18 month pediatrician visit

I just got back from my pediatrician appointment. Given the traumatic situation I endured last weekend, I actually did okay. I cried when I was being measured and weighed and when Dr. B looked in my ears and mouth, but other than that, I just clung to Mommy and rested my head on her shoulder as she and Dr. B talked.

I weigh 22lb, 5 oz (more on that in a bit) and am 31.5 inches long. This puts me in the 30th percentile for weight and 45th percentile for height.

My ears looked good, which means the amoxicillin is working, and my breathing seemed okay. Mommy told Dr. B about what happened last weekend when we were in Dayton and Dr. B raised the potential of asthma. He said that it is a little late in my life to just now be showing up, but that it could really come at any time. He also said that he would have been surprised if I didn't "wheeze" at all in my first 2 years of life, given my diagnosis at birth. When it comes to some medical problems, such as asthma, Dr. B's rule of thumb is this: 1st time is an accident, 2nd time a coincidence, and 3rd time a problem. So, he said as of now we will look at last weekend's issue as an accident and just keep our fingers crossed that this is a rare occurrence and doesn't lead to anything serious.

Obviously, I have lost some weight (almost a pound) since my visit to the neonatal clinic 2 months ago. Most of it came off these past few days while I was sick and not eating. But, still, Mommy was concerned that I wasn't gaining as much as she thought I would. I am just about 1 pound more than I was at 9 months old.

So, here's the lowdown. First of all, Dr. B said I'm still in the 30th % which is 30 times what I was at birth. Oh yeah, we always seem to forget that! Dr. B said that a child's weight from 6-9 months is mostly due to food and nutritional intake. From 9 months to 2-3 years old, the largest weight factor becomes genetics. How insightful!!

I was a chunker at 9 months because I was drinking A TON of milk (40 oz./day is a lot) and starting to eat solids. I still eat a lot (a very healthy, well-balanced diet, actually) and appear to be getting all the appropriate nutrients (seeing as I'm very active, developing on track, rarely sick (not counting this last episode!), sleeping well, happy, etc.). So, chances are, genetics have kicked in, and I am going to be a thin child. If any of you have seen pictures of my Mommy as a child, she was pretty much skin and bones until she was a teenager. Daddy was not a beefy kid either. Dr. B said I just don't have it in me to be a big kid.

Now, Dr. B also said that though he would be very surprised if this was the case, there is still a slight chance that I have "failure to thrive" and if at 2 years old, my weight hasn't changed much, we will begin to test for possible reasons why. But Dr. B says we shouldn't worry about that because it's highly unlikely. He just doesn't want to give Mommy false reassurance. Keeping it real...that's why we like Dr. B.

Mommy agrees with Dr. B and thinks the genetic factor makes complete sense. Plus, I think if it weren't for my crazy weight gain between months 6-9, this would totally be a non-issue. So, Mommy is not going to worry anymore and neither are you! Capishe? Good!

The best news of the morning is that I didn't have to get any shots! I still need my MMR and my second Hep A, but both of those can be further delayed. I will get MMR at 2 years (unless by some crazy phenom, there is a measles or mumps outbreak before then) and Hep A can be given any time from now until I am 3. Mommy just didn't want to see me cry anymore and Dr. B agreed that we could wait. After these 2 shots, I will not be due for any more until I am 5 years old. YAY for me!

Oh, you all might be wondering about the hair pulling thing that Mommy brought up a couple days ago. A couple of times lately, when I would throw my food on the floor and Mommy would tell me "Addison, do not throw your food", I would scrunch my face and pull at my hair....getting food in it in the meantime, which drives Mommy crazy! Dr. B said this is just my way of throwing a tantrum and to be glad I don't kick and scream. He said don't pay any attention to it and I will stop. He actually said that 15-18 months is typically the worse for tantrum throwing. It looks like Mommy might have gotten off easy because I am not a tantrum thrower. I throw food, not tantrums! Or maybe Mommy shouldn't speak too soon and I am just saving it for later. Anyway, Mommy was glad to know that it wasn't an early sign of this. Is my Mommy WEIRD, or what? It's okay that you all are shaking your heads "yes". Really, it's okay. We know and we're working on it. :)

Dr. B said that I am developing just as he'd hoped, if not more so. My next appointment will be when I turn 2, unless there are any concerns before then. Thank goodness because I need a break from doctors!