Mireya is a Skinny Monkey

By 12 months, Mireya weighed 18 pounds. Now, at 14 months, Mireya still weighs 18 pounds. She has grown quite a bit taller and her head circumference has increased the way it's supposed too, but she just hasn't gained weight like I was really hoping she would. Her pediatrician said to just wait and be patient at her 12 month, but because she hasn't gained in 2 months, I thought it was time for a second opinion.

Last week we had an appointment with another pediatrician and about an hour before her appointment, she fell into the coffee table and split her lip. It was horrible and it was the first time she's bled from an injury. We got it stopped and had it checked out by the pediatrician and it's going to heal just fine. In fact, it's already looking pretty good by today. It was convenient that we had an appointment the day she decided to try and stand on her upside down xylophone next to the edge of the coffee table, while reading a book. Maybe she plans on trying out for the circus when she's older...

Anyway, the pediatrician decided that it was time to run some blood work and do a urine test just to be sure something else wasn't underlying that was causing Mireya to not gain weight. They needed enough blood that they had to draw it from her arm. It was so sad. Jason, a nurse and I had to hold her down, while another nurse drew the blood. It was pretty quick and Mireya was so brave for such a tiny girl. Then we were sent home with the task of collecting urine for testing. Since Mireya always pee-pees when she naked outside of the tub after a bath, I used that to my advantage for once. Normally it's an "Oh no!" moment. This time it was perfect and Jason ran the sample in the next day. It came back totally normal.

I've been anxiously awaiting the results from the blood work and I got a call from the pediatrician this morning. She said that all of the labs came back normal and nothing was amiss. Whew. That's a sigh of relief. We are going to follow up in about a month for her 15 month checkup and see if she's gained any weight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The pediatrician said we "aren't out of the woods yet," but "maybe she'll make her own growing curve and just be a skinny girl." I hope that's all it is. I was underweight most of my life and maybe she's simply going to be the same way. I guess we'll see.

On a different note--Mireya has been seeing the chiropractor I go to. She's a miracle worker; truly. I had noticed Mireya holding her head like it hurt and when I went to dry her hair or style it, she would cry. She did not want it touched and even though the pediatrician said nothing was wrong, I was growing increasingly concerned. The chiropractor examined her head and discovered that all of the plates were in the wrong positions. She worked on it and it was amazing to watch, Mireya started out crying and then she was suddenly happy and smiling. I've noticed an even bigger change at home. Mireya no longer screams when I dry her hair, I am able to style it in pony tail holders (if she holds still long enough) and she has stopped holding her head. She has been back several times and the difference from the way she was before and the way she is now is quite significant.

It makes me so mad that I've been mentioning these problems with her head to the pediatrician for MONTHS and he has told me over and over how nothing is wrong. I knew her head hurt, but I finally convinced myself that I must be imagining it, because the medical doctor couldn't find anything wrong. I'm just thrilled that she is getting help now, even if it's months later than it should've been. Oh, the chiropractor fixed a spot that was jammed in her back and one in her neck as well. The things this woman does are profoundly amazing.