development

PIC Assessment

Quick update on the girls since we haven’t posted in a few days.

PIC (Parent Infant Children) came out on Thursday and did an assessment on the girls. They are a non profit program that assesses how babies are developing and if they need any special assistance or therapy to continue to grow and thrive.

The girls were on good behavior for the visit and all cooperated. Reagan went first and passed everything with flying colors, showing the lady how well she can hold up her head and do tummy time.

Harper also did well and both girls are considered in the normal development range for their adjusted age (7 weeks adjusted/14 weeks actual). Harper enjoyed the different things the lady tested her on and was a good sport!

Emerie put up a bit more of a fight, probably because she was in the middle of a bottle, and…because she’s Emerie (lol). Since she’s a bit smaller, she has more to do to catch up. She is also our fussier and more demanding baby in terms of feedings and tummy time, so her assessment showed she is on the cusp of the normal development range. This is typically for the smallest premie and no reason for concern.

Overall everything looks good and there isn’t anything we need to worry about. At their suggestion, we are going to start transitioning from sideline feedings to the normal front feedings, and get them used to that. Hopefully they pick it up pretty quick and we can find a new, efficient propping method for all three.

4-6 Adjusted Week Growth Spurt

The past week or so has been full of fussy babies and finicky eaters, but also new facial expressions and sounds from the girls.

We were warned a big growth spurt was about to occur, and it started slightly ahead of the 4-6 week timeframe, with the girls 12 weeks old today, but 4.5 weeks adjusted.

This growth spurt is more developmental than physical and involves sight, focus, and hearing. Their vision is starting to improve, with colors a little more visible. They are starting to listen to sounds and music more intently and can focus on it. They also begin recognize our voices better, and the change is very noticeable. Such big cognitive leaps!

The girls are all starting to really smile when we talk to them and express new facial expressions. Reagan, who has always been our smiler, now smiles even more and with eye contact and in response to minimal coaxing.

Harper now enjoys the play mat a little more (or maybe she’s just tolerating it now) and is showing us new sounds and shrieks.

Emerie, our little pea pod, has started to smile in response to our voices and be much more interactive with us.

It is exciting to see the changes and I look forward to the next few weeks of growth!