Today was Landree’s 6 month checkup. You know what that means…. shots! She was supposed to get them last week but her daddy’s trip to the emergency room bought her another week. (Just a side note…..never eat a pork chop for
breakfast that was purchased the previous day and left out for a prolonged period of time. It will most likely result in a very expensive ambulance ride!)
Aside from the shots, we were excited for Landree’s appointment. We were
eager to hear about her growth and how she’s developing. Of course we think she’s doing great but are always anxious to hear what her doctor says. Today she weighed 15lbs 8ozs. It’s hard to believe she weighs more than twice as much
as she did when she was born! Her doctor says that so far her growth is right on track and she’s doing the things any 6 month old does. Just in the last few days she’s started mimicking us when we say mama or dada. Now the race is on to see which
one she says first on her own! She’s in the normal range on the growth chart for “typical” kids and off the charts for kids with Down syndrome. I hear kids with Down syndrome generally have smaller heads but Landree’s isn’t. My
theory is the tendency for kids with Down syndrome to have small heads is balancing out the melon heads that run in our family. Thus, giving Landree a perfect sized head. Just another example of how Down syndrome can be a blessing. LOL
We brought
along our little list of questions and worries. Her pediatrician is always such a good sport and settles us down when we panic over silly things. Apparently continuing to let Landree sleep in a bassinet in our bedroom for the rest of her life just so I can
make sure she never sleeps on her stomach is not a realistic idea. He also assured us that if she needs three or four different kinds of therapies some day he’ll help us navigate that. We can deal with things when the time comes but there’s no
need to worry now. Hmm….funny how things are much more believable when he says them.
She got four shots at the doctor’s office and then had blood drawn at the lab to test her thyroid and her blood count. She was such a big girl! Her
lip puckered and she looked like she was about to let out the biggest scream ever, but she didn’t. She calmed down as soon as we picked her up. When she was having her blood drawn she started to cry but the nurse starting singing “Twinkle Twinkle
Little Star.” Landree stopped and looked at her and then gave her a little smile. It was like it really didn’t make her feel better but she appreciated the effort. So sweet.
Next week Landree has an appointment with a specialist to check
out her lungs. Her doctor says he just wants a second opinion since she’s had so many coughs. Knowing how we worry, he told us it probably wasn’t anything big because she’s growing so well. He told us we should think of things like this as
just a tune up. Loved that!
We don’t have the results from her blood work yet, but everything else checked out great. We’re pretty confident things will be ok with her lungs but prayers would certainly be appreciated. Health issues will
pop up along the way and that’s ok. We just feel blessed that she’s been healthy so far!
Happy Valentine’s Day!!