First the positive: Caleb weights 23 1/2lbs (I could have sworn he was 25lbs) and is 31" long. So 58% for weight and 70% for length.

So the conversation with his doctor went like this:

Dr- "Does Caleb reconize his name?"
Me- "Yes"

Dr- "Does he follow simple directions?"
Me - "Yes, he does "so big", blows kisses, waves, plays peek-a-boo, claps, and stops when we say, 'no'"

D- "Does he know any body parts?"
Me- "Yes, foot and hand"

D-"Does he show understanding of those around him?
M- "Yes, when asked "where's ___" he will look towards that person."

and here is were it started to go down hill....

D-"Does Caleb point towards objects or reach for objects to show he wants them?"
M-"No"

D- "How many words does Caleb have in his vocabulary"
M-"None, me says sounds, "Bababa" "MAMA' "DADADA"...but never to mean anything specific."

D- "Does he reach up for you to pick him up?"
M-"No"

D-"Does he attempt to communicate what he wants with signs or gestures?"
M- "No he just screams until we figure it out."

D- "Is he walking?"
M-"no, he just started pulling up."

D- "How is he around others and changing enviroments?"
M- "He is nervous. He still gets upset if I turn on the vacuum, blender, or if Grace is being too loud. If we are in the car and an emergency vehicle passes he gets upset. He does not like strangers but will go to stranger men with more ease than stranger women."

D- "It sounds like Caleb has good cognitive skills. He undertands what you want from him and is able to follow simple commands but I am concerned about his lack of ability to communicate his wants to others. Babies at this age should have an average of 5 words in their vocabulary, point towards items they want or to show you something they see. His sensitivity to loud sounds is also an area of concern. At this point I think it may be worth our while to have Early Intervention take a look at him. Now it may come back that nothing is wrong but I'd feel a little better if we just had them look him over."

So here we are. Two eye surgeries and now EI. What the H e l l am I doing wrong? I feel like a bad parent. Maybe I'm not spending enough 1 on 1 time with him. Maybe if he were the first child he would get more attention and would be right on target. Now Tuesday I have some woman coming to my house to meet Caleb and decide where to go from there with the EI. To me EI has such a negative feel...like a my child needs it because of something I'm not doing...

I don't know...it's been a bad day. Caleb has another eye appointment Friday and if he needs a 3rd surgery it might just put me over the edge.

Hugs heather

Im sorry it was a bad apt for you. With that said, 5 words?? seriously? Kaileigh doesnt say 5 words.

We actually had Early Intervention with Kaitlyn because she wasnt talking but when she was evaluated they found nothing wrong and just said time will help, and the 2nd evaluation (follow-up 6 months) she was talking then.

I think just agreeing to have him evaluated is good, and Im sure it will ease your mind after it's done. Dont feel like it's your fault either. It's not, I promise.

[Mom-Mom]

*hugs* But also i am surprised! My pedi didnt ask any of those questions. Charlotte freaks out over loud noises too, in fact sometimes just Matt's coughing does it. Charlotte points at things, but just to ask "that?" She still yells/screams when she wants something. I am sure Caleb is fine, at least this eval will give you piece of mind. EI visited my nephew when he was little too, bc of a lot of the reasons they are seeing Caleb and he was just fine. *hugs* I am sure everything will turn out great!

[Vincent'sMommy]

I'm sorry Heather! But I wouldn't worry, honestly. Caleb sounds a lot like Vincent as far as where he's at with communication - doesn't point or anything and doesn't say any words yet. Vincent doesn't know any body parts either. I was worried too and took it upon myself to look into our early intervention program because I really thought he was delayed. It wasn't bad at all. We had a speech therapist do his evaluation and it really put my mind at ease - she said he was doing great and that we shouldn't really worry unless he doesn't have a few words by about 14 or 15 months. I'm hoping that he will, but if not I may have him evaluated again in a few months. I'm guessing you will probably find the same thing with Caleb. Your doctor's expectations sound like they are way above what my doctor said at Vincent's appointment. I'm sure Caleb is still in the normal range and it's definitely not your fault. Almost all my time is one on one time with Vincent and he's my first and he's still behind and not even doing as well as Caleb. I guess I shouldn't have told you not to worry, though, because now I'm starting to worry again.

I found this site about pointing out body parts and thought it may help some of you feel better about it.

Identifying Body Parts - A Toddler Milestone

[*BabyMaMa*]

wow...that's kinda surprising that your pedi was so concerned. I know it's not going to make you feel better, but Leah isn't doing a lot of the same things Caleb isn't doing. Leah's terrified of the vacuum and the blender. She doesn't consistently use words. Doesn't know any body parts. H ell should she be reading by the age of 1??? I honestly think some pedi's stress wayyyy too much about stuff. I'm a firm believer in babies doing things on their own time. Yes, early intervention is great, and Heather you shouldn't feel ashamed or disheartened as if you did something wrong...because you didn't. Your baby is going by his schedule...not your pedi's. Please try not to stress or beat yourself up.

[ElizabethS]

First off Ethan points at nothing. He screams until we do what he wants. He says maybe 4 words. They all grow/develop at their own rate. I think he's developing fine from your answers IMO. I'm sure it will turn out to be nothing. My pedi wasn't concerned about Ethan and I had very very similar answers to yours!

[preciousgiftsmama]

Sorry for the kinda bad appt but I agree with the others and think the pedi is maybe expecting way too much. I dont know, you all know I am old school here, but geeezz I just think sometimes one needs to relax and realize how they all develop differently.

I have a delayed in all areas child and two children who test in the gifted levels, and so far Ty seems just normal to me. And 5 words by 12 months? Lets see, Ty knows what he is saying when he says "mama, dada, sissy, kitty, ought oh, hi, bye bye" and I think thats it besides mimicking what we say like "say num num" and he will say it.

Ty is just learning eye, mouth and nose. We havent worked on anything else. Ugh I bet in a couple months you will laugh that the dr thought Caleb was delayed as he is running through your house saying "catch me mom!" It will be ok, I bet the EI will put your fears to rest. KUP.

[Arei_720]

Sorry about the bad appt. Shiori wasn't talking or pointing either when we went to hers, but started a week or so later. Keep your chin up!

[Hollybear]

Originally Posted by preciousgiftsmama

Sorry for the kinda bad appt but I agree with the others and think the pedi is maybe expecting way too much. I dont know, you all know I am old school here, but geeezz I just think sometimes one needs to relax and realize how they all develop differently.

I have a delayed in all areas child and two children who test in the gifted levels, and so far Ty seems just normal to me. And 5 words by 12 months? Lets see, Ty knows what he is saying when he says "mama, dada, sissy, kitty, ought oh, hi, bye bye" and I think thats it besides mimicking what we say like "say num num" and he will say it.

Ty is just learning eye, mouth and nose. We havent worked on anything else. Ugh I bet in a couple months you will laugh that the dr thought Caleb was delayed as he is running through your house saying "catch me mom!" It will be ok, I bet the EI will put your fears to rest. KUP.

Ditto! I'm sorry it was so bad Heather. You're an amazing mommy

[madelynsmomma]

We had our first ever moderately good appointment today, and let me tell you Caleb is ahead of the curve compared to Olivia. There is just no way Olivia could pass most of those things. And today, she almost tested on the normal scale for the first time ever. I do not think that EI is a bad thing, at all. I don't think you most likely need it, but it's never a bad thing. They will have great information for you, even if it mostly consists of things that Caleb is doing wonderfully. I do understand feeling overwhelmed, but I truly think Caleb is doing awesome. I say take the EI appointment and let them show you how great he really is!

[Daffodil]

Originally Posted by madelynsmomma

We had our first ever moderately good appointment today, and let me tell you Caleb is ahead of the curve compared to Olivia. There is just no way Olivia could pass most of those things. And today, she almost tested on the normal scale for the first time ever. I do not think that EI is a bad thing, at all. I don't think you most likely need it, but it's never a bad thing. They will have great information for you, even if it mostly consists of things that Caleb is doing wonderfully. I do understand feeling overwhelmed, but I truly think Caleb is doing awesome. I say take the EI appointment and let them show you how great he really is!

Whoo-hoo! Yay Olivia!

Regarding Caleb...I'm REALLY surprised your pedi brought up all those questions!!! Mine only asked if she was saying any words yet (no specific count) and if she was walking yet (she had just begun), and that was that. Then again, Arie is PETRIFIED of doctors so she was screaming the entire time.

[starrsgirl]

Hugs! Hang in there. Emmett doesn't say any words nor knows body parts.

First, YAY!! Olivia!!

Next, that's one reason I love the two peds I take my kids to, both of them are very detailed. Well baby check ups are usually 20 minutes...other doctors in the same practice just rush you out the door.

Thank you ladies. After talking to my DH, Some other people, and reading what you guys wrote I'm feeling better. I'm just going to roll with the flow. If anything maybe I'll get some ideas on how to stop Caleb's screaming and help him with his communication. Honestly my biggest worry is his eye appointment Friday. I'm praying we are done with surgery. It just seems like it's always something with Caleb. Everytime I think I can relax something else creeps up. Oh well, at least life is never boring.

[.s.o.p.h.]

Wow, i think its pretty crazy they're doing the early intervention. I really dont know much about it though.

I was surprised at the things he can do. E.g. Knows his hands, foot. 'so big' etc. I think thats amazing.

[sethsmum]

Toby doesn't say any words, he doesn't know any body parts, he screams for stuff until we work it out, he doesn't even attempt to walk and has only just started to pull himself up, but he'd rather not. It sounds like your doctor is very thorough and maybe just expecting a little too much from Caleb. My almost 4 year old has trouble saying a coherent sentence, and definitely didn't say 5 words at one, in fact I'm not even sure he did at 2!

I would try and look at the EI (I don't really know much about that, we don't have that here I don't think) as an opportunity to make sure everything is fine and maybe help him improve his talking etc. You are an amazing and committed mother.

[sfarrow3]

Originally Posted by *BabyMaMa*

wow...that's kinda surprising that your pedi was so concerned. I know it's not going to make you feel better, but Leah isn't doing a lot of the same things Caleb isn't doing. Leah's terrified of the vacuum and the blender. She doesn't consistently use words. Doesn't know any body parts. H ell should she be reading by the age of 1??? I honestly think some pedi's stress wayyyy too much about stuff. I'm a firm believer in babies doing things on their own time. Yes, early intervention is great, and Heather you shouldn't feel ashamed or disheartened as if you did something wrong...because you didn't. Your baby is going by his schedule...not your pedi's. Please try not to stress or beat yourself up.

Heather you are a great momma!!!!

[sweetliberty]

Heather, you're a fantastic Mom! Aaron can't identify any body parts and says no words. The doctor wasn't concerned saying his language will probably catch up by 15 months.

[dunerchick]

Dylan doesn't talk or know body parts and just barely started walking. And my ped says she's doing great. I wouldn't worry maybe even visit another ped

[dinamommy]

Geez. I think Caleb's doing great! Eli doesn't know how to point out any body parts and really doesn't say anything besides Mama, Bella, and Ball. I wasn't concerned at all about that. I'm sure your EI appointment will be just fine. ((Hugs)) Mama.