Raya and her classmates during their dance competition. Can't believe she'll be 9 soon!

God's Blessings Abound!

After she turned two years old, Cerise was scheduled once again to see Dr. Llego, the Development Pediatrician, for another assessment. I was excited to see the doctor knowing that Cerise has improved already and is a bubbly and walking toddler in our home. But I wanted to know how far she has progressed.

For her last thyroid test last July 31, 2012 once again her thyroid levels have normalized because of her medication. We have noted though that her medication has not been increased for a year already despite her growth in weight and height. This could be a good sign said her doctor that eventually her thyroid would normalize and that she need not take her medication anymore. We pray for that day! Her SGPT (liver enzymes) have normalized!! Her SGOT (liver enzymes too) is still slightly elevated  but lower than the last test last March! Praise God!

Back to the Dev Ped assessment, Dr. Llego noted the following improvements in Cerise:

• Can trot and climb stairs
• Can speak several words and word approximations; also speak a few phrases
• Starting to be manipulative (tests the patience of others) ---> typical of a two year old

Upon her observation and examination, she noted the following findings:

• Confidently walked around but with episodes of falling down
• Able to walk backward
• Imitated intonation of phrases heard
• Able to follow verbal commands

At her current age of 24 months, Cerise's skills in the following areas of development were shown to be at these levels:

• Locomotor (big muscle movements) - 16 to 18 months
• Personal-Social (self help skills & socialization) - 2 years
• Language (understanding others & expressing oneself) - 19 to 21 months
• Eye and Hand Coordination (grasping, drawing, writing) -2 years
• Performance (non-verbal problem solving) - 22 to 24 months

All areas except her Locomotor is of age! Dr. Llego believes that in a few months she may be released from Physical Therapy too. No need for Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy. She has progressed very well! Praise God! Her doctor recommends that we continue Physical Therapy for further improvement of balance but we can decrease the frequency to once a week. We may discontinue per advice of Teacher Joy. We need to continue development stimulation at home and repeat the lab tests (thyroid hormones and liver enzymes) as scheduled.

Cerise has certainly come along way! She exhibits typical two year old behaviors and can be very insistent on what she wants. She can identify shapes by pointing (star, square, traingle, circle, oval) between 2 shapes. She can match common animals. She likes the alphabet. Cerise can imitate words and alphabets, She tries to converse and most often she SINGS while doing table top activities. :-)

She is a darling! Our darling and we love having her around! God has been so good to us and she is a living testament of that. :-)