This past Friday Caden had his 15 month check up. He weighs 20.4 lbs and is 32 inches tall. Still a tiny little monkey, but oh how we love him! The doctor asked a series of questions just to make sure that he is on track. They asked if he could say 3 words other than 'mama' and 'dada'....ummm yes, he has 19 words. He also will say, 'I la you da' after Cayce tells him that he loves him. So sweet. When the doctor actually heard Caden say the sentence his jaw dropped. He asked how long he had been saying that and I told him about a week before he turned one. Apparently children do not put together sentences this early, and with his increased vocabulary the doctor said that we definitely have a smart cookie on our hands! He also asked about Caden's diet, does he eat enough, what is he eating, ect. I told the doctor that he eats everything that is slower than he is, just kidding. But he does eat everything that we eat. I was concerned about how much he eats BECAUSE one evening he ate : 4 slices of pizza (adult slices, crust included), a fruit cup, a yogurt cup, and 3 handfuls of cheerios with 5 oz of milk. Another evening he ate an ENTIRE 7 layered burrito from Taco Bell, a fruit cup, a yogurt cup, and two handfuls of goldfish and 5 oz of milk. He eats a lot, and yet he is only 20.4 lbs. Where does he put the food?! The doctor said that he has a fast metabolism and as long as the meal is nutritionally rounded, go for it. So if he is already eating this much, I am assuming I need not just a college fund set up but a daily meal fund as well for when he gets to be a teen. Oh boy.
I recently purchased some large drawing paper and jumbo crayons for Caden. The boy is in heaven! He loves to draw...I am just happy that something is keeping him occupied for longer than 5 minutes lol! So far he hasn't decided to taste the crayons, but he has stuck a few in his nose. I guess because they fit so perfectly, so why not? *sigh* At least they are non toxic, but they are made in China...soooo....yeah. I also bought some sidewalk chalk, I am hoping to test those out this weekend!
It has been a few weeks, but when the weather was beautiful I stripped Caden down in his diaper and let him have at it with the water hose in the back yard. Two hours...and he still didn't want to come in. I found another winner with Caden!
He has been growing by leaps and bounds since his surgery. His hair is growing over his incision so you can't see it nearly as much as before. I was able to give a small educational talk to Caden's physicians regarding craniosynostosis. I think they are all more aware of it now and are definitely checking every child now even more so. They were so apologetic about missing Caden's diagnosis (It was my persistence that got my a referral to TCH that led to his surgery). I told them that it was no ones fault. I believe everything happens for a reason. This allowed me to speak to all the physicians and it has brought about a greater awareness for other children. So if all of this happened so that Caden's story could perhaps save another child, then it is all worth it. God works in mysterious ways. I just know that Caden is healthy, happy and growing like a weed. I am beyond happy in love with my family. My life is blessed.
Speaking of blessed...I now have a new job. I no longer work at MD Anderson, but I am now a school nurse at Sanchez Elementary. It was a difficult decision for me to change jobs because I loved my job so very much. I loved my coworkers and I loved, loved, loved my patients. However, MDA was making changes and the 13hr shifts were becoming more taxing on my health. I also wasn't satisfied with the amount of time I was giving to my family. This new position allows me to be home every evening and I can cook and have dinner on the table! I drive home now while the sun is still shining, it is amazing! It is a little difficult going to work 5 days a week instead of just 3, but the hours are shorter and I know that it will be better for my health and my family. It has just been two weeks and I already have seen the difference in my family, for the better. God is good :)
