We had Rhett's 15 month check up scheduled on a Monday morning.
I was excited to bring him in, see how big he had gotten, to hear all the stats...I had forgotten about the shots though, bless his heart!
I brought him in, and after stripping him down and putting him on the scale, our nurse announced that he was 21 pounds.
"Twenty one pounds? He is still tiny!" I announced, utterly shocked.
"Oh, but he has gotten so tall!" she replied.
I kept repeating the number over and over as we walked back to the exam room. All I was thinking about was how he wasn't even past the weight limit of his infant car seat.
Turns out my looming concerns were correct, that's one of the first things our Doctor said to me after sitting down with him. He had only gained 3 oz since his 12 month appointment!
On top of that, the boy had a DOUBLE ear infection. He had not complained one bit. He wasn't acting differently, still his smiley, happy self! Before he examined his ears, Rhett was running around the room, building blocks, walking around with the little toy wagon, smiling and talking to Dr. Latham. After explaining how he hadn't been acting like he had a double ear infection (I felt awful!) he told me that he must have a high pain tolerance - that some kids just do. Apparently he does, because he also had a little infection in his diaper area, a raw spot that I wanted to ask him about. Bless his heart!
...and talk about feeling like the WORST Mother in the world!
I wanted to cry right then and there! Can't believe our baby boy had a double ear infection I had no clue about, hadn't gained enough weight, and had an infection in his diaper area. I mean really?! :(
SO, he gave me a hand out about adding more calories to his diet, gave me some samples for his raw spot, and a prescription for his ears and scheduled us for a weight check two weeks later. Also, he scheduled an 18 month appointment to make sure his weight was still heading where it needed to be.
Then, our nurse (thank goodness she is so sweet) came in and I had to comfort a screaming baby after his shots. I tell you what, I was emotionally drained.
Before the nurse left, I mentioned that we had to come back for a weight check, and she looked at me like I was crazy.
"Why?" she asked.
"He said he hasn't gained enough weight"
"Humph. Well okay."
I relaxed a little after that, because I have to remember that our Doctor is really thorough. Always double checks everything - which we absolutely love - but can scare the pee out of you sometimes.
So I headed back to the front desk, scheduled our appointments, then called Matt in tears since I was still feeling like the most awful horrible Mother in the entire world.
Luckily, little Rhetter man was still the happiest little man ever, even after his shots.
Here are the stats from 12 months to 15 months...
November 21, 2011 12 Months Old 20 lbs 13 oz, 29 1/4 in
February 19, 2012 15 Months Old 21 lbs 0 oz, 31 in
February 19, 2012 15 Months Old 21 lbs 0 oz, 31 in
That evening, I read through the packet he gave me, it basically says to add cheese, and real butter to everything...peanut butter, all sorts of condiments to add calories to every snack or meal. Also said to try Ensure into his liquid intake.
Later it dawned on me that he has had a double ear infection for who knows how long, (because apparently they don't hurt him like they do other kids) and that could explain his lack of appetite. Also, I realized I wasn't ever really sure how much he was eating because he was eating with his fingers now, and the left overs some how always end up in Gunner's belly.
So, I followed the packet as best I could. I added peanut butter and real butter to his oatmeal, I added Ensure to his whole milk, I added real butter to his veggies, and tried to feed him milkshakes. Too bad our child doesn't like cheese or noodles - two of the fattiest, easiest kid food ever! It's also too bad if you give him a grain, a fruit, and a dairy on his tray all he eats is the non fatty fruit!
I couldn't wait for that weight check, his weight and what he was eating was constantly weighing on my mind.
