Melanie's Annual NICU Follow-Up

Really I think it's like every 9 months or so, we go to Cardinal Glennon for Mel's check-up with the NICU doctors.  This time she had two appointments for the day.  We first stopped of at the Psychology department for Bayley testing.  (IQ testing)  The doctor that did the test sent down her results to the MD's she saw for her regular NICU follow-up.  The testing was really interesting.  She sat her in a enclosed desk and did tons of activities with her to test all sorts of things.  I was VERY surprised that they expected a 17 month old to sit for a "long" half an hour and stay on task.  Her scores were acceptable to the doctors.  She was behind in several areas even with her two month delay.  However, Jarod and I were both extremely proud of her!  She did so many things that we didn't even know she knew or was capable of.  She blew us both away when she took a small jar with a twist top and screwed the lid on and off.  She beyond blew us away when the doctor put a baby doll, cup, book, and ball on a tray.  She would get Melanie's attention and ask her to grab the doll.  Melanie immediately grabbed the baby doll.  Then she put the doll back and asked her to take the ball.  Same thing, she took the ball off the tray.  Next she put the ball back and asked her to take the cup.  She took the cup off the tray.  Our little smarty pants!  There were also things that we both know she can do that she wouldn't do for the doctor.  Towards the end of the testing she just wanted to get down.  And I can't blame her.  Here are her scores:

Cognitive:  She tested at 16 months (which was average for both her chronological age and adjusted age)
Language:  Tested on two concepts: 16 & 13 months (low average for her chronological age and average for adjusted age)
Fine Motor:  She tested at 13 months (low average for her chronological age and average for her adjusted)
Gross Motor: She tested at 14 months (low average for chronological age and average for her adjusted)

The doctor had this to say about her: "Awake, alert, active, vigorous little girl who was attentive and able to sit as long as she was actively involved.  Generally cooperative, with some throwing of test materials.  Occasional smiles and positive affect.  Overall, she was easy to engage in testing.  Items successfully completed include: Putting a round piece in an inset puzzle, putting pegs in a peg board, and removing the lid of a bottle.  She was able to scribble on paper, but was unable to stack two blocks.  She walks independently with good coordination, throws a ball, and squats to pick up a ball without losing her balance."

With the adjustment for her prematurity, they did not recommend any further therapies.

After the Bayley testing we had her follow-up with the NICU docs.  For the most part she is healthy as a horse.  She is 22 lbs. (52nd percentile) and 2 ft. 6 in. (15th percentile).  However, the doctor noticed that her heart murmur sounds stronger.  Even with her crying and wiggling he said he could hear it clear as day.  Which was a little concerning.  So we are going to see a cardiologist to have an ultrasound done.  He told us not to get worked up yet.  So we are going to wait for the results of the ultrasound.