Cleft Palate Clinic Visit, Etc.

Well, we went for 8 different evaluation appts. on friday a.m., all under the umbrella of the cleft palate clinic, including: audiology, ENT(ear, nose, throat), dental, nutrition, surgeon, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and a social worker. I got to meet with the surgeon, Dr. Singhal, who comes unanimously recommended by the adoption community in KC. Their waiting list for surgery is LONG, over a year, but both he and the head nurse said they would do everything they could to get us in on a cancellation. I encouraged them to call anytime and we will jump at the chance to get in. If he's not in within the next 2-3 months we'll schedule a procedure to go ahead and put in ear tubes, as kids with cleft palates are extremely prone to ear infections (the eaustacian tube lays in a parallel position rather than a vertical position to the ear, meaning fluid from the mouth/nose can more easily flow to the middle ear and cause infections and hearing loss. He has some mild hearing loss now in the lower registers, really common apparently. This is temporary; once the fluid drains hearing is all good. I was really encouraged by the speech pathologist. Joaquin was really on top of his game when we happened to meet with her - he was babbling and using his sign language and imitating animal noises, etc. She said she was really amazed by how much he was expressing in only 3 wks, and encouraged us to "keep doing what you're doing." She stressed encouraging him to imitate anything and everything, talk constantly, continue signing (gave me more signs to use as well). The OT and nutritionist were great - we finally have cups that he feels comfortable using, he is drinking more the past two days than he ever has. Both the nutritionist and pediatrician told us we cannot overdue it with packing on calories, especially dairy. So we are all about whole milk, cheese, and ice cream every day in this house. I now seek out the high-fat foods at the grocery store, a 180 degree shift from what I'd been doing for myself the past couple of years. Go figure!

The biggest adjustment the past week has been with me. I have a child! It is sinking in. I'm learning when he rests, I rest, at least part of the time. I was really worn out by mid-week, and I'm so grateful to Kris & Jamie, Becky, Amy, Allison & Stella, Whitney, Milo, everybody who stopped by or helped out in some way. I need it! I've started telling people, "don't call, just come by." Even ten minutes of diversion helps. I think the constant vigilance takes it out of me more than I realized. I'm ready to go back to work and have a little more balance in our routine!

Right now the daycare situation is shifting. I planned to take him to Leavenworth with me to a great preschool/daycare across the street from where I work. However, he's got to be potty-trained to do that and he's not there yet. He is getting closer but I don't think he meets the threshold yet, so tomorrow I'll call my back-up Montessori school in Westport (5 minutes from our house) and talk it over with them. I'm a little anxious but hopeful we'll get it sorted out.

He is doing better and better with gross motor skills in his legs, looking less like a beginning toddler and more like a 3 yr old. He continues to explore, is getting really social, more and more so, and I'm noticing he's a sensitive little guy. He notices when other little kids are crying on the playground, he pays attention. This week he learned to swing, go down the slide, and is getting more independent with walking further distances away from me. In church this a.m. he pretty much was on his own, David & Vilma were great with him in class, and I purposely hung back a little. My goal is to get to go to the service myself in the next couple months or so.

That's it for now, keep sending good thoughts, prayers, wishes, energy, all of it! K & J