Thoughts, Prayers and Emotions

Quinn - 7 weeks after ear tubes

2012-06-26T13:36:00.000-04:00

The doctors/therapists reminded us that this wasn't going to be a "quick-fix" and that she would NOT suddenly be talking up to age level. The therapists especially reminded us that she will still go through the same stages of talking - first babbling more, animal sounds, small words that aren't exactly the word, etc. In addition, any words/sounds that she was making before the surgery would now be re-learned now that she is hearing things differently.

So, what has happened? My sweet angel has been making some big strides in her book lately. She is babbling/yammering (whatever you'd like to call it) more and more. I find her repeating certain things (especially in the car) but am unsure of what exactly she is trying to say. She is saying many animal sounds (cat, dog, horse, cow, sheep, monkey, duck, and bunny (who goes hop-hop in case you are wondering)). Last week, she said a couple of words that I was able to make out - apple and all done.

Although her talking is going more slowly than I had hoped, we have found that her understanding has gotten much better. We need to start requiring her to make a verbal attempt at things, which is hard to do after you've learned to pick up on certain cues or signs that she knows. Yet, at least we are moving forward instead of standing still!

Quinn's 2-year check-up

2012-06-14T10:26:00.000-04:00

Quinn had her 2-year check-up yesterday. She passed the autism screening, got one vaccine and we didn't get any new concerns!!! Here are her stats (and percentiles):

Weight: 22 lbs 14 oz (4th percentile)
Height: 32.5" (17th percentile)
Head Circumference: 19" (71st percentile)

Sizes:

Diaper: 4
Tops: 2T
Bottoms: 18 month
Shoes: 5/6

Quinn turns 2 - Part 1

2012-06-14T10:22:00.000-04:00

Can't believe that my little Quinnie is 2 years old! In order to celebrate, we took the kids to Coney Island this past weekend. They have rides and a pool area (with slides) and after 4 we could get in cheaper since there isn't as much time left in the day but we knew just a few hours would be enough at their ages!

We started with rides. Most rides are around a 48" requirement one way or the other (must be taller or shorter to ride). Quinn, of course, is not anywhere near that tall! Owen hit just above the 48" mark so he could ride all the big kid rides. So the hubby and I split up so that Owen could go on the big rides that Quinn couldn't. I took Quinn to the little kid area which had some basic small rides that went around in circles and that was about it. However, I knew this was not going to be an easy/exciting time. I put Quinn on a little train and she cried. I buckled her in, and she cried. The person running the ride asked if I wanted to get her off before they started it, I said "no." At this point I may look like a bad mom to the on-lookers, but this was my child and I wanted to see how she was when it was moving. Once the trains started, no crying (not any smiling/giggling either) but she was content. When the train stopped, we started crying again. So, I waited 5 minutes and then we tried the airplanes. Same thing happened, so I decided it was enough. Now, if there was only a place that would let me put her on and take her off while it was in motion... :) But at least she experienced something new.

Later, we went to the pool area. I took Quinn again and she was ok until her toes started getting wet (the water was a little chilly). Once we were in for a few minutes (up to her tummy), she calmed down and splashed and giggled.

Owen had a blast! He loved all the rides, did a couple of slides at the pool and just had a good day overall.

Quinn's Surgery

2012-05-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, May 8th, we had Quinn's PE tube surgery. Here is the story of our experience just in case you have to go through this yourself one day, you'll have an idea of what to expect.

Her surgery was scheduled for 10:30am. This meant that she couldn't have any "solid" food after midnight and could only have "fluids" (water, juice with no pulp, Popsicle...NO MILK) until 6:30am. So like a good Mommy I woke up at 6:15 and got her up so that she could at least have some juice before I could give her nothing!

We arrived at the outpatient hospital at 9:15 (we needed to be there by 9:30). When we arrived, we did not have to wait long and Quinn was brought back to be weighed and then I had to give them her pre-op form that was filled out by her pediatrician the previous Friday. We then went into a room where they took her temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate. Then multiple people came in to ask us questions and let us ask question of them, including the anesthesiologist. They kept asking if Quinn was getting this surgery due to recurring ear infections and every time I said no, she has had a speech delay due to built up middle ear fluid. I really began to wonder if they were verifying us or they really didn't write this stuff down!

Then we waited for about 20 minutes (luckily the doctor was ahead of schedule!) during which time there was a TV in the room, a worker came by with some toys for her to play with (we were at a children's hospital). Then we started to take her back for the surgery. They allowed for us to be with her while she was put to sleep and they allowed her to have her stuffed kitty and cow with her for when she woke up. Daddy held Quinn while they put the mask (which we requested watermelon flavored gas) as I talked to her. She was asleep in less than a minute and they wheeled her into the operating room while we went outside to a special little room for just us. I must admit I cried as Quinn went to sleep and for about 5 minutes in our little room.

The doctor was in to talk to us about 12 minutes after we had sat into our little room - very quick procedure. Everything had gone fine, there was not current infection so he just gave us a prescription for the drops if we ever need it for an infection. We then went out to the big waiting room. They called us back about 10 minutes later (but it felt much longer) as Quinn was awake. We could hear her cry as we got closer. They had given her her animals, which she threw, as well as her cup, which she was just holding onto. Then I took her and rocked her trying to get her to drink a little something. They gave her some Tylenol and gave us some directions for the day. This included to not let her walk around for awhile, slowing ease her into eating. First make sure she keeps the juice down, then try some crackers/bread,... And we were out of the hospital by 11:15. I think it was more traumatic on Mommy and Daddy then on Quinn :)

Quinn's ENT appointment

2012-04-18T14:38:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, we went to Children's to see an ENT about Quinn's ears. I got both kids packed and ready to go and we were there at about 10:30 (appt at 10:45). We got checked in and sent back to the waiting room. Got called back at about 10:40. Nurse asked a few questions, namely why we were there. I told her primarily due to the fluid in her ears and the delayed speech development. The doctor came in about 5 minutes later. He had me sit with her while he looked in her ears, and he said that they didn't look too bad so he wasn't thinking tubes. He then said that we should have her hearing tested anyways due to the presence of fluid before and the speech delay. Back to the waiting room we go.

We didn't sit down for much more than 5 minutes when we got called back again. First they did some Tympanograms which help measure how well sound is bounces off the ear drum. They should be "spiky", but Quinnie's were flat. Then they did a hearing test which has someone in front of us sort of keeping her attention while noises are made on either side of her. I could even tell that her right ear was better than her left ear. Finally they tested to see if she had permanent hearing loss (they put the sounds under your ear so that it doesn't have to go through the fluid) and luckily, there was no sign of permanent damage. Audiologist then discussed the results and our options. She basically said Quinn has what they would call "temporary hearing loss." But, the temporary could be a couple days, weeks, months or even years depending on how long the fluid remains. So we could watch and wait or consider tubes. I am tired of watching/waiting. Back to the waiting room.

Then about 5 minutes later, we got called back to see the doctor again. When he came into the room, this is what he said: "It appears that I'm going to need to change my mind and put some tubes in." Alleluia! We have her appointment in early May to get her some tubes!

Quinnie Ear Update

2012-04-13T11:32:00.001-04:00

I know I have been MIA lately, there has just been a lot (both good and bad) going on for us. Today, I will focus on our Quinnie.

As most of you know, Quinn has started receiving some speech help in February and had a hearing test in December. At the hearing test, her hearing tested "normal" but they found middle ear fluid in her ears (more in one than the other). Thus, the doctor wanted us to have an ear re-check in a couple months. Yet, an ear infection came before then, so we had to wait two months after that. Finally, last Monday we had our ear recheck. The doctor said that she still had fluid in her middle ears (but it was not infected). The doctor suggested waiting until her 2 year check-up in a few months to see how it was then since her hearing tested normal. I then began to wonder the point of this ear recheck (besides the cost of the doctor's visit they are getting). I asked a question: "How can we tell the difference between that she can hear a noise vs. distinguishing between sounds?" She couldn't answer me. Then, she said that she could refer me to an ENT for "peace of mind." That is where we will be tomorrow. Wish us luck!

Quinn's progress

2012-03-27T08:42:00.000-04:00

Quinn has been receiving extra "help" for about 6 months now.

It started with a developmental interventionist. She started working with Quinn because of her lack of "self-help" skills (she wasn't wanting to feed herself) and because she wasn't walking yet (she was 15 months at this time). She made great progress pretty quickly on this.

Then in December, there was concern about her lack of language and thus, her hearing. I had her hearing tested, which was "normal" but found middle-ear fluid. Needed to have her ears looked at again in 2 months, but she got an ear infection so we have to wait another 2 months (so hopefully can get that done here soon). So, we started working with a speech therapist as well.

The speech therapist started working with Quinn in February. The first few sessions was more about getting to know Quinn (and letting Quinn get familar with her). We have switched Quinn to a hard-spout and/or straw cup as suggested and we're incorporating more signs to help Quinn communicate (for anyone who needs suggestions for signing, the app "sign4me" is really good and shows you many angles). The signs are just supposed to help keep her from getting overly frustrated while learning to verbally communicate. The therapist also said that she would begin to "drop" the signs after she learns the words better.

Every day she is getting better in my mind. She may not be on the "normal" schedule, but in reality what is that? So some people may read this blog and believe that it is my fault as to why Quinn is behind ("She shouldn't be working" or "She obviously isn't spending enough time with her"). However, I know that I have been a great mom to Quinn and will continue to do so. Thanks to everyone who is willing to support us through all of this. We couldn't do it without you!

Outfit of the Week

2012-03-19T09:28:00.001-04:00

Top: New York and Company Abstract Floral Print Cummerbund Tank - current price: $39.95

Thoughts, Prayers and Emotions

Quinn - 7 weeks after ear tubes

Quinn's 2-year check-up

Quinn turns 2 - Part 1

Quinn's Surgery

Quinn's ENT appointment

Quinnie Ear Update

Quinn's progress

Outfit of the Week

Outfit of the Week

Tacorito

What is normal?

Date Night!

Outfit of the Week

Owen update

Be back soon!

Easy Egg Bake

Lent - giving up?

Outfit of the Week

I'm ready for a healthly household!

Need some sweets?

Outfit of the Week

Quinn's speech update

Quick Quinn Update

Outfit of the Week

Quinnie Update