Follow-up Appointment

Today's follow-up appointment went exactly the opposite of how I thought it would go.

Side note: We had to see the same doctor today. Dr. Obsessive. Trust me, I tried to change pediatricians (within the same practice). I even scheduled an appointment with another doctor. Then I got a call on Friday from their receptionist that went something like this:

Receptionist: Umm, I see you scheduled your appointment for Camden next week with Dr. Not-Obsessive. But you normally see Dr. Obsessive. Is this a mistake?

Me: No. Not a mistake. My sister sees Dr. Not-Obsessive & recommended him to me. I thought I'd give him a try.

Receptionist: Well... we don't really like to do that. Because, you know, this is a follow-up appointment. Maybe you could see Dr. Obsessive for the follow-up and then next time Camden has another appointment, like a well-baby check, you can see Dr. Not-Obsessive?

If I had an ounce of assertiveness in my personality, I'm sure I would've demanded to see Dr. Not-Obsessive anyway (I really need to pick out new names for these doctors that aren't quite so lengthy). But because I'm an over-the-top people pleaser, I agreed. Reluctantly.

So, this afternoon, with knots in my stomach (and Matt & Camden by my side), I waited for Dr. O. I felt ready. I was bracing myself for all possible scenarios. I had prepared my objections, all the while reminding myself not to be defensive. Then she walked in the door. Game on.

First thing she asked me? If I was worried about Camden's development. She put the ball in my court. Clever. And a good strategy for dealing with People Like Me (read: Crazy Worriers).

I was honest. I told her I was worried about his lack of babbling. She asked me what he can say. I told her "doh", "dah", "geeee", and a few other incredibly adorable but one syllable sounds.

"But," I added, "He understands everything. He knows his name & turns when it's called. He knows lots of other words too," I said while listing those words off to her. I also mentioned the things he imitates (head shaking being his favorite). And, of course, I had to brag about his advanced physical abilities.

And then I wanted to curl up in a ball while I waited for her response.

"This all sounds good," she said.

SAY WHAAAAA?!!

Not exactly what I was expecting from Dr. O. But she continued: "His receptive language sounds really good & normal. And as long as he is saying some things, then that's okay."

I think the entire office heard my sigh of relief.

Know what else she said? That I can stop saying "mamama" and "dadada" to him 500 times a day. "You're probably annoying him" were her exact words. I decided to look past the fact that she called me annoying because I was so thankful that I can stop babbling like a lunatic every day.

Yes, we talked about his weight too. I pointed to my very tall, very thin husband & told her that I think Camden is built exactly like him. I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree on that point (she says genetics don't really take over in the weight department until after age 2. I realize I didn't go to med school but still...I find it pretty darn convincing that genetics might play a small part since Camden's body is a miniature version of his Daddy's). And she told me the same old stuff: feed him more table foods. Add lots of butter & sour cream. And I will. He gained a decent amount over the past 2 weeks, which I'm going to credit to the cake & cupcakes pictured in my last post.

I liked being pleasantly surprised by a doctor's visit for once. It was a nice change.

Side note: Camden was not pleasantly surprised by this visit. He screamed his head off the second Dr. O walked in the door & did not stop until we left the building. Holy stranger anxiety.