So. Noël had her two-year checkup yesterday at our ped's office! I'll admit, I was a bit nervous this time. In all our visits past, the girl has NEVER cried about shots or blood draws. She's just stone cold straight-faced. Yes, she's our stoic little girl. She could shoot a mean glare at the nurses, but no screams, no tears, no tantrums, nothing. I was certain yesterday would be our day.
Prayerfully, I set forth on our adventure and for the 'outsies' coming her way. I prepared her with prayer and telling her that she would be getting two 'outsies.' One for labs, the other for shots. I told her it was okay if she needed to cry and that Mommy would not be disappointed.
Usually, all painful things are saved for the end. Perhaps to break it up, the visit started with the blood draw. EEK. I warned Noël she was getting a quick one-two-three OUCH on her finger. She shook her head 'yes.' I asked her to hold my hand, so she did. She dutifully held out her little finger to the nurse. We counted down, then 'ouch.' The result. Nothing. She smiled, shook her head, 'yes,' and smiled again. The nurse and I just looked at each other and laughed. She got to wear a pretty pink bandaid. She was quite proud!
During the 'regular' part of her visit, we found out that this ugly rash she has had on her bottom is staph. Yuck. It started out as a yeast diaper rash. We treated with Nystatin. Still, after bits of improvement, the rash would reappear and look different and be more vengeful. Well, no wonder! She has been quite miserable with it, and tells me that it's 'outsie' and 'itsy.' That's ouchy and itchy. =) Poor little Noël. She's always such a good girl, even when she's just plain miserable. We were given Bacitran ointment, and in one day, has made a world of difference. Finally, she can sleep again!
When we measured her, she is now at 27 pounds 8 ounces. That's 50% on the charts for weight. Her height is 33 inches, which is on the 25% scale. Shorty! Her head. Now, that's big. At 19.5 inches, her head is on the 97%. That's my girl! We're all big heads in this family. And, shorties. She will fit in quite well!
We also had her armpits checked out. She had a month-long period where she kept holding her right underarm and telling us 'outsie.' Admittedly, I was a bit concerned. I would try to let her let me feel her lymph nodes, but she would get too tickled to hold still. The peds checked it yesterday, and everything appears fine.
Also of note, her heart murmur is gone! Thank you, God!
Now, the last bit of the visit. Her shots. =( I warned her again this would be a bigger ouchie. She again shook her head yes and affirmed she is a big tough girl. The first poke took her by surprise, but she held it in, albeit wild-eyed. The second poke, she gasped. Then, so sad.... she cried. For the first time ever! But, to her credit, it was short-lived. As soon as she had on her fancy bandaids and the big sucker in hand that Mommy had hidden in her purse, she was a-ok.
Little Sis got a shot, too. It wasn't even her turn for a visit! Poor girl. Our office was out of HiB at the last visit, so they gave FlareBear the shot this time. Although she wailed and wailed last time, she gave a quick 'ouuuwwwooooo' cry and was done. The nurses declared I had some tough kids on my hand! haha! Monday will be different. Flara has her Synagis shot for RSV prophylaxis. That one is thick and it burns. I know she'll really be upset for that one. =(
And, onto FlareBear. She is doing quite well. Since getting her frenulum clipped, she is eating much better and much more efficiently. She seemed to struggle at first because she didn't know what to do with all of that tongue. She also seemed a big amused at being able to stick her tongue out and lick her lips. It was really cute to watch her explore wide-eyed her new world those first few days.
She was the poster child for Mercy Health Partners in our March of Dimes campaign. I made her a poster, and was quite excited to share her story to garner support for March of Dimes. I hear the poster was a big success! I also donated a cake I made. It was quite purdy, I must say! It sold for a whopping $30!!!
Her hair gets frizzier by the minute! haha! There is no set pattern to the way it curls here and there. It's just plain out of control. Of all the grandkids and great-grandkids, she has the closest 'do to my Grandpa Compton. We will see what happens when all the baby fuzz falls out. It could come back straight, or it might just keep on rollin' up tight. It makes me smile!
And, smiling! She is a grinnin' girl now!!!! Mainly, she smiles for the same boyfriend that Noël smiled at... the ceiling fan. Occasionally, she will smile for Mike or for me, but it's mainly that ole fan. Her smiles start with a lip quiver, then she gets a left-sided Elvis lip curl, then her eyes light up, then she's all gums! I just love it. It seems these milestones have been a long time coming and boy, am I ever happy to finally see their arrival!
It warmed up today... almost back to our normal February temperatures. It made me happy! Noël, SnoopDogg, and I were able to get outside and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. Aahhhhhh... we really needed to get out of the house.
Blessings!
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