A lot has happened over the past two weeks so let's get right down to it!
On Monday I played hookie from day care with Mommy and Daddy and went to see Dr. Rosner, my pediatrician. We were feeling very anxious about this visit as it involved another important weigh in. We arrived at the clinic and endured a very short wait before being escorted into one of my usual rooms by our dietician Lynn. She did my weight and length and here's my new stats:
Weight: 20lbs 8.4oz
Height: 31 inches (done by inaccurate measuring tape.)
Those of you who remember my last weigh in, I was 20lbs 8oz. Not exactly packing on the pounds here. This was rough on both Mommy and Daddy because I was eating tons of formula, some extra foods, and it really seemed like I was getting heavier. Now just to put it all in perspective, I gained .4 ounces or about 11 grams in 4 weeks. I am supposed to be gaining 400 grams every 4 weeks. So I was short about 389 grams (or 97.25%, thanks dad, now put away your calculator) for those four weeks. Despite this set back, we carry-on, our new plan of action is keep doing what we're doing but lets make that old formula bottle a little more potent, we're on to 4 scoops per 6 oz from 3.5 scoops. Nothing too drastic but we're hoping it makes the difference.
After the weigh in and measurements, doctor Rosner came in to see me. We talked about some of the new things I'm doing. She looked me over and mentioned that my shoulders were getting a lot stronger but now my ankles are weak. She checked my lungs and heart and I sounded good. She added to the notes on my feeding and we set the goal of one month for me to gain weight. If I don't pack on 400 grams by September 14th more drastic measures will need to be taken to fatten me up!
The reintroduction to tube feeding was mentioned. :(
We glazed over the discussions of removing the tube as the food and weight issues had already trumped that option. Mommy did ask though who would make the final call to remove the tube and Dr. Rosner said it would be her. She then asked us, "Who put the tube in?" Mommy thought for a moment and said "Dr. Stewart". Dr. Rosner appeared confused. "You know, the head of surgery at Mac." Dr. Rosner, still looking awkwardly at Mommy confirmed, "Do you mean Fitzgerald?". Mommy's eyes widened, "Yes!". Dr. Rosner's puzzled look faded as she laughed, "How did you get Stewart?" Daddy chimed in, "Dr. Stewart delivered Ethan." Everyone paused as the cloud of confusion began to lift from the room. Dr. Rosner added poignantly, "Oh, Dr. Stewart is my brother!" Well, what a small world! Before staying to find out if she had any other siblings or cousins in the medical profession we finished up and headed out the door as I needed a sippy and a sleepy!
Next on the agenda was my Tuesday trip to Kidsability. This was daddy's first time meeting Lori and his first time seeing the facilities! The last visit from Cathy for my gross motor physio workout did not go well and I screamed my little head off the whole time. This left daddy a little concerned about my visit with Lori as I have not been in the mood to be trifled with lately. We arrived promptly at 10 o'clock. It was raining pretty bad and daddy forgot an umbrella (silly daddy). We ran in the front door and squeaked over to reception. "I have Ethan here to see Lori" daddy proclaimed. The woman behind the desk smiled and told us she would let her know we were here.
A few minutes passed and Lori came out to greet us. I was standing up against daddy's legs and Lori (OT) was excited to see me. Daddy walked me over to our usual hockey player adorned room, yes we walked! (well daddy held both my hands for balance but my feet did some serious one foot in front of the other action). Once we settled in the room, Lori took out some toys for me to play with and asked daddy how I was doing. Other than the stunted growth, daddy had only positive notes to make about my progress. Lori decided to start with some blocks to see if I could stack several on top of each other. She showed me a few times and then left me to it.
I placed one block on the mat in front of me. Then I reached for a second, on top it went. I glanced around seeking out a third. EUREKA! Block number three found and stacked! Lori was very happy and said that kids my age are usually stacking three blocks. While she was telling daddy that this was great progress I reached out and picked up block number four. On it went! Lori and daddy both stopped. "Look at him go!" shouted daddy. Four blocks was quite the feat as the blocks were getting pretty tall and my shoulders had to stretch to keep adding them. Daddy was sooooo proud he had to take a picture.
After posing for the snapshot, daddy put away his camera - but I wasn't done yet! I found another block, hoisted it high in the air and carefully placed it on top of the tower. Lori and daddy went quiet with anticipation for what would happen next, would I try another? Would I topple my now wobbly tower? I found the last block laying before me and began to raise it up. Up it went, passed my tummy, past my nose, past the 5 blocks that had already become my day's triumph. I moved the block over the top of my tower and gently placed it atop it's friends. "Six blocks!" Lori exclaimed, "we usually expect that of a four year old!" Daddy reached for his blackberry to take another photo but it was too late, I had karate chopped my masterpiece to the floor.
With a gleeful sense of curiosity we forged on to playing with a puzzle. Lori pulled out a puzzle which contained 5 pieces all different shapes. A circle, square, rectangle, triangle and oval now lay at my feet. She placed the wooden puzzle frame in front of me which had an empty spot that corresponded with each of the small pieces. She showed me how to put the first one in and let me do my thing. I reached for the square and examined it for a moment. I looked down at the 4 remaining holes and with deliberate intent I placed the square over the hole marked "circle". Darn it, that didn't work. I picked up the piece again and placed it now in the hole marked "square". Perfect! I repeated this process until all the shapes had been united with their puzzle pals and the picture was complete. Lori was happy again and said that I was only supposed to do two pieces to be well on track developmentally.
Finally Lori brought out some drawing tools and paper. I have so far not shown much interest in colouring as you may recall from our last meeting with Dave. Well, nothing new here, I struggled to figure out which end was the one that made the colours come out. Daddy did his best to help by holding up the marker to me and pointing at the writing end saying "Ethan, this is the business end." I made a few small marks before turning the marker upside down. That was that, I guess we'll leave drawing for another day.
Happy overall we thanked Lori and made arrangements to return for another session in 4 weeks.
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