16 Months and "Perfect"

Of course we all know that Aaron isn't perfect. (Nobody is, right?) Today his pediatrician called his development perfect. I wouldn't call it perfect, but he is doing GREAT!

When we think back to last year around this time (I didn't memorialize it on here, but was definitely thinking about it earlier in February) that Aaron had just spent a week at Children's Hospital and his tortocollis was really bad, it really is remarkable that he's above and beyond the developmental milestones for his age now.

His physical development is good, especially in the last weeks since he saw the Allergist and started his new allergy treatments. He's gained a pound since then! He has grown 4 inches since November. FOUR! I knew he was getting taller (can't open the kitchen drawers over top of his head anymore) but four whole inches?! That's a lot. He has only gained 1 pound 2 oz and has fallen off the chart for his weight/age, but who can blame him? His doctor's remark was, "Well he's growing taller and running all over the place, plus he's been sick quite a bit, it's no wonder he hasn't gained much. It isn't concerning to me at all. He's growing fine." His head is still small, only in the 10th percentile overall, but it must not be affecting his brain development!

His social, verbal, emotional, and motor skill development is excellent. He's doing everything he should be doing and then some. His pediatrician was quite impressed with his speech. Not only does Aaron know a lot of words, he's also very articulate. He loves being around and playing with other kids and he's really good at running, climbing, playing with legos, and using a fork. (Gross and fine motor skills.)

He didn't get his MMR vaccination today, like we had planned. He's allergic to eggs and it never crossed my mind! He's had other vaccinations (namely the flu shots, regular and H1N1) that were grown in eggs without noticeable reactions, but his pediatrician decided she'd rather we wait and talk to Aaron's allergist again before we proceed with the MMR. She said, "Just call me a paranoid mother, I guess, I just don't want to take any risks now that we've finally got him breathing better."

She's great. I love her. She's an excellent pediatrician.

He did get the Chicken Pox vaccine today, I guess that one is ok for kids with egg allergies? I was trusting her judgment. I'm going to google it as soon as I'm done typing.

Overall: great appointment. Aaron's a superstar. (But we already thought that.)

I really hope neither kid picked up anything awful there today. We've been "feeling good" for about a week. I guess we're due for the "next round" of whatever... I didn't let them out of the stroller and bathed them each in sanitizer several times, but we were still THERE... icky.

Finally, some vaccinations!

Today was Aaron's 1 year well visit. The peanut weighs only 20 lbs 7 oz and is 29 inches tall. He has fallen off the charts with regard to weight for his age. Not a big deal though because he is still gaining and his height/head circumference are around the 40th percentile.

Aaron finally got his first dose of seasonal flu vaccine. He'll need another one in a month. He also got 2 other shots, but, bad mama cannot remember exactly which ones they were. He didn't even cry for the shots at all! Just sucked on his lollipop and let the nurse do her work.

Ian had to come with us today (even though I really HATED the thought of taking two perfectly healthy little boys to the doctor's office in the middle of cold and flu season with rampant H1N1 all around us.) Ian got his seasonal flu shot and he also got the H1N1 mist.

I asked our pediatrician her honest opinion (as the mother of 4 boys) and she said if Ian were her's, she'd give it to him. "Because the kids who are getting it, are REALLY REALLY sick. In fact we're not letting them come to the office anymore, we send them straight to the ER. Aaron is very high-risk & he can't get it, so Ian needs to, and any caregivers of your boys need it too."

I trust her.

In other vaccination news, Aaron isn't getting MMR or Varivax until the spring. The pedi said, "no need to add THAT to the mix when we're just trying to keep him healthy through cold & flu season. We'll give it to him when the flu risks are diminished, and it will still be within the "normal" vaccination window for those two."

Yay! I'm really starting to love this pedi. She's great!