2.5 Year Update

The twins went for their 2.5 year checkup last week. Based on our previous terror-filled interactions at the doctor (mostly with Miss V), we decided that we needed a new approach to the dreaded doctor's office.

Early that morning, we started talking about going to the doctor. At first, Gavin was okay with it ("Okay, Mom.") and Vivian was not ("No, Mom. No doctor!"). But then we told them everything that we were going to do at the doctor and made a big deal about it ("When we go in the back, you get to get naked! Yep, you get to take ALL of your clothes off!"-- they lurve being naked). This seemed to get Vivian more interested in the experience. We talked about all kinds of stuff related to the doctor's visit all morning. And then, we pulled out the big guns- "And, if you're good at the doctor, you'll get a prize when we leave." Their eyes lit up. 

Gavin yelled, "I be big boy, Mom." And then Vivi chimed in, "Yeah, Mom, I nice."

We kept talking about how much fun we were going to have at the doctor for the rest of the morning, making sure that we included all of the steps that needed to be taken and the potential prize they were going to receive at the end.

It. Worked.

We got to the doctor and both kids were happy and calm (Side note: for some of you, this is your norm, but for us, it's not. Far form it. Vivian usually screams her f-ing head off the ENTIRE time we are at the doctor, taking a break for only a few minutes here are there.)

We went in the back, they each took their clothes off and stood on the scale unassisted. And when the doctor came in, they both let her do everything that she needed to do. It was amazing. Wes and I both felt like we were in the twilight zone.

At the end of the doctor's appointment, they had to get their flu shots. Unfortunately, this did not go over so well. It wasn't in the plan we had talked about all morning and shots f-ing hurt. They both screamed for a while after that. But, we couldn't blame 'em. We left the doctor's office, walked over to the 7-11, and let them each pick out one prize. They each chose a small bag of sour cream, cheddar chips. Whatever. They each gobbled up their chips and passed out when we got home.

During the visit, we learned a few things about their growth and development. Both kids are right above or right below the 50th percentile for everything (their height, weight, and head circumference). Gavin weighed in at 30lbs exactly and Viv was 27lbs 5oz. Gavin was a 1/2 inch taller than Viv (sorry, but I don't remember the exact numbers). And, Gavin's head was about an inch bigger than Viv's.

At our doctor, we have to fill out this development form since their 18-month check up. There are a lot of questions (all of which are answered with a simple YES or NO) about all kinds of motor and language skills. At 18 months, most of the questions were answered with a big fat NO. Then at 2 years, they give you the same form and you are supposed to go back to each NO and see if it's become a YES. We switched several over to a YES at their 2-year appointment. But this time, when we went back over the list, we switched almost all of them over to a YES for Viv and ALL but three over to a YES for Gavin. It was interesting because we didn't think they could do most of it and they totally surprised us.

For instance, one of the items told us to ask our child 3 questions and to write down their responses. Viv answered like this:

• What do you do when you are tired? Color
• What do you do when you are hungry? Color
• What do you do when you are cold? Color

But, Mr. Gavin answered like this:

• What do you do when you are tired? Lay down and take nap
• What do you do when you are hungry? Sit down and eat snack
• What do you do when you are cold? Go inside or jacket

Wes and I were totally shocked. Now, Viv does have coloring on the brain most of the day, so maybe she was just hoping that she would get to color if she responded that way. But Gavin, what the hell? The sheet only expected kids to answered with 1 or 2 words and Gavin, well, you can read.

So what did Gavin miss? Well, he couldn't jump over the piece of paper when we put it on the floor, he couldn't make a fist and stick up only his thumb while wiggling it, and he couldn't copy the drawings (a straight line and a circle) provided on the sheet (Miss V could do all three of these things). 

While we learned that we need to practice a few more things with both of them, we also learned the promising prizes for good behavior is a must at the doctor.