Life with Jessica

A Brief History:

Jessica was born full-term, via emergency c-section, weighing 4 lbs. 3 oz. and was 17″ long. She stayed in the NICU for one week but had no medical complications. Because of her small size and other characteristics, a syndrome was suspected and at 2 months old she was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS).

Health:

Jessica has been very healthy. Her main medical issue is gastroesophageal reflux. She had a minor  Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which closed on its own by age 2.  At about 14 months old she had surgery to correct esotropia (lazy eye muscle).

Communication:

As with most children with CdLS, Jessica’s speech is extremely delayed.  She began using sign language between the ages of 1 and 2.  She now speaks in short sentences and uses a few signs for emphasis.

Enunciation is difficult for her and she can be hard to understand.  She becomes a bit shy around people she doesn’t know and often won’t speak much or respond to questions.

She loves to mimic others. Interestingly, though she has great difficulty forming words/sentences when she is speaking directly to someone, she speaks quite clearly when engaged in pretend play and imitating things she has heard others say.

Developmental Milestones:
Rolling – 4 – 8 months
Crawling – 10 1/2 months
Sitting without support – 15 months
Cruising the furniture – 16 1/2 months
Climbing stairs – 21 months
WALKING – 23 months
Propelling on a ride-on toy – 2 1/2 yrs
Throwing/catching a ball – 7 yrs

Jessica’s Height & Weight:
Birth: 4 lbs. 3 oz.; 17″
Age 1: 12 lbs.; 24″
Age 2: 18 lbs.; 28″
Age 3: 21 lbs.; 31″
Age 4: 25 lbs.; 34″
Age 5: 32 lbs.; 38″
Age 6: 37 lbs.; 41″
Age 7: 46 lbs.; 43″ *
Age 8: 41 lbs.; 45″
Age 9: 45 lbs.; 46″
Age 10: 50 lbs.; 47″
Age 12: 82 lbs; 48″*

*large weight gains due to medication

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