Before I say anything else I want to thank all of you for your wonderful
welcome!!!!!

This is probably going to be long so I will not be offened if you just
scan through it or delete it. I just don't know where to start or how to
amke it short.

Samuel was a preemie weighing in a 3 pounds 6 ounces and did wonderful.
He came home 4 weeks after his birth and had gained over a pound. The
only problems we had encountered then were reflux and apnea. He
continued to do well at home for about the first 4 months. We went
through everymed for reflux shortly there after with no relief.

We ended up putting an NG tube in when he was 9.5 months old because his
reflux had gotten worse and he would not take solids. At this age samuel
was still like a newborn and I was getting concerned. He only weighed 9
pounds,but after NG placement started gaining weight. :) They weaned him
off of the continuous feedings a month later and eventually off the
feeding tube by 11 months old.

At 11 months Samuel learned how to sit up. He was quite wobbly but with
a LOT of hard work on his part and ours he could finally do it.

At 12 months he was fiannly starting to eat finger food although he did
not chew well at all and would hold it in his mouth quite often.

At 13 months I was getting very worried that he could not do anything
but sit up. He did not babble,he couldn't hold things in his hands well
and he was still way below the 5th percentile in weight and height. Oh
and his head was always in the 15th -25th percentile for growth..which
we were always happy to see.

He finally learned how to crawl (in his own odd way) and could get
around our house fairly well.
I continued to fight with doctors and EI telling them that my darling
child needed some therapy in a bad way. I knew something was desperately
wrong. They all kept telling me the same thing they had been telling me
all along."He was a preemie; it will take him longer" Ok no I am not a
doctor or teacher or anything but I knew that this was not a "preemie"
thing.

At 18 months he still had not learned how to walk still did not talk and
drooled all the time. He was still mouthing everything and attempts at
straws and sippy cups were usless. He just couldn't do it. My husband
and I spent numerous hours helping him stand and take steps. We had been
doing this for months however for the longest time he would not put his
feet on the floor.

He always seemed happy. He always smiled and everyone thought he was the
happiest child they had ever seen. Even when he cried he would seem to
smile and crying always ended with a big smile. When he was frustrated
he would clap his hands and smile. He looked happy but we knew that he
was frustrated.

At 20 months old Samuel walked!!!!! He has his own fashion and esily
tires but he can do it. He falls all of the time and runs to
everything,but he gets back up and goes again. This is the age where
doctors started believing me that something is wrong. He has been
through so many developmental evaluations that it is pitiful.

Oh and somewhere around 18 months we suspected he was having some type
of seizures. We had an EEG done which showed no seizures. We then had a
48 hour digitrace EEG done which showed no seizures. He had an MRI done
that showed a mild abnormality. Oh and I do not like his neuro. We r
looking for a new one this oen seems to think that I don't need to know
what he finds.We are going back in about 2 weeks for another MRI and
another EEG. If they find nothing on the EEG this time they are going to
start him on depakote anyway to see if it helps these episodes he has.

Well he turned 2 on May 31. He weighs all of 22 pounds and eats me out
of house and home. He eats more than the rest of the family put together
:) He walks,he can sit up,he can now stack blocks (which is his favorite
thing to do). He can stack 5 now!!! He has no language skills really and
we have been attemtping sign which is something he cares nothing about.
Last week he finally leaned to point at something he wants. He is loving
and smiley and has enough energy for 20 kids. If ever we are having a
bad day Samuel is the one to cheer us up and give us that big smile. He
also LOVES to be the center of attention. With a lot of sensory
integration we have finally cut down on the drooling. Some days are
better than others. He still does't chew his food well and will let
something sit in his mouth for hours if you let him. He doesn't seem to
be able to spit things out. The mouthing has slowed down a bit but he
still loves to put all new things in his mouth. He has a favorite
balnket which he has just about chewed the corner off of and he loves to
suck his thumb when sleepy,upset or over stimulated.

Well I am sure I have left out a milion things that r important so if
you have any questions about him you would like to ask I will be happy
to answer them.

Oh testing: All they have done so far are a million dev. evals,some
endocrine,EEG's,MRI,and nutrition.

Oh and his head growth is now below the 5th percentile which really blew
my mind.

Alison (mom to Samuel 2,Brandon 7 and Faith 6 wks)