To encapsulate our visit, here’s the A to Z of Mia’s checkup:
A is for Active
The pediatrician encourages children to swap screens for outdoor play. Mia loves swimming and horseback riding, dedicating a couple of hours daily to exercise—she has no interest in television at all.
B is for Briefly
As we waited, we were handed a standardized checklist. One question stood out: “Describe your child briefly.” I was tempted to be cheeky, but instead, I simply wrote: “Joyful. Caring. Determined.”
C is for Chomp
At one point, we handed Mia a wooden tongue depressor, which resulted in a few splinters.
D is for Development Questions
From the list: “Seldom plays with peers?” Check. “Doesn’t speak well for age?” Check. “Seems slow to understand?” Check. The checklist felt both silly and disheartening.
E is for Eat
These days, Mia eats everything, so we bring a chew toy to keep her occupied during the visit. However, she’s lost interest in our current options. Apparently, I need to find one shaped like a stethoscope.
F is for Five Stars
Our doctor awarded us five stars as Mia’s parents. Though it sounds amusing, it was a reassuring boost amid our doubts.
G is for Growth Chart
Why do we obsess over Mia’s growth percentiles? We constantly feed her, and she eats like an athlete. What more can we do?
H is for Happy
This word came up repeatedly during our visit. Despite her challenges, Mia remains generally joyful and easy-going.
I is for Immature
From the checklist: “Acts much younger than her age?” Check.
J is for Juice
The doctor recommended reducing juice intake in favor of more water. Mia hardly ever drinks juice anyway.
K is for Kiss
While discussing Mia’s affectionate nature, she gifted me a sloppy kiss—adorable!
L is for Limits
My partner remarked, “The only limitations Mia has are the ones we impose on her.”
M is for Milestones
These were listed on the other side of the developmental checklist. For years, I’ve been told to disregard them since Mia is significantly delayed, but it’s tough to let go of that burden. This might have been the first time I truly did.
N is for Nurse
The new nurse wasn’t familiar with Mia. I often struggle with how to respond when she’s asked a question and silence follows; it gets awkward. I must improve on explaining her nonverbal communication.
O is for Open
The doctor checked Mia’s ears and declared them healthy.
P is for Paleo
We’ve adapted Mia’s diet over the years, and this approach works well for her, resulting in minimal reflux and almost no eczema—fantastic!
Q is for Quality
Mia’s doctor is exceptional. Throughout the visit, she kept asking, “What else can I do for you right now?”
R is for Relentless
Keeping Mia contained in the exam room is quite a workout; it’s definitely a two-person job. She’s always on the move, which is fantastic. And I can’t help but mention how great our chiropractor is!
S is for Shots
Mia received three vaccinations: flu, polio, and another I can’t recall. I held her hand during each shot. She tensed briefly but didn’t cry or express pain—impressive!
T is for Testing
We had Mia’s genome mapped, but we still don’t have any clear answers about her condition. We’re alright with this uncertainty for now.
U is for Uncharted Territory
Next fall, Mia will start kindergarten. Will she be potty trained? Will she navigate the hallways independently?
V is for Vision
Mia requires corrective lenses. She needs a new prescription, and her current frames allow her to pop the lenses out, which is concerning. We know we need to schedule another eye test with the same ophthalmologist who, years ago, dismissed our concerns about her vision.
W is for Weight
Weighing Mia is chaotic. She won’t sit still, making it feel like trying to put a snake on a bicycle while a third person attempts to paint the scene.
X is for X-Rays
Mia’s hips are currently healthy, so thankfully, we didn’t need to discuss this.
Y is for Year
I happened to glance at her file and saw last year’s checklist. For the question, “How are you doing as a parent?” I had written “Fine.” My handwriting was jagged, and it was evident I was annoyed to answer. This time, I wrote “Great.”
Z is for Zero
We’re in a good place with Mia right now. Besides needing a vision test, we have zero urgent issues to address.
For those exploring parenthood or considering home insemination options, check out our article on the Home Insemination Kit. Additionally, if you’re interested in personal experiences, this story is a valuable read. For a comprehensive guide on what to expect during IUI, refer to this excellent resource on first IUI experiences.
In summary, this checkup highlighted our ongoing journey with Mia. Despite various challenges, we feel optimistic about her progress and the support we receive from our healthcare providers.