Isabelle's progress

Thought I would write a little about Belle's progress and health stuff. She was supposed to see the neurologist today but it was cancelled because her chromosome tests were still not back yet. They said they are taking from 8 - 12 weeks and it has been about 10 for us. They will call us and reschedule as soon as the test is in. They couldn't come back quick enough for me. It's easy to get wrapped up in life because it's so busy, but I still find time to worry and wonder! She has been making some good progress. I rely on people that do not see her every day, all day to remind me of this though. Her therapist was here yesterday and was reminding me of where she was just a few short months ago. She is consistently reaching with both hands now. She rolls from her back to the right on her tummy. She enjoys being upright now - as long as you're there helping her. She prefers to be sitting up on your lap than lying on the floor now. She always wants to see what's going on around her. She responds to her name and has started babbling with consonant/vowel combinations. We are no longer concerned with her hearing or language development. She is sitting in the exersaucer now and enjoys playing in there. She has become very stranger shy lately. My mom, her therapist, and mostly anyone she doesn't recognize will get a screaming fit if they try and pick her up or hold her. She's usually fine if they play with her on the floor but as soon as they touch her, she's had enough. Which is hard for a physical therapist to do her work without touching her! The last couple times I have been doing what she tells me to do while she watches so that Belle doesn't cry the whole time. We also cannot seem to find a baby food that she can eat. We will be talking to the pediatrician soon about that. She gets a stomach ache, gas, a rash, and sometimes loose diapers when she eats anything but her formula. I'm afraid she will have a gluten allergy - celiac disease. I read that children with developmental delays have a higher occurence of celiac disease - which gluten is in EVERYTHING! There would not be a lot of food she could have unless we got the gluten free version. There is a test for that as well as other food allergies, so we'll be looking into those soon. I put up some comparison pictures to help remind myself how far she has come instead of always focusing on what she can't do. Hope you enjoy them too!


First attempt at exersaucer - 22 weeks

Isabelle in exersaucer today (2 months later) - reaching and playing

Nice and straight!

Head tilt - she doesn't have this anymore unless she's been upright for awhile

Tummy time at 17 weeks - barely could lift - now she lifts 90 degrees - still not arm pushing

About 3 months old - not reaching for toys - now she pulls the toys off of this toy - so much stronger!

Thought I'd throw the video of Belle's new trick in. This is her yesterday - her new favorite game! I wanted to get one of her babbling, but she wouldn't cooperate....so later....