Development Assessment

Yesterday the girls got to go in for their 18 month development assessment!  (even though they are 20 months, they should be developing right along with a typical 18 month-er since they were born 2 months early)  The appointment took 2 hours and it was sure busy!  Thankfully Grandma Kathy could come too.  There were so many people in the room.  The Physical Therapist looked at how well they were walking/running/balancing on one foot/able to run and kick a ball/jump/stairs/and tons of other stuff.  The Occupational Therapist looked at their cognitive development and fine motor skills.  And then there was a speech therapist there too along with an R.N. and one of the neonatologists that the girls had when they were in the NICU! I think it's so interesting how they test for this stuff but they have all these little "special" toys that the girls get to play with.  They look at how they problem solve and if they know the function of things like if they can point to a bike in a group of pictures if you say what do you ride on without saying the word bike.  So interesting! The therapists all commented on how similar the girls were after doing all the tests in that they are all very task oriented, determined, hard workers.  So that is good! :) Anyways, moral of the story is that our babies are doing SO WELL!  I seriously had to fight back the tears like 10 times.  You could tell the therapists were so shocked at what the girls knew how to do.  They kept telling me they were doing so well and each time they said it, I couldn't even look at them cuz I just got all teary eyed!  I'm so proud of them and I just feel SO grateful that they are so healthy! And they have just come SO far!  The neonatologist says their prematurity hasn't affected them at all!!!  The therapists said for babies born at 31 weeks, at their 18 month assessment, they would be HAPPY if the kids were developing like typical 16/17 month-ers.  And that that is what is common.  But then my girls were overall developing like 21 month-ers and they're only 20 months!  They are doing FANTASTIC and see - I'm tearing up again! :)  I just can't believe it!  We were a little worried that Addison might need speech therapy since she doesn't say near as many words as Emily and Hailey but for speech, Addy is developing like a 19 month-er which is still better than they would expect so WOW!  The therapists and drs. were just smiling and saying "wow - we just love seeing stories like this where they do so well."  I feel so humbled and so so grateful to God.  I keep asking why me?  Why do I get 3 babies and 3 healthy ones?  What did I ever do?  I don't deserve this.  etc. etc.  I'm humbled at our Great God and the way that He has just been walking with us through this whole parenting experience.  It makes me wonder what the future holds for the girls.  I just feel like he's going to use them in huge ways!  I love you Addy, Em, and Hailey!! :) 

The girls have been interacting so much and talking so much more.  It is just so cute.  Emily and Hailey are sick with fevers and colds right now (I had it at the beginning of the week and now they have it!  I took them to the Dr. this morning cuz Emily's fever was 104 but no swine flu so we're okay. ) :)  And I was hoping we could get through the summer without any colds!  ahh!  Oh well.  Anyways...Addy is so sweet.  She's healthy still and so she's been all nurturing like coming up and rubbing Emily/Hailey's back, getting them their sippy cups, kissing their foreheads, etc.  So cute!  Also, when I read books to them (which is round the clock let me tell you) :), I sit on the floor indian style and then they all sit on my lap.  Well, one day, Hailey was sitting in the middle of my lap, Addy was on my left knee, and then Emily was across the room so Hailey started patting my right knee and saying "mi- mi" (for Emily) as if Emily was supposed to come and sit on my right knee.  So sweet!  And the other day I was trying to get them dressed and Hailey was running away from me so I just stopped and said, "emily, can you go get your sister for me and bring her to me?"  She listened!  She went over and grabbed Hailey's hand and walked her back to me.  My heart melts so many times throughout the day.  I love being a mom!  :)   

Boyfriend Tyler :) , Addy, Emily, Hailey

Lots of pink toenails! :) 
The girls have never liked watching tv (which is both good and bad) :) ...but when I wasn't feeling good, I tried to get them to watch it for a few minutes.  It worked for about 10 minutes! :) 
Now Emily's hair is long enough to put in a ponytail too! :)
They loving watching Daddy grill. :) 
Swimming at their friend's pool!  They love it! :)