Normally with up to or down to -15 degree wind chills we would keep the kids inside but it was their 18 month check up so had to brave the cold for their appointment. This is their first real appointment with their new pediatrician so I was a little anxious about liking her as much as we liked our last pediatrician in Texas, Pretty Dr. Monica as we called her. But it went great and I loved, loved, loved our new pedi. Getting then all bundled up with snowsuits, hats and mittens is really a pain but doctor appointments at this age are so much easier than last year. They pretty much just played in the exam room, got off and on the scale, read books and used tongue depressors to poke in their snack traps. So here are the stats...
Addy
Weight 22 lbs, 4 oz (25th percentile)
Height 32 inches (50th percentile)
Beckett
Weight 20 lbs, 15 oz (less than 5th percentile)
Height 31.5 inches (25th percentile)
Eloise the little peanut
Weight 20 lbs, 5 oz (less than 5th percentile)
Height 30.5 inches (10th percentile)
Few things-
1. I don't believe the heights for Eloise and Beckett. He looks way taller than her.
2. There has been some concern over Eloise's head size because of rapid growth and that is it proportionately so much larger than her body. But since her head growth curve is starting to taper off, we are just going to watch it. I'm not sure what it means and I don't really want to know at this point because it would just give me something else to obsess and worry over.
3. Although Beckett and Eloise are still not on the growth charts their growth CURVE is what they are watching. They are continuing to gain weight and and even make up a little weight. The growth charts are not adjusted for prematurity.
At this point, all 3 are in the marginal range for communication and problem solving which usually go hand in hand and if there is a lag it is usually in these areas. But again, the assessment is not adjusted for prematurity so at this point there does not seen to be much concern. It seems that language really starts to take off typically between the ages of 18 to 24 months and that for many kids one day they just kind of "get it." So we have another 6 or so months to wait for the light bulb to go off. We are still going to have further assessment in January to qualify for the state program but no huge concerns at this point with the lack of expressive language.
Language comprehension is another matter. I think that Beckett can differentiate between about 15 or 20 different kinds of trucks or things that go. I can say, "Where is the school bus, tractor, delivery truck, fire truck, snow plow, helicopter, motorcycle, cement mixer, dump truck, bicycle..." or whatever and there can be 10 different trucks on the page and he can point to the correct one. I can't get him to say mama but he sure knows his vehicles. And there is no problem with his eyesight because when we are driving he can spot buses from a mile away, even in the dark. I think he recognizes the light pattern.
The best thing they do is they give each other something if they have 2 like sippy cups or lovies. Well, lovies is another story but sippy cups or snack traps. I can ask them to go get something like a diaper or wipes or lovie and bring it to me and they usually do but it all depends on how involved they are with their current activity and how exciting the thing is that I asked for. The other day I was changing Eloise on the floor and she was crying and Addy brought her milk to drink. It was so sweet but unfortunately Eloise didn't want milk. Addy is was very insistent so it ended up dripping on her face which didn't help matters. But sweet just the same.
I'm continually surprised at how the practice of medicine is so regional. Like all children in this era, our children received a hearing test before hospital discharge. Which they passed. But today our pedi said that she would like us to have a second hearing test which is common practice "in this area" for preemies. Because I feel their comprehension is so good, I would be surprised if there are hearing issues but I do talk really loud so who knows.
We had a few questions at this visit which were cleared up. Such as...
Is this adoration going to last forever?
Addy
Weight 22 lbs, 4 oz (25th percentile)
Height 32 inches (50th percentile)
Beckett
Weight 20 lbs, 15 oz (less than 5th percentile)
Height 31.5 inches (25th percentile)
Eloise the little peanut
Weight 20 lbs, 5 oz (less than 5th percentile)
Height 30.5 inches (10th percentile)
Few things-
1. I don't believe the heights for Eloise and Beckett. He looks way taller than her.
2. There has been some concern over Eloise's head size because of rapid growth and that is it proportionately so much larger than her body. But since her head growth curve is starting to taper off, we are just going to watch it. I'm not sure what it means and I don't really want to know at this point because it would just give me something else to obsess and worry over.
3. Although Beckett and Eloise are still not on the growth charts their growth CURVE is what they are watching. They are continuing to gain weight and and even make up a little weight. The growth charts are not adjusted for prematurity.
At this point, all 3 are in the marginal range for communication and problem solving which usually go hand in hand and if there is a lag it is usually in these areas. But again, the assessment is not adjusted for prematurity so at this point there does not seen to be much concern. It seems that language really starts to take off typically between the ages of 18 to 24 months and that for many kids one day they just kind of "get it." So we have another 6 or so months to wait for the light bulb to go off. We are still going to have further assessment in January to qualify for the state program but no huge concerns at this point with the lack of expressive language.
Language comprehension is another matter. I think that Beckett can differentiate between about 15 or 20 different kinds of trucks or things that go. I can say, "Where is the school bus, tractor, delivery truck, fire truck, snow plow, helicopter, motorcycle, cement mixer, dump truck, bicycle..." or whatever and there can be 10 different trucks on the page and he can point to the correct one. I can't get him to say mama but he sure knows his vehicles. And there is no problem with his eyesight because when we are driving he can spot buses from a mile away, even in the dark. I think he recognizes the light pattern.
The best thing they do is they give each other something if they have 2 like sippy cups or lovies. Well, lovies is another story but sippy cups or snack traps. I can ask them to go get something like a diaper or wipes or lovie and bring it to me and they usually do but it all depends on how involved they are with their current activity and how exciting the thing is that I asked for. The other day I was changing Eloise on the floor and she was crying and Addy brought her milk to drink. It was so sweet but unfortunately Eloise didn't want milk. Addy is was very insistent so it ended up dripping on her face which didn't help matters. But sweet just the same.
I'm continually surprised at how the practice of medicine is so regional. Like all children in this era, our children received a hearing test before hospital discharge. Which they passed. But today our pedi said that she would like us to have a second hearing test which is common practice "in this area" for preemies. Because I feel their comprehension is so good, I would be surprised if there are hearing issues but I do talk really loud so who knows.
We had a few questions at this visit which were cleared up. Such as...
Is this adoration going to last forever?
Answer: Soak it up now lady and bring this picture back out when they are about 13.They love rice and black olives. Can I let them eat that at every meal to make my life just a touch easier?
Answer: You would be a terrible mom. They need a wide variety of food in their diet.Why does Eloise always have half a butt cheek hanging out of her diapers?
Answer: Application error. Or she needs a bigger diaper.Addy signs "more" when she wants something. Does that count towards her language in the assessment?
Answer: Yes, even though this is a modified baby sign.Should Beckett be airing out while walking on carpet?
Answer: It is never good to pee on carpet.Please tell me that is not what I think it is on the table?
Answer: It is a piece of dog food that I made Beckett spit out.Does this hat make my head circumference look like it is above the 90th percentile?
Answer: Sweet doll you are perfect no matter what your percentile.Is Beckett old enough to be wearing high heeled boots?
Answer: NOShould we continue to let Addy think she is a dog?
Answer: Probably not
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