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Thursday, October 08, 2009

The Best Doctor Visit - EVER

Today was Kaitlyn's 4 year old Doctor Check-up AND we went to the Dentist also.

The day started out great, Kaitlyn was very excited to go to the Dentist and her teeth looked great! She had fun and loved the small dog in the Dentist office and of course the staff loved Kaitlyn. All good reports on her teeth.

Then we were off to see Kaitlyn's regular Pediatrician for her 4 year old check-up (Kaitlyn had already been given a flu shot a month ago) so there weren't going to be any shots involved, but for the first time ever Kaitlyn was fearful of the Doctor and the check up. (at her 3 year old check up she WANTED a shot, which was certainly a bit strange). I actually felt it was good news that she was showing some fear (meaning to me that she doesn't remember all of the horrible things she's had to endure) and that she's doing basic kid normal things.

Kaitlyn is 30 pounds!!! I weighed her the day before her birthday and she weighed in at home at 30.0 pounds, and today, her official doctor weight was a bit more (but with clothes on). Wahooo!! 30 pounds puts her at about 3% on her ACTUAL birthday growth chart. (not the adjusted for her early birth chart).

She is 38.5 inches Tall. That means she's close to 50% for height (not-adjusted chart).

Everything looked and sounded great. I asked the Doc about possibly needing surgery to correct her gtube "hole". Her old g-tube whole looks almost like a 2nd belly button. Poor thing, I can just imaging her as a teenager wearing a bikini getting kid about having 2 belly buttons. I think something will need to be done (and the doc agreed and decided to ask a surgeon, whether it should be done by a plastic surgeon or not and when).

Also one of Kaitlyn's toes is curling under another. I've been paranoid that I had her in too small of shoes or something and the doc said, not it was going to happen no matter what. I guess she's not going to have the cutest toes, but at this point all-in-all, that seems minor. The scars on her arms from her recent crazy bug bites or poison oak episodes that she scratched to bleeding seem to be healing, and the doc felt the scars would go away.

But, I think the most important thing of all, is that Kaitlyn's doctor told me how absolutely incredible Kaitlyn was doing. On the way out, she said to me that she could never, ever have believed that Kaitlyn would be doing so incredibly fabulous for all she's been though, and you know what, I totally think so too. Going into this check-up was a joy. I KNOW she's doing great. I was all smiles. The last 6 months have given my the most amazing little girl I as a mother could ever hope for. So many of my posts over the years have been mom worrying. Mom fighting to find answers. To find help.

My daughter is a miracle and is the most amazing, beautiful, full of life, smart little girl. She has the most wonderful sense of humor, loves to laugh, is one tough little thing and people are drawn to her wherever she goes. I love her more than life itself.

At her IEP from special education she tested in the 4 to 6 year range in many levels (except some of the pragmatic (socialization) skills, but she is doing so very well there too. They said that she likely does have sensory processing issues and in unstructured environments she does go a little haywire (which I know). Her teacher said she's changed so much in the last 6-8 weeks and I totally agree. My amazing, little micro preemie is the most amazing, bring tears to my eye daughter.

But today, which really helped me to realize what's the most important thing in life: Kaitlyn's Doctor and I were emailing each other this afternoon after the mornings Check-up (about my needing to have some breathing medicine on hand for this upcoming winter and her gtube site) and this is what she wrote to me:

"BTW, I just loved my visit with Kaitlyn today. She is delightful. Even though she was fearful, she was able to comply with and become engaged during the check up. To me this reflects maturity in her behavior. I recognize that Kaitlyn's accomplishments are the result of the extraordinary efforts required of her parents, who were willing to step up and do what was needed. She and Quinn are very lucky children!"

I truly think that was the best email I've EVER received. I've known in my heart how hard I've fought for my daughter (and Quinn too) but to know it was noticed by our doctor was really was special to me. I can't change the fact that all of my children were born early, I can't get my daughter back, but I could do everything in my power to help ensure Kaitlyn and Quinn's future. Isn't that a moms job??

Enjoy some great pictures:

Last day of school (Special Ed) last week

Last Day of Special Ed
No eating issues here...

And to think that the package of M&M's was Kaitlyn's FAVORITE gift, boy have we come a long way!
Celebrating her Birthday on October 3rd with Mom and Dad at home
Kaitly's Birthday Celebration at school on her last day


And of course Quinn got in on the celebration too!

Even my little man is growing up too!

Friday, October 02, 2009

A few days away

Fun picture of Kaitlyn at our neighbors super duper sudsy fun party (well and Margarita party for the parents)! They put bubbles in the hot tub for the kids to enjoy!

The girls birthday is coming up again. October 4th is around the corner. I CANNOT believe that Kaitlyn is going to be 4 years old!

Today was her last day of Special Education (she is still going to qualify for a 1.5 hour program 2days a week), I kept tearing up the entire day! Her last day of school with an AMAZING teacher that has done so much for Kaitlyn and we celebrated her birthday. I took some great pictures, but just don't have the time to process the pictures at the moment.

Her face broke out with glee as the other kids sang happy birthday to her. It made my heart sing with joy!

Quinn started "walking" today, with the aid of a little push cart/walker toy. Oh my, he was sooo happy with himself! He's become quite the mamas boy lately, gets very upset when mom leaves the room (or the house!) I captured on video, but again, don't have time to edit and post it.

Last night dad and I got all fancy and went to the March of Dimes Celebrity Chef's event in SF. It was very touching and nice, but I got teary eyed listening to the family share their story, all preemie stories are so touching. It was nice to get out and dress up, it's been a long time and the food and wine were just amazing, I've been a bit slow all day today.

Real estate is CRAZY at the moment. It seems to take 3x as much work for every deal. I've had some difficult ones recently that are sucking up my time (time which I don't have anyways). I'm leaving to attend a Women's Council of Realtor Conference in San Jose on the girls birthday, which is heartbreaking to me. We had to move Kaitlyn's birthday the following weekend. My mom will be coming up for it. I feel very guilty. Dad and I are going to celebrate with her tomorrow (as I don't think she'll know the day of the 4th vs the 3rd). But I'm going to have to find time to work, pack, oh and plan her party that I have done NOTHING for.

I'm overloaded and overwhelmed and totally exhausted at the moment, sorry for not posting very often, or with much news...I guess the good news is that the kids are doing really well and remember, I usually post when I'm down and worried about them, I guess that's a good thing right, that they are just being kids and I'm a busy working mom!!!...