I took the twins in for their 3-year well checkup yesterday... Devin is measuring a perfectly balanced 75th percentile for height and weight and is doing just fine.
Kieran is measuring 75th %-ile in height and 95th%-ile in weight (my big boy!). I mentioned some of our concerns about Kieran showing possible early signs of ADD, as well as ongoing concerns about his speech delay. After listing some of the issues, the pediatrician said we need to have him evaluated for Autism. WHAT?!?!
She gave me some info on local docs to schedule an assessment with, and then I left to take them to school. I was crying in the van after the news finally sank in... thinking about his future and what this might all mean for him. I told his teacher about it and then went home in a daze (my rx cough syrup didn't help that part).
Anyway, as you all probably guessed, I immediately got online and did research and made phone calls to schedule appointments for him. After reading some detailed symptom lists, I know exactly why the pediatrician suggested this. Although Kieran doesn't have the more commonly known symptoms of Autism (like not talking at all, not making eye contact, not liking to be touched/cuddled, rocking, violent outbursts, etc.), he DOES have almost every other symptom listed. If you know Kieran well, you can see this. These are the symptoms he DOES have:
Social Interaction Difficulties:
- ignores when called, as if deaf, but responds immediately to a favorable words (e.g. "snack time!" or "the movie's on!")
- in his own world; lacks curiosity about surroundings
- random, intense temper-tantrums, overreacting
- high pain tolerance
- hates crowds, gets upset over loud noises
- inappropriately anxious/scared (age-inappropriate separation anxiety)
- no interest in forming friendships with peers (as reported by his teacher)
Speech and Language Delay:
- lack of ability to imitate (mispronouncing words)
- voice louder than required
- frequent gibberish (i.e. Kieranese)
- difficulty understanding basic commands
- difficulty expressing needs/desires
- little spontaneous initiation of communication
- inability to initiate or sustain a conversation
- repeats heard words, e.g. TV programs, songs, other people talking
- uses language inappropriately (wrong words or phrases)
Abnormal Symbolic or Imaginary Play:
- clumsy body posture
- arranging toys in rows (pool balls, soda cans, cars, blocks...)
- interest in toy parts, such as wheels
- obsession with certain objects/subjects (planes, trains...)
- fascination with spinning objects (wheels, fans)
- restricted interests (TV!!)
- Difficulty stopping boring, repetitive activities (hyper-focusing on one thing forever)
- Attachment to unusual objects (have you ever tried to take his shoes off???)
- Stubborn about rituals/routines (potty break = emotional breakdown)
- skills superior to age group (memorizing books and movies)
Misc.:
- lack of interest in learning new skills (shapes/colors, POTTY TRAINING)
- sleeping poorly (trouble falling asleep, waking up to play in the middle of the night)
- random bursts of hyperactivity
Of course, any of these "symptoms" can be written off as "normal" in any child his age, but the fact that they are ALL occurring in the SAME child is what is cause for alarm. In general, Kieran is a happy, sweet, playful, active, easy-going, compliant little boy (really our little angel), but these combined behaviors mean that there may be an underlying problem that could adversely affect him for life.
I have researched the different Autism Spectrum disorders, and I don't thing he will be diagnosed as Autistic, simply based on the lack of the most common symptoms. Rather, I believe he will get a diagnosis of PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Non-Specified), based on the number of symptoms he does have. PDD is on the Autism Spectrum (as is ADHD, by the way), but is not nearly as severe, although it will still require some therapy and specialized attention. We won't know how it will really effect him until he's in Kindergarten. But no matter what, he's still our Kieran. <3
I have him on a waiting list for speech therapy, which I think he will respond very well to, and he will be seeing a psychologist for evaluation and testing next week. I will update everyone as soon as we know anything.
Like we needed this now, so close to Connor's birth. And now I'm worried that HE will have problems too, since it is 4x more common in boys than in girls. :(
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
I feel like CRAP!
I have had this cold for weeks now. It started off as a mild head cold, then WHAM! moved down to my chest about 10 days later. It's become a HORRIBLE, body-wrenching, non-productive, hacking cough that is to blame for a headache, awful rib pain, and countless changes of underwear from pissing myself (from coughing so hard)! There is a limit to the meds I can take for relief, and I'm already uncomfortable as hell from being sooo freakin' pregnant, but I finally broke down and called my midwife today to BEG for something better than this over-the-counter shiite I've been taking.
Apparently, I'm very sick and it's a big deal given my "delicate condition". She's put me on antibiotics and steroids, instructed me to use my inhaler 4x/day, and prescribed narcotic cough syrup (now THAT'S what I'm talking about!). THANK GOD. Maybe I'll get better now, cuz this is getting ridiculous. If I don't, I have to go in and see my midwife in person, and she just might make me stay at the hospital for a while. Grrr... NOT happening. Not until I'm there to pop a baby out, gol-darnit.
So there's my rant for the day. Hope you enjoyed it.
*COUGH-COUGH, ouch!*
Apparently, I'm very sick and it's a big deal given my "delicate condition". She's put me on antibiotics and steroids, instructed me to use my inhaler 4x/day, and prescribed narcotic cough syrup (now THAT'S what I'm talking about!). THANK GOD. Maybe I'll get better now, cuz this is getting ridiculous. If I don't, I have to go in and see my midwife in person, and she just might make me stay at the hospital for a while. Grrr... NOT happening. Not until I'm there to pop a baby out, gol-darnit.
So there's my rant for the day. Hope you enjoyed it.
*COUGH-COUGH, ouch!*
Friday, December 28, 2007
34 week checkup
Okay, so the countdown has begun... only 6 more weeks! I'm measuring fine, and Connor is head down, for the moment. BUT... my resting pulse is a little elevated and so is Connor's; his was around 185 (about 20 BPM higher than normal), which means I'm too stressed out! This past week has been really hectic with Christmas, my sister moving in (LOTS of rearranging, cleaning, reorganizing, etc.), and now the twins' birthday coming up (party tomorrow). Add to that the fact that my kids have all been home with me for over a week (no rest for the weary!), and it's no wonder I'm stressed!!!
So our midwife has ordered me to "rest more" and "put my feet up", whatever the hell THAT is! I made sure Drew heard her say that, though, so there's no *confusion* about "using pregnancy as an excuse to be lazy" (AHEM!). So I'm trying. It will be easier after this party tomorrow, since we are still cleaning up Christmas messes and trying to get the house presentable at the same time. Oh, and I have to wrap presents and bake/frost the cake, too. PLUS, the mild cold/allergy thing I've had is moving down to my chest, so I have that achy, tight-throated cough going on now!
I can't wait till the kids go back to school and I can actually have a chance to put my feet up. :(
So our midwife has ordered me to "rest more" and "put my feet up", whatever the hell THAT is! I made sure Drew heard her say that, though, so there's no *confusion* about "using pregnancy as an excuse to be lazy" (AHEM!). So I'm trying. It will be easier after this party tomorrow, since we are still cleaning up Christmas messes and trying to get the house presentable at the same time. Oh, and I have to wrap presents and bake/frost the cake, too. PLUS, the mild cold/allergy thing I've had is moving down to my chest, so I have that achy, tight-throated cough going on now!
I can't wait till the kids go back to school and I can actually have a chance to put my feet up. :(
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
31 week checkup
First of all, have you SEEN the 4D ultrasound pics??? How cool are they?!
Not much new except that I gained 5 pounds in 3 weeks! AHHH! First I couldn't gain any weight and now I can't stop! Robby came with me to my check-up, and when the nurse asked about the 4D ultrasound (he was there), he said "Yeah, and we got a GREAT shot of his PENIS!" looking all proud of himself for getting away with "potty language." I about DIED!!! hahaha...
Anyway, I'm well into my 3rd trimester now, and it's really showing its horrid little face. From out of nowhere, my temper is nearly nonexistent, my ankles are swelling, my feet hurt by 11am, my belly aches, my back hurts, my ribs hurt, I can't breathe, and I'm sooo tired! I weigh more than I ever have in my life, and it's only going to get worse!
The midwife I saw yesterday implied that Connor will be a big baby, I guess because of my rapid weight gain. I'm sure it has mostly to do with my *borderline* diabetes and the fact that I'm no longer watching my diet or checking my blood-sugar very much. I'm predicting a 7.5 pounder, which WILL be my biggest baby. Lord I hope he's no bigger than that!!! I'm on a 2-week check-up schedule now, so more then.
I know, I know, I need to get more belly pics up... but first they have to be taken! And hopefully we will have some sort of family x-mas pics done soon... time's running out!
That's all for now, tootles!
Not much new except that I gained 5 pounds in 3 weeks! AHHH! First I couldn't gain any weight and now I can't stop! Robby came with me to my check-up, and when the nurse asked about the 4D ultrasound (he was there), he said "Yeah, and we got a GREAT shot of his PENIS!" looking all proud of himself for getting away with "potty language." I about DIED!!! hahaha...
Anyway, I'm well into my 3rd trimester now, and it's really showing its horrid little face. From out of nowhere, my temper is nearly nonexistent, my ankles are swelling, my feet hurt by 11am, my belly aches, my back hurts, my ribs hurt, I can't breathe, and I'm sooo tired! I weigh more than I ever have in my life, and it's only going to get worse!
The midwife I saw yesterday implied that Connor will be a big baby, I guess because of my rapid weight gain. I'm sure it has mostly to do with my *borderline* diabetes and the fact that I'm no longer watching my diet or checking my blood-sugar very much. I'm predicting a 7.5 pounder, which WILL be my biggest baby. Lord I hope he's no bigger than that!!! I'm on a 2-week check-up schedule now, so more then.
I know, I know, I need to get more belly pics up... but first they have to be taken! And hopefully we will have some sort of family x-mas pics done soon... time's running out!
That's all for now, tootles!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
7-month pregger checkup & more
Haven't written in a while, since checkups have been uneventful, but I figured I'd give an update anyway. I'm measuring perfectly, baby Connor is VERY active, and his kicks are now embarrassingly visible from across the room. ALIEN INVASION!!! Last night Robby laid his head on my belly and felt Connor kick him in the ear! Then he heard my stomach rumble, and told me that Connor had farted, hahaha... I'll try to get some new belly pics up soon... along with the 40,000 other things on my to-do list, that is. I've gained back all the weight I lost plus 10 lbs! I now weigh as much as I did when I gave birth to the twins! AHHH!!! I told my midwife that people were remarking about how SMALL I look for 7 months, but after she examined me and saw that everything was fine, she told me to tell people to "bugger off" (she's Scottish). Awesome.
So, somehow I PASSED my 3-hour glucose tolerance test, meaning that even thought my blood-sugar goes up, it comes back down within a reasonable amount of time. That's good; I don't have to watch my diet quite so closely. And I'm glad, because the strict diabetic diet gets REALLY depressing after a while. My midwife told me that when they got the results from the lab, the nurse came running down the hallway yelling "She passed, she passed!" Apparently they were happy about that, since if I hadn't passed they would have had to boot me out of midwifery and up to the OB doctors, and NONE of us want THAT, haha.
Drew finally got a job, and I am enjoying being back in my housewife role again, although last week I think I wore myself out a little with all my pent-up enthusiasm. I know he feels better now, too, being back in the manly-man breadwinner role. ***Proud of you, hun!*** <3
Probably the biggest news of all regarding our *little* family, is that we have taken Robby off his AD/HD meds. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while, due to the negative side effects (e.g. NO weight gain, and a crabby disposition), but have been putting off because I was nervous about all the changes that we would have to make. But he got a bad cold about 3 weeks ago, and I didn't give him the meds while he was sick, since they were unnecessary and interfered with his recovery. By the time he was well, the "withdrawal" period was over, and I liked all the smiles and laughs I was seeing. So I read up on it, and even though it was sudden, we have implemented a bunch of lifestyle changes to accommodate his "special needs." These include more structure/routine, less TV, more outside play/exercise, stricter discipline (NOT to be confused with HARSHER discipline), and enormous amounts of patience on everyone's part. I also started him on some vitamin/mineral and herbal supplements that are formulated for AD/HD, which DO actually seem to help, and he has started seeing a behavioral therapist.
Robby is like a whole new little boy. He is eating better, sleeping better, smiling and laughing more, and coming up to me and hugging me, talking to my belly, and telling me that he loves me ALL THE TIME! It makes me sad that the meds were suppressing this sweet kid for so long. But I can't let the guilt get to me; I was desperate when I put him on meds, alone with 2 babies and an out-of-control preschooler when my husband left me for 11 months to go to Iraq. And it's good that I'm making these changes before too much damage was done. Robby has grown and matured and is more responsive to the discipline, even though the symptoms of his AD/HD are still QUITE apparent. I'd rather have a happy, affectionate, hyperactive child than a whiny, miserable, relatively compliant one. But he sure can be exhausting!
That's all for now. Next week we are having a 4-D ultrasound (anniversary present from the in-laws), and I will be sure to post the pics as soon as I can!
So, somehow I PASSED my 3-hour glucose tolerance test, meaning that even thought my blood-sugar goes up, it comes back down within a reasonable amount of time. That's good; I don't have to watch my diet quite so closely. And I'm glad, because the strict diabetic diet gets REALLY depressing after a while. My midwife told me that when they got the results from the lab, the nurse came running down the hallway yelling "She passed, she passed!" Apparently they were happy about that, since if I hadn't passed they would have had to boot me out of midwifery and up to the OB doctors, and NONE of us want THAT, haha.
Drew finally got a job, and I am enjoying being back in my housewife role again, although last week I think I wore myself out a little with all my pent-up enthusiasm. I know he feels better now, too, being back in the manly-man breadwinner role. ***Proud of you, hun!*** <3
Probably the biggest news of all regarding our *little* family, is that we have taken Robby off his AD/HD meds. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while, due to the negative side effects (e.g. NO weight gain, and a crabby disposition), but have been putting off because I was nervous about all the changes that we would have to make. But he got a bad cold about 3 weeks ago, and I didn't give him the meds while he was sick, since they were unnecessary and interfered with his recovery. By the time he was well, the "withdrawal" period was over, and I liked all the smiles and laughs I was seeing. So I read up on it, and even though it was sudden, we have implemented a bunch of lifestyle changes to accommodate his "special needs." These include more structure/routine, less TV, more outside play/exercise, stricter discipline (NOT to be confused with HARSHER discipline), and enormous amounts of patience on everyone's part. I also started him on some vitamin/mineral and herbal supplements that are formulated for AD/HD, which DO actually seem to help, and he has started seeing a behavioral therapist.
Robby is like a whole new little boy. He is eating better, sleeping better, smiling and laughing more, and coming up to me and hugging me, talking to my belly, and telling me that he loves me ALL THE TIME! It makes me sad that the meds were suppressing this sweet kid for so long. But I can't let the guilt get to me; I was desperate when I put him on meds, alone with 2 babies and an out-of-control preschooler when my husband left me for 11 months to go to Iraq. And it's good that I'm making these changes before too much damage was done. Robby has grown and matured and is more responsive to the discipline, even though the symptoms of his AD/HD are still QUITE apparent. I'd rather have a happy, affectionate, hyperactive child than a whiny, miserable, relatively compliant one. But he sure can be exhausting!
That's all for now. Next week we are having a 4-D ultrasound (anniversary present from the in-laws), and I will be sure to post the pics as soon as I can!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
5 month checkup and baby's gender!
So yesterday we went for our checkup and they told us there had been a scheduling mishap regarding the ultrasound. We had to wait until this morning to have it done! Drew was pissed, and I have to say I was quite frustrated myself. But the checkup went fine, everything is growing like it's supposed to, and I've gained back 5 of the 10 lbs I had lost. Whoopee. And tomorrow I go to the lab for my early glucose tolerance test to officially diagnose the gestational diabetes.
So, the ultrasound went fine today... baby is perfectly sized for the gestational age, ten fingers, ten toes, four heart chambers, perfectly sized brain, blah, blah, blah...
What? What's that you say? Hurry up and tell you the gender, you say?
Okay.
Drumroll please.....
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BOY!!!
AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
You should have heard the curses. THREE BOYS?!?!?! Devin and I are SCREWED!!! I am screwed.
"You and your damn Y sperm!" I said to Drew.
Three boys and a girl. Grrr...
Poor Devin is going to have a hell of a time dating when she's older.
And she will be a spoiled little princess for the rest of her days.
A spoiled little princess with hard-ass tomboy tendancies. Hmph!
And someday three of my four children will tower over me with their six-foot-somethin' asses.
Boys.
Ahhh, it's alright. I love the little demon-spawn anyway. I'll be a little boy expert when it's all over and done with (which it NEVER will be until I'm haunting them). I'll take this opportunity to raise up three fine young men (and one fine young lady) to be exceptional boyfriends/husbands/fathers to their women/children later in life.
But alas, we have no name for this little man growing inside me. We had a girl's name all picked out. Annabelle Marie. What to name this child? We welcome suggestions, but don't be offended if we don't pick any of them! :)
Drew should start memorizing the theme song from "My Three Sons." Heh.
So, the ultrasound went fine today... baby is perfectly sized for the gestational age, ten fingers, ten toes, four heart chambers, perfectly sized brain, blah, blah, blah...
What? What's that you say? Hurry up and tell you the gender, you say?
Okay.
Drumroll please.....
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it's...
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BOY!!!
AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
You should have heard the curses. THREE BOYS?!?!?! Devin and I are SCREWED!!! I am screwed.
"You and your damn Y sperm!" I said to Drew.
Three boys and a girl. Grrr...
Poor Devin is going to have a hell of a time dating when she's older.
And she will be a spoiled little princess for the rest of her days.
A spoiled little princess with hard-ass tomboy tendancies. Hmph!
And someday three of my four children will tower over me with their six-foot-somethin' asses.
Boys.
Ahhh, it's alright. I love the little demon-spawn anyway. I'll be a little boy expert when it's all over and done with (which it NEVER will be until I'm haunting them). I'll take this opportunity to raise up three fine young men (and one fine young lady) to be exceptional boyfriends/husbands/fathers to their women/children later in life.
But alas, we have no name for this little man growing inside me. We had a girl's name all picked out. Annabelle Marie. What to name this child? We welcome suggestions, but don't be offended if we don't pick any of them! :)
Drew should start memorizing the theme song from "My Three Sons." Heh.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
16 week (4 month) preggo checkup
Not much new. Baby is healthy, strong heartbeat. Jane (midwife) says she thinks it's a boy since *it* was doing flips while she was trying to listen to the heartbeat.
I have felt a LITTLE bit of movement, like bumps and flutters every now and then, but not nearly as much as I would have expected by now based on my past two pregnancies, which makes ME think it's a girl (Devin was pretty laid back in the womb, whereas the boys wouldn't give me a moment's rest!). However, Janes says that since the twins stretched my uteras so much that it may simply not be tight enough in there yet to feel too much movement. (haha, I said tight)
I have been having horrible sinus headaches which finally peaked into a sinus infection last week -- felt like a damn migraine! I took antibiotics for it which made me even sicker; lost 4 lbs in 6 days! *sigh* Every day is punctuated by various bodily dysfunctions. :(
I have lost a total of 10 lbs now; brings me back into my "fat" non-maternity clothes. I have a little belly, but so skinny elsewhere! There is actually space between my thighs again - holy cow! I know I will start packing on the pounds soon; within the next month or so, and my belly will balloon out like nothing else.
Next month we will do the official blood-glucose tolerance test, as well as have the ultrasound -- and find out the gender! WOOHOO!!! It better be a girl!!!
I'm still sooo tired; I need 10 hours of sleep and still ready for bed by 4pm! This has been my most difficult pregnancy so far, probably due to the THREE young'uns I already have underfoot. I think I must have blocked the past pregnancies out of my memory or something! This is definately the LAST one!
I have felt a LITTLE bit of movement, like bumps and flutters every now and then, but not nearly as much as I would have expected by now based on my past two pregnancies, which makes ME think it's a girl (Devin was pretty laid back in the womb, whereas the boys wouldn't give me a moment's rest!). However, Janes says that since the twins stretched my uteras so much that it may simply not be tight enough in there yet to feel too much movement. (haha, I said tight)
I have been having horrible sinus headaches which finally peaked into a sinus infection last week -- felt like a damn migraine! I took antibiotics for it which made me even sicker; lost 4 lbs in 6 days! *sigh* Every day is punctuated by various bodily dysfunctions. :(
I have lost a total of 10 lbs now; brings me back into my "fat" non-maternity clothes. I have a little belly, but so skinny elsewhere! There is actually space between my thighs again - holy cow! I know I will start packing on the pounds soon; within the next month or so, and my belly will balloon out like nothing else.
Next month we will do the official blood-glucose tolerance test, as well as have the ultrasound -- and find out the gender! WOOHOO!!! It better be a girl!!!
I'm still sooo tired; I need 10 hours of sleep and still ready for bed by 4pm! This has been my most difficult pregnancy so far, probably due to the THREE young'uns I already have underfoot. I think I must have blocked the past pregnancies out of my memory or something! This is definately the LAST one!
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