Sophia

Today was Sophia's physical development evaluation. The verdict? She needs physical therapy once a week. As you can probably guess, I am kicking myself for not getting her help sooner when I first had the instinct. I really thought she'd start to sit like Rachel did.

We thought she just skipped a step and preferred not to sit up. Today we learned that her right side is tight and she doesn't use those muscles as she should. We're not sure why it happened, but we can work on it. Her right foot also points inward a bit and when she pulls up to stand, she stands on her toes a lot. It's not comfortable for her to sit on her bottom with her legs out because her back and leg muscles on the right are just too tight. I never noticed it. Her therapist told me not to kick myself because parents just don't notice these details. I'm not a physical therapist! I'm just thankful that we have her in treatment now and can help her.

It's not going to be easy. She doesn't like to be corrected when she sits the way she wants to sit.....which is the dreaded "W" position. I'm somehow supposed to correct her every time she sits like this. There are also several stretches and exercises I learned how to do and am supposed to do them every day a few times a day. She will also be seen by the therapist once a week for treatment and to monitor how she is doing.

It was hard for me to take. I went to the appointment fully expecting to be told that she will need a little help. I just didn't realize that it wasn't minor like I thought. Like I said, we thought she just skipped a step. Well, that's not the case. I didn't think I'd take it as hard as I did. I ended up in tears wondering how I am going to fit all of these exercises in our already busy day. I already feel like I don't have enough one on one time for the girls. Now I need to get her to appointments once a week too. I know I will work all of this out. My initial reaction was just fear. It's all setting in, and now I'm just on a mission to make all of this work and get my baby the help she needs. Everything will work out!

I am looking into option #2 though. I am a member of a local network of triplet moms, and most of them have been through some sort of therapy for at least one of their kiddos. They've mentioned a free county program that is available if your child is referred to therapy. They would come to our home for treatment instead of having to take Sophia somewhere. I'm going to see if we will qualify for that program instead. It would be a huge blessing if I can get someone to come here.

As upsetting as this news was, I am very optimistic about her therapy. I now know how to help her and what we can do. I also got a chance to talk about the fact that Rachel doesn't pull up to standing yet. Rachel also sits in the "W" position, but she sits on her bottom most of the time. Because she sits up just fine, the therapist isn't concerned about Rachel. Of course I am not going to let her sit in the "W" position anymore, but I'm just glad to know that she is doing well. I'm always worried about how far behind my girls are than other toddlers I know their age. The therapist told me that it's completely normal for premature triplets to be behind. In fact, she said mine will likely be 2-3 months behind until around their 2nd birthday. They were 3, 4, and 5 pound triplets. I need to stop comparing them to other toddlers. It's comforting to know that we will catch up. It may not be as soon as I want it to be, but I'm now more comfortable with where they are!