Aidan and Caitlin had their well baby appointments last week and both of them weighed in at the low one percentile of their weight charts. Aidan, at 4 years, weighs 28.5 lbs (12.9 kg) and Caitlin, at nine months, weighs 15.65 lbs (7.1 kg). Height wise they are around the 20th and 15th percentile respectively (Aidan measured in at 39.5 inches and Caitlin at 25.5 inches). Neither William nor I are worried about these low numbers. Given that he is tall and ultra skinny and I’m short and “healthy” it is no surprise to us that our kids are so tiny. But it is funny to hear the doctors try to “put us at ease” about our kids growth. Sometimes I think they are more worried about the growth than we are and they are talking out loud in order to make themselves feel better about it.
Anyway, as I was saying, Aidan had his four year well baby appointment which is a big one for kids. They get their vision and hearing checked and they get a round of booster shots. William took Aidan to get his hearing and vision tested while I stayed in the room with Caitlin and Mark. When they came back from the tests, the report I got from William was very funny. Aidan was really excited about the procedure.
Nurse: Aidan look into the microscope and tell me what you see.
Aidan: I see pictures.
Nurse: What pictures do you see?
Aidan: I see pictures.
Nurse: (Shows Aidan a copy of the images that is under the microscope). Can you tell me what these pictures are? Aidan correctly identifies the pictures.
Nurse: Can you tell me which pictures you see under there (pointing to the microscope).
Aidan: (Looks through the microscope) I see ‘A’. I see pictures!
Nurse to William: He will have to redo the eye test at his five year well baby appointment.
She proceeds to check his hearing and place a headphone on his head.
Nurse: Aidan raise you hand when you hear the music.
Aidan raises his hand.
Nurse: No Aidan, raise you hand when you hear the music.
Aidan raises his hand.
Nurse: The music is not on.
Aidan raises his hand, higher, higher.
Needless to say the tests were inconclusive.
Also, Aidan said the cutest things about Caitlin. When the doctor was examining his sister he told her, “She’s a princess.” And when it was Caitlin’s turn to get her shots (after he had gotten his) he tells the nurse, “Don’t hurt her.” It makes me proud that Aidan is such a wonderful and caring big brother.
PS: In case you are curious, I just measured Mark. He weighs 23 lbs (10.4 kg) and is approximately 34 inches tall.
