Oliver's Blog: Trip to Chicago

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Trip to Chicago

We just got back a few days ago from my first trip to Chicago! We stayed with my Grandma Lori and Grandpa Dave, but we got to do all kinds of things while we were there. The airplane wasn't bad at all (even though it took off at 6 a.m. and we had to get up mighty early)! I didn't make a peep the entire trip to Chicago. On Friday we had my daddy's favorite for lunch - PORTILLO'S! Then we had Aurelios Pizza for dinner. I got to travel to Andersonville in the city to visit my daddy's friend Matt. Then the next day we went to see my mommy's friends Jenny, Jenny, Aaron, Will, and Ben in Evanston. Will loved to help me with my pacifier if it fell out. He was quite attentive! The next day my grandparents had this huge party at their house. They rented this monstrous tent that took up the whole backyard and then they invited all their friends over. I think maybe they wanted to show me off- I'm not sure though. It was a fabulous party (even though I slept through half of it)! Another day we went to the Museum of Science and Industry to see a Smart Home and a cool glass exhibit. My grandpa was dying for me to meet his breakfast group so of course we had to go to the bakery for breakfast one day. The day before we left, we went into the city to see my Uncle Timmy's and Susan's new condo. It was quite a super place with a fabulous kitchen. After a week we flew back home. The airplane ride home went just as well as the ride there - I was even awake for most of it! I'm sad that I won't get to see my grandparents for a long time. Maybe they'll come see me soon.

4 year Dr. Appt.

32 lbs. 6 oz. - 50%
38 5/8 in. - 25%

I had a great 4 year appointment. Mommy and Dr. Natasha talked about milk and what we can do since I don't do a good job drinking it (Tums or Viactiv). We also talked about how I still wear Pull-Ups at night. Dr. Natasha had this fabulous idea to buy special night time underwear. She even suggested that I buy cool superhero underwear. Then I had to keep my day time underwear separate from my nighttime underwear. So, right after the appointment we did just that-- we bought nighttime underwear with superheros on them and I have been wearing them ever since with no problems at all!

I had to get 3 shots at my appointment. I was very brave and laid right down for them. I cried for a few moments and then forgot all about the shots when I got some fun stickers!

3 year Dr. Appt.

27 lbs. 6 oz. - 25%
35 1/2 in. - 10%

I had a good visit with Dr. Natasha. She was very glad that I had moved into the 25% for weight. I wasn't real talkative since I didn't remember her real well. She did mention that I need to get a bike helmet for riding my tricycle on the driveway. Mommy asked her about napping and she told Mommy that lots of kids start to give up their nap at 3. She recommended that if I don't nap that I should go to bed earlier. Dr. Natasha was happy that I recently started potty-training. I didn't get any shots this time so that made me very happy!

2 year Dr. Appt.

18 month Dr. Appt.

22 lbs. 3 oz. - ~10%
31 ins. - +10%
Head Circumference: 19 1/s in. - 75%

We had a quick visit with Dr. Natasha. Since I'm growing and doing well we didn't have to stay too long. She told me that I'm not allowed to go back until I'm 2 years old! Can you believe that? She's just hoping that I don't get sick this winter. Me too. I don't like being sick. I got a flu shot so hopefully that will help out. I cried when I got stuck, but once Mommy picked me up, I was much better! We did find out that I have eczema on the back of my arms and my calves. The fancy name is Keratosis Pilaris. It doesn't bother me at all because it's just little bumps like chicken skin. Some Eucerin lotion should help the bumps.

Endocrinology update

Well, on September 3, 2009, I finally went to the endocrinologist at Children's Mercy Hospital. Dr. Moore looked at all my test results and decided I was fine. He even said that I had a nice layer of subcutaneous fat. He used lots of big words when he talked so I didn't understand a lot of what he said. Basically, there was something wrong, but nobody knows what and since I have gotten taller and gained weight he says whatever was wrong must have gone away. Maybe it's our new house. Now that I have more room to play - I can grow! We're going back in 6 months, but I doubt Dr. Moore will find anything.

15 month Dr. Appt.

19 lb. 7 oz. - 3%
29 3/4 in. - 10%
Head Circumference: 19 1/4 in. - 90%

Dr. Natasha said I was doing awesome (despite being in the 3rd percentile) for my weight. Dr. Natasha was impressed that I already knew at least 20 words. She couldn't believe I hadn't seen the endocrinologist yet. My appt. is on Sept. 3 with Dr. Moore. She did say that my sweat chloride test came back negative. This was to test for cystic fibrosis so Mommy was really happy to hear that it was negative. This time I remembered Martha, the nurse, and really did not want her to weigh and measure me. She came back at the end of the appt. with those terrible shots. I knew I should avoid her!

12 month Dr. Appt.

18 lb. 4 oz. - 3%ile
27 1/4 inches - 3%ile
Head circumference - 19" - 90%ile

Dr. Natasha said my motor and emotional development is 'rock solid', but she is concerned that I fell off the curve I was following on the growth chart. She is especially worried since my Mommy told her I eat and eat and eat! I love eating. The Doctor said that my head is growing great, but somehow the rest of my body isn't getting all the nutrients it needs to get. I had to give lots of blood so they can do some tests. I also got an X-ray of my rib to make sure that the way it stuck out wasn't a problem. The X-ray tech said it looked normal so that's good.

9 Month Dr. Appt.

16 lbs. 10 oz. - 5%ile
26 3/4 inches - 10%ile
Head circumference - 18 1/4" - 75%ile

Dr. Natasha said that I'm so active that I need to eat as much as possible! She said that I'm allowed to keep eating as long as I'm hungry. I should also have formula in my sippy cup at meals instead of just water. Isn't that good news? I went down on the growth chart some, but Dr. Natasha doesn't seem worried. She was happy that I know 4 different sounds now (ba, ga, ma, da -- I learned them in this order). She said that since I'm so concerned about moving that I might not do a lot of talking, but that's o.k. She also said that I have good balance when I move around.