We are taking Penelope to see a developmental pediatrician at the University of Utah, mainly just to be thorough and to make sure she has access to every resource available to her. Before they can even schedule her, we had to fill out a big old intake packet, and today they called and asked us to send every piece of documentation we have for her (evaluations, IEPs, etc). I also took the time to read through this whole blog to make sure I had everything at the front of my mind to discuss with them, in case any of it is relevant. My guess is that Penny is just fine, that she's developing at her own little delayed pace, and that she'll level out within the next school year or two. But, as I said, we need to be thorough!

Penny's timeline...

1/22/12 Positive pregnancy test!

2/2/12 After a few days of first spotting and then heavy bleeding, I went to the doctor. Ultrasound showed a healthy heartbeat, but doctor ordered pelvic rest.

2/15/12 My doctor referred me to a perinatal specialist; he informed me I had a blood clot in my uterus, and that he’s only once seen the baby survive when the mother had a clot this big. He ordered bed rest.

3/14/12 Specialist said at this point the clot only resembled a bruise, and that I was in the clear!

5/1/12 Ultrasound appointment; doctor said there was no evidence that there was ever anything wrong!

9/25/12 Penelope is born; everything goes well and she is a healthy baby. Weight 7 pounds 3 ounces.

11/19/12 Age 7 weeks. Fever 104; Penny admitted to Siena in Las Vegas for bacteria in her urine. Two-day stay turned into two more when her blood sample got contaminated in the lab. Ultimately though, it was just a UTI.

6/3/13 Began crawling around 9 months old.

10/5/13 Age 12 months. Fever 105; Penny admitted to McKay Dee for rhinovirus and parainfluenza 1.

2/10/14 18 month well check. Dr. Rafferty said that if Penny hadn’t started walking before this appointment we should consider early intervention. She hadn't started walking or talking to this point.

2/20/14 Age almost 18 months. Began taking a few steps here and there.

4/10/14 Age 18 months. First evaluation with Early Intervention at Weber-Morgan facility. Test scores: motor skills 16 months, language 11 months. Immediately ruled out autism because she was “beautifully social.” She failed the hearing test, but they figured it was because she had a cold. The evaluators wondered whether a moment of Penny “spacing out” was a small seizure; they asked me to watch for more of those moments. I noticed none.

May 2014 Fails a second hearing test. Middle ear fluid.

6/13/14 Third hearing test showed the same results - middle ear fluid. Advised seeing an ENT.

6/18/14 Age almost 21 months. ENT visit showed no fluid in her ears. Doctor said she probably had an ear infection and that it had just cleared up.

November 2014 Age, 26 months. Began showing interest in using the potty.

5/28/15 Early intervention evaluation. Age, 32 months. Receptive language age 22 months. Expressive language age 18 months. Qualifies for speech therapy; receives 2 sessions in the next couple months.

7/14/15 Occupational therapist score received — everything is normal or typical. No therapy scheduled.

8/14/15 (WE MOVE TO SCOTTSDALE) Initial evaluation with Paradise Valley.

9/22/15 IEP -- Developmental Delay, including cognitive and communication delay. Begins school including therapy.

December 2015 AZ teachers rave about Penny’s progress in class; particularly about her leadership skills. They call her the mother hen of the class.

January 2016 UTI.

January 2016 Penny begins Ogden Preschool.

2/8/16 Eye appointment because the school said she showed astigmatism at her vision screening. Doctor said she does have astigmatism in both eyes, but does not need glasses.

May 2016 Finishes year at Ogden Preschool. I saw little to no progress in Penny’s development at the school, and was very underwhelmed with their communication.

Summer 2016 Pen shows marked progress in her speech; my guess is it’s a result of being around her older siblings all summer. I decide not to enroll her in Ogden Preschool again, but to enroll her in a less frequent program and take her for speech therapy.

Fall 2016 Penny begins Miss Jo’s preschool, and speech therapy with Kelsey Wall through Ogden School District.

October 2016 Updated IEP from Kelsey Wall.


Other notes:

• Well checks up until 4YO showed mostly healthy albeit very small - weight loss one time and low hemoglobin results twice, which was corrected with vitamins.
• Many, many times she played with poo, even ate it. Ended around age 2 1/2.
• Hand gestures and other curious behaviors. Cognitive delays; clearly behind peers. Extreme fascination/stimulation with water and music.
• Start and stop potty training several times.