Trouble Walking One Block

We had Charlotte's 9 month check-up on Wednesday.  When we showed up they told us that our appointment was on Thursday.  I showed them the card they gave me to prove I was told the appointment was on Wednesday.  They decided to 'squeeze' us in, but gave us the option of coming back the next day.  We decided to stay.

Squeeze us in = 3 hours of waiting + seriously cranky, tired babies

I went to get us some snacks and water to make a bottle for Charlotte.  We ended up giving her some of our snacks too...she loved the bits of apple and small pieces of goldfish.  We survived the appointment, but barely.  Both kids were so tired and cranky by the end. 

We filled out Charlotte's medical history.  I really think they need to revamp this paperwork for babies.  Trouble walking one block?  Um, yes, she can't walk yet.  Last premenstrual cycle?  What?!?  Okay to leave a message with someone else?  No, ur, I mean yes, she can't talk yet so it's probably best to leave a message with her mommy or daddy.  I honestly feel like I don't know how to fill those things out for a baby.

Charlotte weighs 19 lb, 4 oz and is 27.5 in long.  She is finally as tall as Cooper, assuming he hasn't grown in the last month (probably a poor assumption).  This puts her at the 50th percentile for height and 50-75th percentile for weight.  Her head circumference is at the 95th percentile.  The doctor said it's not an issue unless it changes percentile and she will likely grow into her head.  If I remember correctly her biological siblings also have larger heads.

Her Hep B vaccine is slightly off schedule, so we have to give her an extra dose at her 1 year appointment.  The pediatrician says she is meeting her milestones as expected, and looking wonderful.  She says her using a sippy cup is advanced for her age and we are doing things right when it comes to nutrition (the biggest concern we have since we are so new to it).

Charlotte is really amazing us these days.  Here are all the things she is doing:  mimicking chewing when we do it, army crawling forward and backward, transitioning from sitting to laying, waving hi/bye, raising her arms up for 'touchdown', babbling up a storm (da-da, ba-ba, ma-ma, ta-ta), putting weight on flat feet in the standing position, and eating table foods (her favorite is chicken breast and tomatoes).

Cooper is so close to sitting on his own.  He is also enjoying the jumper now.  Solids are going okay.  Baby oatmeal is his favorite.  Avocado makes him gassy and have stomach problems.  He hates pears and peaches (I don't get that...those are so yummy!).  I think we're going to stick to cereal for another couple of weeks and then slowly try to introduce other things.  He doesn't seem quite ready for the other stuff.

We received news that the termination hearing for Charlotte is Oct 20, 2008.  We originally thought that since we are family and she has been in our care that the adoption would move quickly after the termination hearing.  We found out that there is quite a bit of paperwork that goes along with adoption.  We had hoped for finalizing the adoption in November, but it looks like the absolute earliest would be February, but it could be a couple months later.  We are a little bummed, but it will be fine.  We are just excited to make it permanent.  So, I think I'm going to move forward with making Charlotte's announcements now, and then maybe do a 'We're official!' sort of announcement later.

I think we are going to move forward with taking the classes to become certified foster parents.  In order to receive assistance from the state of CO we are required to be licensed.  There are 7 classes to take and we will have to get certified in CPR and first aid, as well as do another round of background checks and finger printing.  We can use the assistance to help provide for the family as well as put money away for college educations.