Bobby at home
We're settling in well. Today makes one week that he's been home. There are definitely some settling in issues, but we're all getting quite used to one another now.
The first few days, while we were in Guatemala, he was very reserved and quiet. Hardly cried, hardly smiled. Just sort of watched everything. But over time, his personality has come out and he does smile more often now.
Developmentally, he's pretty far behind. He's 15.5 months and is still not walking nor talking. He really hasn't made any progress since we met him in January. He was fed pretty much exclusively milk via bottle (6 a day!), so we've had to teach him how to finger feed himself. We're now down to 2 bottles a day (before nap and before bed), but haven't been successful in getting him to drink from a sippy cup yet.
He's started making more sounds. He was totally silent at first, except form "Mmmmm" when he was eating. Yesterday in the car, he "sang". I was thrilled to death!
We're waiting on an evaluation from the county infants and toddlers program. This may qualify him for services, which I think he may need. They sent me a questionaire to fill out for a "typical" 14 month old, and unfortunately, he can't check off many milestones.
When we asked the foster family about what he liked, they always referred to tv shows. We've come to believe that he spent most days in front of the tv all day long. He does seem to go into a sort-of trance when it's on, so we've cut out almost all tv.
Physically, he's small (10% on the height chart, 15% on weight), but that's not a surprise. Guatemalans are much smaller than we are. I felt like an absolute giant there at 5'7". His physical was fine. Poor guy had to give six vials of blood, wear a baggie to catch a urine sample, and we've been collecting poop for stool samples all weekend.
Sleep issues are settling down. When we got him, he was staying up until 10:30 at night! We've got that moved back to 9:00 and it only takes about 10 minutes now to get him settled. In the beginning, it was taking hours. DH is the champ at getting him to sleep quickly.
He and Allison enjoy one another. She's a bit rough with him, but he doesn't mind. They're sharing a room and have both adapted well to that. DH also bathes them at the same time and Allison was quite upset the other night at bathing by herself when Bobby was cranky and didn't want to play in the tub.
All in all, it's going better than I expected. Getting used to having two children instead of one has been an eye-opening experience. Just getting everyone ready and out the door in the morning is an adventure. Allison is still attending daycare and Bobby and I are at home for the next four weeks until I return to work. He then will join Allison at her daycare.
Here are some photos:
The first few days, while we were in Guatemala, he was very reserved and quiet. Hardly cried, hardly smiled. Just sort of watched everything. But over time, his personality has come out and he does smile more often now.
Developmentally, he's pretty far behind. He's 15.5 months and is still not walking nor talking. He really hasn't made any progress since we met him in January. He was fed pretty much exclusively milk via bottle (6 a day!), so we've had to teach him how to finger feed himself. We're now down to 2 bottles a day (before nap and before bed), but haven't been successful in getting him to drink from a sippy cup yet.
He's started making more sounds. He was totally silent at first, except form "Mmmmm" when he was eating. Yesterday in the car, he "sang". I was thrilled to death!
We're waiting on an evaluation from the county infants and toddlers program. This may qualify him for services, which I think he may need. They sent me a questionaire to fill out for a "typical" 14 month old, and unfortunately, he can't check off many milestones.
When we asked the foster family about what he liked, they always referred to tv shows. We've come to believe that he spent most days in front of the tv all day long. He does seem to go into a sort-of trance when it's on, so we've cut out almost all tv.
Physically, he's small (10% on the height chart, 15% on weight), but that's not a surprise. Guatemalans are much smaller than we are. I felt like an absolute giant there at 5'7". His physical was fine. Poor guy had to give six vials of blood, wear a baggie to catch a urine sample, and we've been collecting poop for stool samples all weekend.
Sleep issues are settling down. When we got him, he was staying up until 10:30 at night! We've got that moved back to 9:00 and it only takes about 10 minutes now to get him settled. In the beginning, it was taking hours. DH is the champ at getting him to sleep quickly.
He and Allison enjoy one another. She's a bit rough with him, but he doesn't mind. They're sharing a room and have both adapted well to that. DH also bathes them at the same time and Allison was quite upset the other night at bathing by herself when Bobby was cranky and didn't want to play in the tub.
All in all, it's going better than I expected. Getting used to having two children instead of one has been an eye-opening experience. Just getting everyone ready and out the door in the morning is an adventure. Allison is still attending daycare and Bobby and I are at home for the next four weeks until I return to work. He then will join Allison at her daycare.
Here are some photos:
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| Bobby at home |
posted by Cindy at
12:38 PM
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