Ruby had her one year check-up with Dr. Dan yesterday. She got 4 shots, which she handled like a champ. We went out for sushi as a treat afterward. Ruby will eat the California rolls. No raw fish for a couple more years.
Her appointment was a long one. We discussed every thing that CHOP suggested. Dr. Dan agrees with me that the Developmental Assessment wasn't really fair and was way too picky. Don't get me wrong we know Ruby is delayed. She's three months behind in her physical developments. She's just now started to pull up. She doesn't seem to have any desire to walk. As we all know Ruby doesn't do something until she's ready. I'm glad to hear that he's not too concerned, yet. He did say that if she's not walking by 18 months he'd be concerned. We've got 6 months to get her going. As a parent I'm feeling much better about her development after talking to Dr. Dan. I'm still not convinced the assessment at CHOP was fair. They didn't really seem to take the fact that she had been sedated the day before, traveled, and her schedule was off. I know I didn't really feel like acting like 33 year old that afternoon.
The most upsetting thing about yesterday's appointment is that Ruby has fallen off the growth curve. We knew this might happen. Her weight gain has slowed since coming off the NG tube at 10 months. She hasn't lost weight. She's just not gaining as well. For now no one seems to concerned and we're doing everything we can to fatten her up. As for the constipation Dr. Dan agrees with me that it's because of the formula switch and not a sign of an intestinal problem. We're hoping to control it by diet. I've switched her to pediasure with fiber. We are pushing prunes and apricots. I made her rice pudding with prunes instead of raisins for breakfast this morning, hopefully she'll like it. I used heavy cream instead of mils and lots of butter. It smelled heavenly. I'm trying to get this all under control before we leave for Oregon next week. We've also been given permission to add Miralax to her diet to help control this. If we haven't seen a improvement tomorrow I'm going to get her GI Dr. involved. Ruby's intestines aren't coiled like everyone else. I don't want to take any chances that this could be something more.
I also need to update everyone on her blood work from CHOP, but it'll make this post way too long. We discussed it with Dr. Dan. He's agreed to order the tests that the CHOP cardiologist needs in a month.
We are going on our first family vacation next week. It's a well deserved and needed trip. It's more of a vacation for Chris and Ruby than for me. I'll be running a marathon the third day we are there. Either way we are looking forward to exploring Oregon with Ruby.
Her are some pictures from our week in Philly. Ben and Nicole made super hero costumes. Ben was the Human Torch and Ruby was his side kick Fireball. Nicole completed the crime fighting trio as Spider Woman. Ruby LOVED playing with Ben and Nicole. it was so cute to see her chase after them. Ben and Nicole were very kind and seemed to enjoy sharing and playing with Ruby. We couldn't have asked for a better family to have befriended. Plus Brad and Diane kept us well fed the whole time. It was so nice to leave CHOP after a long day and be able to sit down and to a good home cooked meal with such a nice welcoming family. Some of the pictures are blurry, it very hard to photograph three very busy kids.
