instead of taking it herself.

We also talked about how well Colin does with language, saying words like "Daddy," "Adam," and attempting to say "hi"(while Claire says "mama," "dada," and "Adam."). I explained that he already has the best temper tantrums in the world, especially when it comes to trying to convince him that one day he'll need to give up the bottle and have a sippy cup. He can do the sippy cup, but prefers not to, and if he's thirsty and you put one in front of him, he'll throw an impressive, melodramatic, body-heaving, roll-on-the-floor-in-agony kind of tantrum that usually just makes me laugh.

She noted immediately that they are exact opposites. Claire prefers to sign when she really needs something (and socializes after school by babbling expressively about her day), and Colin is more the silent type but when he talks he's loud and adamant but tries to use words when he really needs something. They both clap when you guess right at what they are trying to get across and can understand that you comprehended their needs... so you are awarded with applause.

I explained how Claire is a "do-er" while Colin is a "thinker." Claire is social and smiley but has stranger anxiety, and Colin is less willing to give you a smile until after he's studied you for some time, but is more willing to get to know someone and not panic when someone new picks him up. I've been told several times at grocery stores that it's not like he's just staring at a new person... he studies their soul.

Claire was able to problem-solve quickly (finding hidden toys under blankets, exploring new toys with her fingers, etc.), and Colin was able to do it but wasn't all that interested in being tested at it.

Claire weighs slightly more than Colin (by 7 ounces), but Colin is about 1/4 inch taller . . . which really doesn't say much, because about a month prior that was switched by almost exactly those amounts. They are competitive in that way, I suppose.

They are 10 and a half months chronologically, but 9 months adjusted, and they measured clearly in the 11 month old levels for Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive, and Expressive languages. The only level that was different was the receptive language category, and that's because they measured at the 12 month old levels. Go babies!

They have both been fighting serious sinus infections for going on 2 months now, and having taken 5 different antibiotics to try to get healthy. With this last antibiotic, a pretty intense on called Clindamycin where they take 1/2 tsp three times a day for 14 days, Colin's condition did not improve at all while Claire got worse and even developed double ear infections.

Shannon took them to the pediatrician Tuesday morning and we insisted they get the shots of antibiotics. So they had one Tuesday morning, have to go back for another on Thursday, and at that time they'll determine if they need to go for another on on Saturday. It's starting to get very scary, I have to admit. If this doesn't work, the next step is an antibiotic via IV, and I cannot even imagine attempting to corral either, but especially both, in a hospital room.

Overall, despite the infection, they are doing well and trying to walk before they are one, and are getting extremely good at standing without support. Adam turns 3 in four days. I keep trying to imagine our lives with two toddlers and a three year old, and it blows my mind. As it is, you can't stand still for very long or you have two 21 pound babies trying to climb your leg and an almost three year old yelling that he needs a hug too. But... this is the good life.

He says he's a pirate, about to dig for treasure.

"ARRRRRRR!"

They have bonded over their love of water.

Colin is the only baby I know of who welcomes splashing in his face. So much so that he does it to himself.

Filling up the gas tank.

It was a very serious conversation. I think Mamie put him on hold.

"I ordered those gummies 2 weeks ago! This is unacceptable!"