Three Year Check-Up

Seeing an appointment for a check-up for Camden on the calendar used to fill me with dread. For nearly 2 years of his life, Camden hated going to the doctor. From the time he was about 9 months old until he was about 2 and a half years old, his stranger anxiety was so severe that he would start shaking as soon as a doctor walked into the room. Even climbing on the scale to check his weight was a big ordeal. And if they tried to look in his ears or shine a light in his eyes? Commence screaming. It was never a pleasant experience for Camden or for me-- and, I'm sure, it wasn't exactly a picnic for the doctors and nurses we encountered either.

Today was Camden's 3 year well-child check-up and it was an entirely different experience. I knew Camden was over his stranger anxiety so I was curious to see how it would go. I didn't expect, however, that he'd smile at everyone, bounce happily down the hallway, and high five the doctors. Basically? He had a great time at the appointment (well, until he got his flu shot & his finger pricked, but no one really enjoys that).

I was also surprised at how involved the appointment was. Up until this point, well-child checks had consisted of lots of questions for me concerning Camden's development, a quick physical examination, a weight check, and some vaccinations. Pretty routine stuff. So, I was surprised today when I took the back seat at this appointment and all questions were addressed to Camden. Right away, he was asked to say his own name (first and last), how old he is, and if he's a boy or a girl. Then they took him off to another room for an eye exam where he had to identify various shapes on a chart. My favorite part of this exam? When the nurse got to one of the really tiny, nearly impossible to see lines and pointed to a shape, Camden said, "I don't know that baby shape."

When we headed back to our room,  Camden was asked to draw a circle and to identify several different colors. Then the physical exam began and I got to watch Camden balance carefully on each foot, touch his toes, and perform some other tasks-- all with ease. Since I don't get to see Camden in a preschool or daycare setting, today was really the first time I got to see him put all of his skills and abilities on display for someone other than me and I have to say: I was a proud mama.

But the best part of the appointment? (Well, other than having a healthy, "smart as a whip", 3 year old...) When the NP finished asking Camden a series of questions, she turned to me and said, "Well, his speech is perfect." I seriously could've cried at that statement, given all of the worry, hard work, and effort that went into Camden's speech over the past year.

And just because I can never conclude a well-child check-up recap without documenting how ridiculously skinny my kids are: Camden is weighing in at 28 lbs. Pretty sure that child doesn't have an ounce of fat on his body, much like his daddy. He's been long and lean since day one.

 

We adore this guy.