Roman's One Year Well Check

 Roman's Stats

Weight: 17 lbs 11 oz (4th%ile)

Height: 28.25  in (2nd%ile)

Roman is doing remarkably well!  He's highly active and very verbal.  He is saying three words with meaning now which just blows me away.  His three words in order of learning them are "Mama," "Up," and "Hannah."  He has one tooth (bottom right incisor) and one on the way (bottom left incisor.)  He's Army crawling, getting in the bear pose (we call them his baby push ups,)  standing with balance help, sitting for a for fifteen to thirty seconds on his own (if distracted, he doesn't like it,) clapping, eating stage one baby foods(not quite a normal amount though,) starting to eat baby (Cheeto shaped) veggie puffs, starting to try to drink from a special straw cup, and generally being adorable and irresistible.  He is gaining weight and drinking his bottles great some weeks and not so great others.  His pediatrician was happy with his weight gain and has allowed us to reduce his fortification again to 22kcal now!  Since doing that he is drinking 6.5 oz bottles for his four awake feedings and then drinks a varied amount (but never the full 6.5oz) at his "dream feed" at 11 pm.  He is soaking his bibs again while drinking, possibly because it's a little thinner, but the difference is so small that I can't understand why this would cause this much spillage.  Anyway, he is struggling with constipation again despite all that we do to prevent it.  (It is since our last trip.)

He got his MMR vaccine and did not have a hard time which is wonderful news since the vaccines normally hit him hard.  I am spacing them out a bit.  He didn't grow in length as much as he did in weight.  His arms and legs are definitely short, even for a baby with Down syndrome.  He has upcoming appointments with Endocrinology, Ophthalmology, and Cardio-thoracic surgery (I'll explain further in the next post.)  Not on the books yet, but he also needs a swallow study to see if his reflux is still there and if he is aspirating (which I don't think he is.)  We had a light summer, doctor-wise, but we are hitting it hard in September with four doctor appointments in addition to his seven therapies.  His pediatrician mentioned adding on some therapies, and I tried to keep a straight face, because...when?  I also have two orthodontic appointments and two doctor appointments for other kids this month, aaaand we are finalizing the adoption this month on the feast of St. Padre Pio (Yay!) all before we head to the beach for our yearly vacation with family (not a month long like in the past.)  It's a lot, but I love it!  I love being busy and being a mother to all seven of these precious, individual souls.

I finished his Thor towel!  Can't wait to get a picture of all (young) the cousins with their superhero towels.  The big kids outgrew theirs and I just made them towels with names on them.

The boys are excellent at feeding him baby food.  It takes a lot of energy to convince him to take each bite, and they are full of energy!