18 Month Check Up

For most people a check up is routine, you go in you check off where your child is and wait for the shots to go home.  The highlight is the new weight and height of your bundle of joy.  I have learned to cringe and be quite anxious at these appointments as usually there are unexpected findings at these appointments.  However, I think over the past months we have discovered almost everything there is or at least on the right path.  Today's appointment wasn't all that bad.  I definitely think Thomas has become quite fearful of nurses and doctors not knowing what is going on.  I try to talk to him as much as I can but the fear is quite real to him.  He screamed the entire time they tried to weigh him and measure him.  Its quite heartbreaking for him to fear such a simple non evasive tasks.

Our goal was to hit 20 lbs in three months, which we did with 2 ounces extra.  He has also grown in length to 30.2 inches and his head is at 18 inches.  He is still wearing 12 month clothes but I have noticed in recent weeks that on his tip toes he is reaching more things on the edge of the counter and is reaching door knobs.  She does want us back in three months for a weight and height check since technically he isn't due back for 6 months.  She would also like me to give him Carnation in his milk twice a day to keep his caloric intake up.  I will do my best with this one, he drinks what he wants when he wants too.

The pediatrician and I reviewed every doctor and upcoming appointments to make sure she and I had the same plan.  She too was quite excited with my connection at the neurology department at Emory and was thankful that they were able to work with us.  At this point we are doing physical therapy every two to three weeks to improve some of his fine motor skills and just avoid the neck area at this time.  She is putting in for a Speech therapy evaluation.  She asked if I wanted to go through private with Children's or through Babies Can't Wait.  I told her that Babies Can't Wait had released him from the program.  She was baffled with all of his issues that he would be released from the state program and suggested that we might reapply.  I told her for now let's go through Children's as I trust them that they will give a thorough and complete evaluation and appear to be far more competent than who I previously worked with through Babies Can't Wait.  From a financial standpoint Babies Can't Wait makes more sense, but at least up front I want quality care for my son.

This led to another discussion about the Katie Beckett Waiver through Georgia.  I have been going back and forth with this thing trying to figure out if its worth it, should I apply now or wait until after we see more specialists, etc.  My pediatrician put my mind at ease and said based on his circumstance he has a good chance and that she fills those things out all the time.  Just her saying that made me feel better because I don't want to be making a mountain out of a mole hill but I also want to get help where help is available.  We went into more detail about the form, the detailing of costs and his care plan.  All of which were things I was concerned with before applying.  She left it up to me as to if I wanted to start the process now or wait until after we see the neurologists.   

So really nothing new overall except we will get him evaluated by a speech therapist.  I will have to say that it is quite refreshing to have such good confidence in a pediatrician who was able to ask me questions and discuss the issues of my son with me from memory.  When we first moved to the area I went through several pediatricians trying to find the right one when Tanner was an infant.  Never doubt that everything happens for a reason.  Looking back over the last couple of years, I can see many people, events and things that have prepared me for this moment in time and for that I am truly grateful.

I would like to share one last thought with you that I have been praying and meditating on for the last week or so.  I am finding that its important for me to be on my knees constantly praying and talking with the Lord above to give me the strength that I need to do what it is that he wants me to do.  There is a song that I keep hearing over and over again and I know it is because I am meant to hear it:



Here are the lyrics:
You must You must think I'm strong  
To give me what I'm going through
Well, forgive me Forgive me if I'm wrong  
But this looks like more than I can do On my own
I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that 
I'm supposed to be I give up I'm not strong enough  
Hands of mercy won't you cover me Lord right now I'm asking you to be Strong enough  
Strong enough  
For the both of us
Well, maybe Maybe that's the point  
To reach the point of giving up
Cause when I'm finally Finally at rock bottom  
Well, that's when I start looking up  
And reaching out
I know I'm not strong enough to be Everything that I'm supposed to be I give up I'm not stong enoughHands of mercy won't you cover me  
Lord right now I'm asking you to be Strong enough Strong enough
Cause I'm broken Down to nothing But I'm still holding on to the one thing  
You are God and you are strong When I am weak
I can do all things Through Christ who gives me strength And I don't have to be Strong enough Strong enough
I can do all things Through Christ who gives me strength And I don't have to be Strong enough Strong enough
Oh, yeah
I know I'm not strong enough to be Everything that I'm supposed to be I give up I'm not stong enoughHands of mercy won't you cover me Lord right now I'm asking you to be Strong enough 
Strong enough 
Strong enough

You too can be Strong Enough to do what God has called you to do, but you can't do it alone.