Graham Update

Every six months Graham it carted to all of his doctor's appointments. We visit the dentist, his rehabilitation physician and his primary care provider...all usually falling within the span of a week. We started out this round of check-ups with the dentist - all looked good! He just got the last of his baby teeth so we're done with that until the babies start falling out and the permanent teeth take their place. 

Next stop - Children's Mercy Rehabilitation Clinic for an assessment of his brachial plexus injury. As always, I was hoping that we'd go and they would tell us that Graham looks perfect and we don't have to see them anymore unless there was some sort of problem...wishful thinking. Instead, I was told that his arm and shoulder muscles are a little tighter than they like so we need to start seeing a physical therapist again. Ultimately, the most important thing is that Graham gets the care he needs so we can avoid any potential issues he may face in the future but, I have to be honest in that I was a little sad when we left the hospital. We will start seeing his PT monthly and she will determine if we need to schedule more frequent visits or scale back. We will also continue to see Graham's rehabilitation physician twice a year until he feels we are  good to move to annual appointments. When I asked the doctor where he sees Graham's care going for the long term, he said that he thinks there will be periods throughout Graham's childhood/adolescence where we will need to see the PT on a regular basis, primarily when he is going through growth spurts. Then, there will be times where there isn't a need. As an adult, he will likely be completely fine, with the occasional visit to a PT if he is experiencing any pain...I think of this somewhat like a chiropractor visit where you go when you need an adjustment. Overall, we are SO SO SO happy with how far he has come since day 1, so there was really no reason for me to be sad when we left his appointment. As a mom, you just look at your perfect little baby and never want them to struggle or feel pain...that is the part that is still hard for me, and I'm sure it always will be. On a positive note - I'm sure Graham will love the extra playtime with the PT and all of their "new" toys. :)

Last stop - Grahams 2.5 year well-child check-up. We got a great report from the doctor - everything is looking great! Graham weighed in at 28.2 pounds and is 37 inches tall which puts him in roughly the 25th percentile for weight and the 80th percentile for height - our tall and skinny "big boy"! He also got his flu vaccine while we were at the doctor and was able to get the nasal spray instead of a shot this time - awesome!!

While I'm giving a Graham update, here are a few other things that our guy has been up to:

• We are working on potty training...however, he seems to really only be in to it when it is delaying the inevitable...bedtime. 
• Graham talks NON-STOP! He has so much to say and is absolutely hilarious right now. I have no idea where he comes up with some of the stuff that blurts out of his mouth. 
• He knows most of his colors (blue and red are still sometimes a little tricky) and counts all the time (only lately has he been skipping 3...weird). 
• He is a little night owl and would probably stay up all night if we would let him. Literally, staying up until midnight is nothing for him. Thankfully he is a good sleeper still and will sleep in if he stays up late. I've had to wake him up at 11am on multiple occasions. 
• Graham is an eater...and doesn't really seem to be too picky which makes life easier for us. He'll eat sushi, chips and salsa, buffalo chicken pizza, etc. However, his all-time favorite is the same as every other 2-year-old...mac and cheese. He also loves oatmeal (with peanut butter in it), yogurt, club crackers and any doughnut that gets within eyesight. 
• If Graham is awake...he is moving. He climbs, jumps and runs everywhere. I have to tell him at least 10 times a day to stop jumping on the couch...I just know that he's going to fall and break something, quite possibly a bone.
• He loves going to the park, coloring with crayons or sidewalk chalk and playing with balls, cars, trucks, trains, ninja turtles, Spider-Man, army men and Buzz Lightyear.
• He is such a little social and outgoing kid...everyone is his "buddy" and that is how he refers to most strangers (though he has never met a stranger). He loves playing with his cousins...along with Morley and Will who live close by and he gets to see on a pretty regular basis.
• Though he is a busy body, he will (almost) always stop and give you a hug and kiss if you ask for it. He usually doesn't have time to cuddle unless it is in "Mommy-Daddy's bed" and it is pushing off...yep, bedtime. I'm a sucker for snuggling my baby though so this works on me Every.Single.Time...thankfully, Daddy isn't quite the pushover that I am.

I'm sure I've miss tons of stuff our crazy 2-year-old is up to. All I know is that Graham has never been more fun than he is right now (I feel like I say that at every stage). There are definitely times when he tests our patience but there is never a day that goes by when I don't think about how lucky we are that he is ours. He is such a blessing that we couldn't be more grateful for!