Busy day

Today we had Ainsley's evaluation at the Center for Disability & Disorders at our university hospital.  We didn't tell many people about this because we didn't want anyone to worry.  We knew we had 4 hours of meeting with many doctors and specialists...so we packed lots of snacks for Ainsley and toys!

We were SO impressed with the CDD today!  They have a coordinated approach working with children/families--we felt like the took great care of Ainsley today and took the time to look at her holistically.  We met with a social worker first to talk about educational services in the community, next we met with the Speech/Language specialists/Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapy.  They took A into a big room with toys, stairs, etc and she played while they did their evaluation.  She didn't even know they were watching her every move-she was having fun playing with her new "friends".  During this time there were 9 doctors/specialists in the room doing the evaluation.  Ryan and I tried to keep up answering all of their questions.  

After that large group evaluation we met with the developmental doctor.  She did a complete evaluation and talked with us about her thyroid condition.  She shared the team was concerned about her low muscle tone in her hips and legs.  The noticed she sits in a "W" shape (with her legs behind her).  They said she does this and walks with a wide walk because she is trying to maintain her balance since she has low muscle tone.  She also will curl her toes to maintain her balance.  Her feet also turn in.  This was the part we didn't fully understand because Ainsley was melting down and tired/hungry at this point in the day.  The plan...give Ainsley a month to keep walking and working at building up her legs.  Re-adjust her when she sits in the W shape and we'll visit with them again in a month.  If they notice the same concerns, we'll start physical therapy.  We didn't want to add another thing to Ainsley's list of concerns, but we are thankful this is manageable.  The doctor said this low muscle tone could be connected to her thyroid condition and could have started in the womb as she was growing and developing.

We were surprised to learn that her speech is at a 12 month level, but her language comprehension is on track.  Her language usage has blossomed recently since her hearing aid as been back in place, so we expect her language to keep growing.  We will re-visit with the speech team in 6 months and keep working with her Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher and Speech Therapist with the local educational agency.  Again, very manageable! 

We left the evaluation after 4 1/2 hours and we were all tuckered out!  Ainsley slept through lunch!  We then took her home and she napped for 3 hours!  We then had to wake her up and take her back to the hospital for a blood test for her thyroid.

Little miss was feeling revived after some sleep and some chicken nuggets!  The staff today did say that Ainsley was "engaging",  Ainsley loves to meet new people and interact with them.  She had everyone laughing today!  

My dad asked today if Ainsley knows that she is getting a blood test yet...she doesn't thankfully.   One day, she'll put that all together.   For now, she plays with the games in the waiting area and once we go back to the lab she cries when they hold her arm to take the blood and recovers very quickly.

Tonight we had to take Ainsley to the Peds Clinic to have her lungs checked.  Today the doctor noticed her lungs sounded weesy.  She doesn't normally handle acute concerns, so she recommend we have her lungs checked at the clinic.  The doctor tonight said she was weesy so keep up with the inhaler for a few days and she should be all better soon. 

The doctors exam room tonight was decked out in a Hawkeye theme--you can tell we live in Iowa!  Here is little miss on the go--which is the norm these days!!