18 month ped report

Silas' pediatrician appointment yesterday was anticlimactic- in a good way.

I was pretty anxious going in, thinking the doctor may prescribe more tests since Silas isn't walking yet.  But I was relieved to find that Dr. Sturgeon, though still concerned, was satisfied with what we're already doing to help Silas improve.

After asking lots of questions about Silas' development, Dr. Sturgeon said, "There are two things I want to impress upon you." (Try to picture a 76-year-old man with a pronounced southern accent saying that sentence.)

1. Though he is still concerned, Dr. Sturgeon is pleased with Silas' progress and has the utmost confidence in the First Steps program.  He feels that doing physical therapy and speech therapy is the best thing we can be doing.  He does not think that trying to diagnose Silas would be helpful at this point, since it probably wouldn't change the way we are treating him. 

2. Dr. Sturgeon wants us to focus on helping Silas in the here and now without worrying about what he'll be doing in five years.  He wants us to operate under "catch-up" mode, because we have no reason at this point to think he won't catch up to his peers eventually.

I appreciated his advice.  I think he does a good job being proactive and addressing concerns, while still helping to curb my anxiety.

Silas has met most of his developmental milestones (except the physical and speech ones).  The one thing he is not doing is pointing with his index finger.

Other stats:

Weight- 22 lbs 8 oz
Height- 30 3/4"

Si has gained a pound and grown an inch an a quarter since his 15 month appointment.  He is only in the 5th to 10th percentile range, but the doctor said not to worry.  This is consistent with how he has been his whole life, and he is a good eater.  (Plus, I think he looks solid and healthy, for what it's worth!)  The funny thing is, his head is in the 75th percentile.  (I think he must get that from his dad?)

So now we have a break from appointments (and shots!) until Silas turns two!  Hooray!