Lesson Learned

Every once in a while I have a really bad day where I, despite trying to remain faithful, argue with God about his timing. In all fairness, He never really fights back. He kind of just lets me vent and then I feel better.

Well, one of the main things I've been arguing/praying about for the past 2 years is Aaron's vision. I know it will open so many doors to his capabilities once it's restored. I've been feeling like it's at a standstill and that God needed to intervene. We usually don't rely too much on numbers and categories when it comes to Aaron but just yesterday his awesome vision therapist raised his score by 1.5 points. It's a scale of 0-10 and when we first started therapy I think he was at a 0.5. Just this fall he was at a 2 and as of yesterday, a 3.5! Talk about a literal sign. Sometimes I feel silly and not like a good christian when it takes something like that to make me remember God's promises but He knew I needed it to get through.

My lesson learned: even when I think God's forgotten us, He shows me He hasn't. He just has his own timing in everything. But, in the meantime, I'm still going to pester him with requests each day, just incase :)

Development Assessment

At the beginning of January, Aaron had a follow-up appointment with a developmental pediatrician. We had first seen her back in August. Anyway, our PT joined us for this visit which was great because Aaron got hungry halfway through and didn't want to do anything other than eat! She was able to attest to all that he really does when he wants to.

The doctor was very impressed with Aaron. He looked very healthy and well. He was being such a flirt and couldn't stop smiling at her voice. She then played with him a little bit and tried to get him to do a few things that babies his age (both actual and adjusted) should be doing.

Her assessment was that cognitively and socially, Aaron is pretty on track. He is laughing/smiling appropriately; he is cooing, screaming and blowing bubbles. And, he listens so intently. She could tell he was thinking about the new voices.

In the motor department, although he has been reaching for things, bringing them to his mouth, and using both hands, etc., Aaron is pretty behind, mostly due to his delayed vision. She could tell that he definitely has some tracking and focusing going on, but overall his vision is not where it should be for his age. Most of the time, if you put an object in front of the child, he would reach forward for it. Aaron doesn't do that yet based on site alone. He will if you allow the object to make noise. He also isn't too fond of tummy time because there is no visual stimulation for him to look up. Instead, he gets his fist in his mouth and chomps aways! It is these things that are hindering his motor advancement.

Her suggestions, to start therapy with the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI). She believes that Aaron has Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and starting therapy as soon as possible is the best way to enhance his vision. Also, we are trying some new gagets out; mainly a corner seat with a table to help him sit up on his own and play sitting up and a tummy wedge to encourage him to do tummy time.

Other than that, she said to continue doing what we're doing becasue Aaron is doing amazing! Oh, and he weighed in at 14lbs 10oz. At discharge from the hospital last week, he wighed in at 15lbs 12oz!