Cookie passes a hearing test requested by the state. Mother is flagged as a flight risk (1/16) due to comments she made about getting the baby a passport to go to the country the birthfather lives in. CPS also advises the grandmother that if she lived with Cookie’s mother and Cookie was returned to the mother, that the grandmother would be asked to leave based on her CPS case history (1/16). CPS caseworker’s supervisor returns from maternity leave (from late August through approx. 1/18).

Mother also tells me not to allow her aunt to visit with the baby without going through the mother vs. the statement she made in Nov. about allowing her to visit with the baby, but not during her only 2-hour visit (due to the stress between them). CPS says that we can continue to visit with the mother's aunt as a means of maintaining family connection because the mother is engaging in control issues. The mother doesn't let this issue go all month. We add video to the website so the mother can see Cookie laughing. Cookie is sleeping 12 hours/night at this point (she is 5 months old) and through the intermittent drug backlash episodes that had continued through the last month.

Cookie starts physical therapy through Early Intervention--1 hour/week (plus we work with her the rest of the week). Her left arm has a "frozen shoulder" making it worse than the right arm, but after 2 weeks of regular working with her she is moving the left arm (thrashing it). Cookie is seen by an orthopedist to rule out hip dysplasia as her legs don't appear to line up properly (she is cleared). Dr. warns to watch her left leg since neurological damage can affect the entire side of the body and her left arm is clearly more affected than her right one. He sees no physical interference in her shoulders and concurs that her problems are neurological. Cookie is now squawking at our son to get his attention and they are clearly bonded. I contact the Medicaid HMO for approval for a neurodevelopmental evaluation per the CPS nurse’s request (it is approved and scheduled for 4/4).

Mother is preparing for Cookie's return home "soon" buying diapers, clothing, nursery bedding, etc. Caseworker warns that is it possible that the baby could be returned by late March (1/16). CPS attempts to coordinate Early Intervention therapy sessions at the CPS office with both myself and the mother attending in preparation for potential return home. Mother is living somewhere in-county while she and her mother look for an in-county place to live together. In the meantime, local service provider starts supervising visits as some sort of therapeutic/parenting program but they are not happening at the mother's place of residence because the mother claims it is too small for visits.

I am notified of court hearing on 1/30 and advise CPS caseworker’s supervisor that I have no concerns beyond what I assume CPS and the baby’s Guardian ad Litem are not already addressing and therefore see no need to attend or send letter.