Last Wednesday, Megan had her 9 month check up. It didn't exactly go like I had planned. I was expecting Megan to be off the charts, just like her brother, for height and for her to get a clean bill of health like always. What I got was a little girl who has dropped percentiles (from 80th to 50th for height, weight, and head circumference) over the past 3 months, lost weight, and has a low hemoglobin. But instead of being concerned, like I DEFINITELY was and still am, the doctor just said "oh, just give her green leafy vegetables." Sorry, but that is NOT a good enough answer for me. Why did she lose weight? Why is her hemoglobin low? Whats this rash on her belly that has been there for 3 weeks? Why did she only gain a little over a pound in 3 months? Each question I asked was returned with silly answers that didn't answer my questions at all and so I left in tears and frustrated and worried about my baby girl. I called one of the doctors I worked with who asked me first thing, "has she been pooping more?" I hadn't thought of that, but yes, she has. She goes like 3-4 times a day and it always looks JUST like what she just ate. With her low hemoglobin, she said that she would be concerned about absorption issues. That makes COMPLETE since to me. It would answer a lot of the questions we have had about Megan her whole life. Then, when Tim and I started talking more, we figured out that since her last visit when she weighed more, we had added wheat back in her diet. That would have explained the rash, the increase in poop, and perhaps the weight loss. So, just Sunday we cut all wheat/gluten out of her diet and already, the rash is gone and her number of poopy diapers a day has decreased. Although I hate that she potentially has this wheat allergy, I am thankful that it seems like maybe we have found the source of the problem. I am going to take her back in to the pediatrician in 2 weeks for a weight check, which was recommended to me by one of my doctor friends, and then also request, no, demand with this pediatrician, an allergy panel. That way, we can know for sure what Megan has problems with. Sigh. This being our second pediatrician, I am a bit frustrated. I thought we had found a good one. I'm not going to leave this practice just yet, but believe me, they will definitely be hearing a little piece of my mind at our next appointment!
Anyway, here are Megan's official stats.
Height 27 3/4 inches
Height 27 3/4 inches
Weight 19lb 5oz
Head Circumference 17 1/2 inches
Hemoglobin 10.2
Hemoglobin 10.2
In other news, Megan has been standing up CONSTANTLY lately. She has always been one that when she starts to learn something new, she does it as much as she can so she can get it just right. She used to like to practice crawling at night much to my dismay. :) Well, now that she has started to stand, she is crawling over to just about any object or person and trying to stand. She is starting to master it and even let go yesterday and just stood there. I can't believe how fast she is starting this! I think she'll be walking before 1 but who knows. Right now, she just seems too tiny to be able to do what she does!
My parents got her a little baby stroller/walker thing for Christmas and no matter how much I put her behind it or encourage her to play with it, she always goes over to Tyler's truck walker in stead. :) Yes, yes, she is my daughter.
My parents got her a little baby stroller/walker thing for Christmas and no matter how much I put her behind it or encourage her to play with it, she always goes over to Tyler's truck walker in stead. :) Yes, yes, she is my daughter.
