Physical Training
Greetings and hello to everyone.
I was mistaken a few posts back when I mentioned Xavier had seen the last of his current physical therapist. He saw her today, and he will have his final visit with her next week.
Xavier is doing terrific. I was both excited and filled with wonder at hearing Rebecca relate the therapist's thoughts.
The standard rule for preemies is to add the number of weeks they are premature to their term date for developmental milestones. For Xavier, this means adding eight weeks, or two months, to developmental milestones. For example, if a "normal" term baby is expected to roll over (on purpose) at six months, then we should expect Xavier to roll over (on purpose) at eight months.
Well, guess what? I am happy to report Xavier, according to the therapist, is developmentally tracking right at a term baby his age! The "add two months" rule is yet one more rule Xavier has decided not to follow. Glory to God!
He has discovered his feet, and this past weekend his toes. In fact, he has learned how to kick and rub his legs to get his socks to come off so he can see his toes.
He has often liked keeping his feet in the air while laying on his back, but now he is taking this to another level. The moving of his feet to his mouth does more than let him suck on his toes (and giving his fingers a break), it works at strengthening his abdominal muscles. He is also grabbing and holding his feet with his hands. As a note: Xavier has not yet been able to get his toes into his mouth, but he's working on it!
Development of the ab muscles is important to Xavier crawling. He is turning over from his stomach to his back now (though he has not fully mastered this skill). With his abs strengthened, and in combination with turning over from back to stomach (another skill he is working on), soon he will be mobile! I'm going to have to lower the crib's mattress by a notch to keep him contained. Not long after that, we will have to "take an inventory" and install all manner of safety devices around the house and make the house safer for our little man.
He is also learning to sit up. This he needs some help with. He cannot yet sit up on his own, but the therapist showed us how to help him develop other muscles and motor skills. Instead of supporting him by his back, we now sometimes hold him by his hips while he sits in a lap. He has to learn to control not only his head and neck (which he does well when his back is supported), but also his body above his waist. It's like having two swivel points instead of one. Xavier is finding it a little bit of a challenge, mostly I think, because he doesn't know when to expect being supported by his hips; it seems to take him by surprise when his waist starts bending in some random direction.
I have not thanked you all for your prayers in a while. Rebecca and I are always cognitive of Father's good hand upon our son, and we are always cognitive of those whose labor in prayer have helped make Father's goodness alive in Xavier's life.
Xavier developing at the rate of term baby, and not being delayed by being two months premature is one more blessing we can count. Thank you all for your prayers!