Medical Update - Rex

Over the last week, Rex has had many medical appointments and seen a number of specialists and we have learned quite a bit about him.

At 29 months old now, Rex weighs 28 pounds, is 33.5 inches tall, and has a head circumference of 49 cm. The IA physician who has been monitoring him for us is very pleased with his growth. Rex nearly starved to death in infancy and was then below the second percentile on US growth charts for height and weight. He is now above the 30th percentile for weight and at the fourth percentile for height. He does not have any current infections or intestinal parasites.

At 29 months old, Rex’s gross motor skills are at the level of a 16-months-old, his fine motor skills are at the level of a 10-months-old, his speech is at the level of a 9-months-old and his social-emotional-personal development is at the level of a 6-months-old. So, it is true what Craig and I have been saying to each other for four weeks: we are presented with the special challenge of parenting an infant who currently inhabits a toddler’s body.

Rex starts private occupational therapy next week which will initially focus on working on his sensory issues. He will also be evaluated for private physical and speech therapy soon. He is starting OT/PT/ST through our county’s free early childhood development program this month as well. Rex’s first surgery is scheduled for September 12 and more tests are in progress right now to get answers regarding some of his developmental gaps. It’s going to be a very busy remainder of 2011 for us, but we will do whatever it takes to help our little guy overcome his delays.

For everyone who will be getting to know Rex before this year is over, please do not expect him to behave like a typically developing child. He may look nearly size-appropriate for his chronological age, but he cannot interact, communicate, pay attention, play, or regulate his emotions like most two-and-a-half-year olds. Please just meet him wherever he is when you see him and love him for who he is right now and always, our perfect Armenian angel.