David Christopher was born on August 3rd, 2005, at only 26 weeks and 6 days gestation.

He weighed in at 1 lb, 4oz, and was 12.5 inches long.

Here's his story.

Friday, March 27, 2009

March 27, 2009 - Freak snow storm
Javier and I took David out to play in the snow for the first time a little while ago. The snow has gotten really deep in some spots. David did not like it at all - especially when it got about waist deep on him and he had trouble walking. 36_1_20%5B1%5D.gif
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I've never seen him so excited to go back inside before 36_11_6%5B1%5D.gif
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...but as soon as we were inside, he wanted to go back out 36_19_4%5B1%5D.gif
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March 3, 2009
This weekend was the first time that David started putting two independent words together.

Like, he can say "sit down!" or "Old McDonald," etc. clear as day - but those are phrases. This weekend was the first time that he put two, separate words together. Does that make sense?

His first independent word joining? "Eat. Crackers?" 36_1_20%5B1%5D.gif

And then today: "Drink. Water!" 36_1_20%5B1%5D.gif

I'm so proud of him - I'm hoping that this means that his vocabulary is about to really expand. 36_1_1%5B1%5D.gif

March 7, 2009
The other day I took David to the mall so he could play in the little play area that they have there. He wasn't too sure at first but I think he had a good time.
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This is what David looked like when I got him out of bed the other day - he must of slept hard 36_11_6%5B1%5D.gif
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I just thought this was cute
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And here's a short video of David's dance moves from the dance party we had the other day 36_1_20%5B1%5D.gif
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*** David's occupational therapy assessment ***
So I *know* that David is doing amazing compared to what the doctors thought he would be able to accomplish. However, it's never easy to read these things:

QUOTE
David is a 3 year 7 month old male referred to occupational therapy by Dr. Habersang with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, developmental delay and motor apraxia. He transitions well from therapist to therapist for occupational therapy and attends to evaluation tasks for about 30 seconds or less. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales was given to assess his fine motor skills with results as follows: grasping skills are at an age equivalent of 7 months and visual-moto integration skills are at an age equivalent of 10 months. David's chronological age is 43 months and he therefore, demonstrates a 36 month delay in grasping skills and a 33 month delay in visual motor integration skills. David was born premature with multiple medical problems. He has undergone several surgeries related to these problems and also has a history of RSV, pneumonia and cardiac problems. He is ambulatory but falls often. David has significant difficulty motor planning climbing over toys secondary to his decreased tone and ataxia, but does attempt to obtains toys. He is not yet able to maneuver a simple obstacle course without moderate to maximal assistance. David is fed by tube. Occupational therapy is recommended 1-3 times a week for 30-45 minute sessions to address above concerns and deficits.


I always feel a little discouraged after these assessments. David goes to school every day where he gets physical, occupational, and physical therapy, in addition to the things that his teachers work on him with. In addition to school, David goes to therapy twice a week where he gets all three therapies. He's had therapy at every opportunity, ever since he's been out of the hospital. And, whenever I can, I work with him and expose him to as many new things as possible.

It's just that - when I look at him - when I spend time with him every day - when I hug him and kiss him and sing to him - when I get on to him and discipline him.... I *forget* that he's not a regular kid. I don't have anything to compare him to. So he's just my kid, you know? So when I get assessments like that, it's like a slap in the face I guess.

However - on the positive side, David's final cardiologist appointment was March 25, 2009!! They said that David's pulmonary hypertension has COMPLETELY resolved itself, and they never need to see David again!! 23_30_125%5B1%5D.gif

I figured that's what they'd say, but still relieved to hear it 36_1_20%5B1%5D.gif

It's good to know that we are completely in the clear from another pulmonary hypertension crisis happening again.

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