Sitting and specialists

Today was another day of progress for Taylor. She sat unassisted for 3 minutes - it is so exciting. She had some help - she was sitting on a round mat (looks like a log) and had each hand placed on stuffed soccer balls (at her sides), but she sat erect and kept her hands down to the entire team. She's really getting the idea. Susan thinks she'll be able to do it on her own within a month. It's so exciting because sitting is such a critical milestone and by learning it, Taylor shows she has the aptitude to learn - hopefully this is just the beginning.

I promised to update you on her doctor appointments yesterday. They were anti-climatic, to say the least. Initially, we would get geared up for appointments at Children's because it seemed like such an "institution." We're learning that like any doctor office, you might have a good experience or a bad experience. Certainly miracles happen there, but our doctor appointments don't hold the aura they once did. And we're wise to not expect much.

We weren't as concerned about the nutritionist meeting because Dr. Spector had explained that her weight is fine now. She's back on the growth chart (at a hefty 3%), but she's proportional height/weight. He and Susan have also explained that we don't want her to get too big since motor skills are challenging for her, the last thing she needs is extra weight. The nutritionist basically told us that she's getting plenty of calories (600-700 calories/day) and to keep doing what we're doing. We're going to introduce regular milk with her baby food, with the goal of moving her off formula when she's 16 months. Hallelujah - that stuff is crazy expensive. She encouraged us to keep trying small solids, but no one is too worried about the solids as long as she's getting enough calories. We'll keep working on it, although we're waiting until after she sees the allergist next week to make sure we understand any food allergies (after her bad reaction last week).

The neurodevelopment appointment was....forgive me neurodevelopment doctors....a big confirmation of everything we already know. Maybe it's useful if you aren't doing the therapy and educational programs that we're doing, but wow...it's basically "yes, she's still delayed", "you have an aggressive therapy plan and doing everything you can", "see you in 5 months". It was incredibly anti-climatic and I don't think I learned anything new. It makes me even more glad that we're working on seeing a neurologist. On the flip side, it's good confirmation that we're doing the right thing, but I always secretly hope for the big "ah ha" moment. He was more interested in the tightness in her arms/hands this time (surprising since it's actually better than the last time we saw him) and encouraged us to continue to track her head circumference regularly. Dr. Spector and Dr. Dudas had been worried that it was so small on the growth chart (also 3%) and Dr. Cowan was potentially concerned that the rate of growth over the past months was significant (which could indicate fluid building on the brain). He said there was no need to worry now, but to watch it over the next months. No one seems overly concerned, but we're looking forward to the neurology appointment. And, we survived another day at Children's.

The doctor appointments just seem like a nuisance right now - I would way rather focus on Taylor's new tricks!!