Hospital Check-Ups

Today we had our final appointment with the kids at the International Adoption Center. 

Rex was mostly there for a well-visit, so we got new measurements and a quick physical for preschool.  Rex now weighs 36 pounds and is 36 inches tall.  That’s in 75^th percentile for weight and in 10^th percentile for height.  He’s stretching out because at the last visit, his height placed him below the 5^th percentile. Nonetheless, he is still considered obese.  Rex's head circumference continues to be between the 40^th and 50^th percentile.  There were no issues with the physical.  The IA doctor thinks Rex is doing amazing.  She had seen him at his worst when he was first home and today saw him at his best with eye contact, high fives, signing, attachment, etc.

Emilia is now 23 pounds which means she has gained six pounds in six months.  She is about 32 inches tall, give or take a little… you know kids don’t sit still for the measurements.  But, I would say that she has at least grown two inches since December.  Of course, she still off the charts, but making her own growth curve.  In a happy surprise, Emilia’s head circumference has gone up from the 10^th to the 25^th percentile. According to the doctor, heads don’t grow much once the second year of life is completed, so it’s wonderful that Emilia’s brain was still able to make up for some lost time after her second birthday.  The physical was fine and the doctor had no concerns.  She thinks Emilia is doing quite well.

As part of Emilia’s visit, she also had a new developmental assessment.  I did not expect to see much forward motion there, but I was only partially right.  In gross motor, Emilia was at 14 months in December and she is still there now.  The consensus of the team is, however, that it’s her size holding her back in that area, not her willingness to acquire new gross motor skills.  In language, Emilia was at 13 months in December and is now at 14 months. No surprise there since she refuses to speak thus far.  Emilia’s personal-social skills continue to be scattered, but on average she has moved forward from 10 months to the equivalent of a 16 months old child which is great.  And now, for the big finale, fine motor skills.  Since December, Emilia’s fine motor skills have gone from those of an 8 months old to those of a 16 months old.  That’s 8 months of progress in 6 months and she’s not really trying or having therapy.  During the evaluation, she even did things that she rarely does at home like stack blocks, put dice into a cup, kiss a doll, and scribble dots and lines.  Methinks Bartleby is a little show-off.

The sweetest moment happened early in the visit. We’d just entered the exam room and I think the kids knew right away what was up and started crying.  So Craig placed both kids on his lap and played them some Super Simple Songs on youtube via his cell phone.  They calmed down and watched attentively.  And then, suddenly, Emilia took Rex’s hand into hers and held it.  He did not resist, but kept their hands together.  What a blessing to have a sibling that loves you!

We’ll miss the folks at the IAC who have shared our journey for the last two years.  They have been supportive, informative and kind and we’d recommend them to anyone for the review of referrals, complete check-ups after homecoming, or just general information about the medical and developmental well-being of internationally adopted children.