9 month check-up
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Matthew and I took our precious bundle to the doctor today for his 9 month check-up. He did quite well. Apparently though, Matthew and I are lacking in the parental department. For instance, we haven't done a number of things with Marin that we are "supposed" to be doing on his baby development check-list.
Unfortunately, it was a pop quiz and not something that we had studied for. For instance, we haven't given him small objects such as cheerios to pick up with his fingers. Maybe that is because our doctor expressly forbids giving cheerios and other small, hard objects to babies his age. Since we follow his letter to the law, I figured if I marked the check box with a yes that child services would swat team the exam room. As another example of our parental neglect, we have not been regularly taking Marin's toys away from him. "Does your baby give you a toy when you say Give That To Me", was one of the question. Uh, I don't know was my response. I've never tried taking a toy from him or asking him if I could have his toy. I don't know many 3 year olds who have grasped the concept of sharing, much less 9 month olds, so we didn't think that was a big deal.
Most people I know will be gloating at this because they will say it is because Marin isn't in daycare. Or they will diagnose his lack of social progress to the fact that he is an only child---yeah, that has to be it. He doesn't get much social stimulation at all in fact. He only goes to Preds games and hangs out with several thousand of his closest friends. He has a play date with baby Brooks at least a couple times a week. Day before yesterday, he went to Target, Wal-Mart, Kroger and Publix. He smiles and waves at strangers. He gets comments while we are out and about because of his friendly nature and good behavior. So, yeah, he just sits at home with me all day in a bubble. I am a failure as a mother, that's for certain.
After our pediatrician stated the obvious (the fact that Marin seems just fine in his social development regardless of the questionnaire and hasn't even picked up the stranger anxiety that is common at this age) I felt a bit better. After he suggested that I pick up the 12 month check list from the front desk and take it home to study it, I was downright giddy.
As I sat in the front seat on the way home, silently planning Marin's all night cram sessions, I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Marin will be at home one day in his basement and Animal Cops will show up and bust him for having 100 cats. He will stay home eating cheezy poofs and playing video games instead of going out with friends. I have forever doomed my child as a social reject.
I walked right out of the doctor's office without his baby cliff notes.
Unfortunately, it was a pop quiz and not something that we had studied for. For instance, we haven't given him small objects such as cheerios to pick up with his fingers. Maybe that is because our doctor expressly forbids giving cheerios and other small, hard objects to babies his age. Since we follow his letter to the law, I figured if I marked the check box with a yes that child services would swat team the exam room. As another example of our parental neglect, we have not been regularly taking Marin's toys away from him. "Does your baby give you a toy when you say Give That To Me", was one of the question. Uh, I don't know was my response. I've never tried taking a toy from him or asking him if I could have his toy. I don't know many 3 year olds who have grasped the concept of sharing, much less 9 month olds, so we didn't think that was a big deal.
Most people I know will be gloating at this because they will say it is because Marin isn't in daycare. Or they will diagnose his lack of social progress to the fact that he is an only child---yeah, that has to be it. He doesn't get much social stimulation at all in fact. He only goes to Preds games and hangs out with several thousand of his closest friends. He has a play date with baby Brooks at least a couple times a week. Day before yesterday, he went to Target, Wal-Mart, Kroger and Publix. He smiles and waves at strangers. He gets comments while we are out and about because of his friendly nature and good behavior. So, yeah, he just sits at home with me all day in a bubble. I am a failure as a mother, that's for certain.
After our pediatrician stated the obvious (the fact that Marin seems just fine in his social development regardless of the questionnaire and hasn't even picked up the stranger anxiety that is common at this age) I felt a bit better. After he suggested that I pick up the 12 month check list from the front desk and take it home to study it, I was downright giddy.
As I sat in the front seat on the way home, silently planning Marin's all night cram sessions, I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Marin will be at home one day in his basement and Animal Cops will show up and bust him for having 100 cats. He will stay home eating cheezy poofs and playing video games instead of going out with friends. I have forever doomed my child as a social reject.
I walked right out of the doctor's office without his baby cliff notes.
