18 Month Check Up & Scottish Rite

We took Kylee for her long time waiting appointment at Scottish Rite Hospital this week. Upon arriving I thought of the many times we have taken Brody to Children's. The view from the parking lot was filled with bright colors, huge crayon sculptures, and a massive playground open to their patients - a child's dream! As we walked through through the door we were welcomed with friendly smiles and the staff greeted Kylee with a stuffed animal she could take home. The hospital itself was incredible, almost like one huge museum for children with gigantic kaleidoscopes, toys and activities to do everywhere!

Kylee playing in her exam room while waiting for the staff!

Kylee was seen by a nurse practionioner, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and an Orthopedist... all which had different things to say about Kylee's braces. There are sometimes conflicting issues and opinions between the medical professionals and therapists Kylee sees on a regular basis that leave me, as a mother, torn on what to do for her, treatment wise. I was hoping the team at Scottish Rite could give me a clear black and white answer on what's best for her since they do specialize in orthotics, but unfortunately I didn't get that and it looks like it's a "time will tell" type of thing. The Orthopedist explained her braces are a "temporary assist" and that the problem with her feet turning outward is a neurological issue (which we knew). The braces will not prevent or solve a problem but will "help function".We will hope that she will "neurologically mature" and that her feet will naturally fall into a more normal position. If not, there are things we can look at in the future if needed like surgery, botox or other types of orthotics. For the time being Kylee can wear her braces when needed or when doing things in which the braces help her. Overall our visit to Scottish Rite was great and I'm extremely thankful she was accepted! For now, we wait and pray time will reveal what's best.

After her appointment she, Bret & I went to lunch at Chili's...

where Kylee evidently saw the biggest fry she had ever seen in her life...

We also had the babies' 18 month well check up this week! Other than the boys breaking the bottom drawer, emptying out the drawers, clearing the toy box from the bottom of the exam table and almost pulling the blinds from their hinges, the babies were on fabulous behaivior! They each got their Hep A shot and Korbin was the only one to cry (and just a tad at that)!

My little champ after his shot!

Here are their 18 month stats:

Brody:

24lbs (23rd percentile)

30 3/4 inches (10th percentile)

18in head circumference (5th percentile)

Baxlyn:

21lbs 12oz (13th percentile)

30 3/4 inches (23rd percentile)

17 1/4in head circ. (not yet on the chart but no concerns)

Kylee:

21lbs 9oz - YES Baxlyn is a tad bit bigger! (12th percentile)

31 3/4 inches (36th percentile)

17 1/4 head circ. (not yet on the chart and not maintaining her personal growth curve)

*I had mentioned a while back about Kylee's head not growing like it should. The doctors are getting more concerned and are in the process of ordering and MRI and other testing for Kylee to try to find out what's going on. Please pray we find answers quickly so we can help our sweet baby girl thrive like her brothers and sister!*

Korbin:

23lbs 13oz ALMOST caught Brody! (22nd percentile)

32inches (39th percentile)

18 1/4 head circ. (13th percentile)

Developmentally Korbin and Baxlyn are goind well but lag behind a bit in speech. Brody and Kylee are still trying to catch up and measured up to 11months and under. Will will be adding a speech therapist for Brody and Kylee as well as an OT for Kylee. We're told over and over that "2" is the magic age that preemies generally catch up... at the rate we're going im not sure if "2" is our magic number but nonetheless I know they will continue to thrive and be just fine! PLEASE continue to keep our sweet babies in your prayers!

Thanks, Bret & Heather