Is there ever a scenario when being "off the charts" is a good thing? Perhaps when speaking of intelligence? Dude, your intelligence is off the charts! Yeah, that would be cool to hear.
And I know when something is "off the hook" that's a good thing, right? I crack myself up when I try to be hip. I am halfway through my thirties and the mom of two ... being hip is not really an option for me.
Oh, I digress ... I am dragging my feet because I am not sure how I feel about the news we got at the doctor's office today. It's not terrible, by any means. But I feel ... discouraged ... like I've done something wrong, or at least not right ... hopeful that everything is totally fine and this is a needless hoop to jump through ...
Not surprisingly, Charlotte's weight has fallen off the charts. Instead of plotting steadily along the 3rd percentile trajectory. Instead of gaining an adequate amount of weight. My little peanut fell right off the chart. Here's the bottom of the chart ... and here's her little dot ... below the acceptable margin. She is also lagging just a bit when it comes to length. But her head circumference is right on track ... and really, if there's a measurement you want right on track, I guess it's the one related to her brain, right?!
Dr. M has decided a second opinion is not a bad idea. But she doesn't want just any second opinion. She wants Charlotte seen by some big-wig pediatric endocrinologist. Of course, it is nearly impossible to get an appointment with Dr Fancy Pants (that's my nickname for him and I haven't even met him yet); apparently he's highly sought after (what must that be like?) and he sees patients on a very limited schedule (like only three days a week). I am hopeful that our second opinion will involve non-evasive testing and will either a) reassure us that everything is fine or b) will provide us with answers and lead to effective treatment.
In the meantime, Project Introduce Solid Food is in full effect! Which means I am back to pumping (oh, how I hate to pump!) once a day to have enough breast milk to mix with rice cereal ... yummy! We've also considered supplementing with formula, but the plan is to go for solids first and leave formula as our plan B.
Those of you with tiny babies, please give me some insight, peace-of-mind, questions I should be asking, ...
I'll leave you with one last thought ...
Fair to say Charlotte's cuteness is off the charts, too!
