I can’t believe it’s already been a week since the boys’ developmental assessment. I kept meaning to write about it, but there are never enough hours in the day!
As I mentioned in my last post, the twins had their 18 month (adjusted) assessment to see how they are developing. They wanted to look at their physical skills, like walking and climbing, as well as their fine motor skills and cognition.
My husband met us there, luckily, because we were running late. I mean, seriously, how do other moms get anywhere on time? I put them down for their nap early, but they still managed to sleep until the same time. I had their diaper bag packed, but somehow shoveling food in their mouths, changing diapers, putting on jackets, and buckling into car seats still took longer than expected.
I didn’t want to rush with the babies in the car, so I called my husband on the way and had him go in and let the know we were on our way. Of course, there was no parking anywhere. I drove up in the parking structure, unloaded the boys with my husband, then circled and circled and circled some more. Ugh. Not fun when you are stressed from running late, worried about your babies, and nervous about heading back into the hospital where your babies spent the first 3 months of their lives.
FINALLY, someone pulled out and I got a pretty close spot. I ran down the hallway, a security guard buzzed me thru the NICU (since he realized this running crazy woman must be the mother of the twins that just came in,) and got to the waiting room where the boys were walking around wide eyed. As you know, we don’t get out often, so being let loose in a strange place that has tons of toys was amazing for them. I must have looked panicked because my husband immediately told me all the toys had been washed down, and the floors too. I knew we were the first appointment, but as the constant worrier, he knew to ease my mind.
After doing a little paperwork (do your boys say words beginning with b, d, c, and s? Ummm…maybe in their own language?) the Physical Therapist (PT) came in. She said she liked to watch them play because that’s when she can tell the most. She thought they were looking good, then the Occupational Therapist (OT) and the Speech Therapist came in. They were going to take one boy, and the physical therapist would continue in her room with the other.
Not only do we not get out much, but the boys are rarely separated. Even though they are not in the same cribs, they share a room, so they nap together and go to bed together. When I put one in his crib, then go grab the other, crying always ensues. I don’t know if it’s really because they miss each other, but more likely that they don’t want to miss out on the fun that the other is obviously having not being in a crib. They also eat in high chairs right next to each other, and they play together (not always nicely or even the same thing, but in the same area.) So, this was pretty strange for them.
The OT tried to coax my little guy out of the room, but he kept looking back at his brother like, “Hey, come on!” Finally Dad joined in, and he started down the hallway. My bigger guy immediately started to follow…except the PT room was down a different hallway. He just kept looking the direction his brother went. When we finally got him to the room, he kept going to the closed door.
I have to admit, it was pretty emotional. My boys are not very affectionate towards one another. They are boys after all. But, this really made my heart happy to know that they really do have a bond. I know it will just get stronger as they grow.
Stay tuned for the rest of our visit….
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