stella had her 18 month well visit today. at out last appointment, the dr told us if she wasn't walking by her 18 month appt she would refer us to a physical therapist. we both (michael and i) had mixed emotions about this, but we really thought she would be walking right now so weren't too worried about it. well, she isn't walking. at least not on her own. at her last appt she wasn't even pulling up on things. since that last appointment, she is pulling up + walking along furniture and the walls + standing up on her own + walking holding only one of our hands (for short distances). we have been working really hard with her and encouraging her constantly. we feel like she has made AMAZING progress just in the last couple of months. the dr today was not all that impressed.
at our very first appt with her we explained that when she first came she had NO leg muscle development and she was right a one year old. we were putting her in a johnny jumper (the one that hangs in the doorway) for at least 30 minutes every day. before too long she was jumping like a pro! obviously she has outgrown that thing now, but it gave us what we needed at the time! she seemed concerned then about the fact that she wasn't pulling up yet, but we explained that she is not an American baby and should not necessarily be compared.
obviously, compared to American babies she is behind. but the fact remains that for the first year of her life, she wasn't here. she was carried and held and loved on constantly and i would not change for anything in the world the fact that she was so loved for that year she could not be with us.
now, the dr is telling us we have one more month. then, if she isn't walking, we have to see a physical therapist. i actually couldn't go to her appt today, michael went. i'm just wondering how much (if any) experience she has with internationally adopted children. now, i'm not against seeing a physical therapist. we just haven't seen ONE SINGLE INDICATION that something is wrong. and BELIEVE ME, we have been watching. we honestly think she just doesnt' want to. she scoots around on her behind and gets around SUPER FAST, so why walk when it takes her twice as long to get anywhere . . . that's what we think.
my quesion is whether or not we should be concerned. have any other adoptive parents out there in blog world had issues or experience with this? i know there are a TON of blogs out there that i read regularly, but don't usually comment, so those of you that DO read my blog . . . please forward to anyone you may be able to send me thoughts . . . i would love to hear from someone who's been through this!!!
i'm thinking of doing a little research for another dr, but it's not as if we live in a big metropolis, so the pickins are a little slim . . .
5 comments:
I got your email today and I will email you. (You got my info from LFCS).
Cindy
Fellow adoptive Mommy :)
It sounds like she's doing great! I was wondering the same thing....I know your Dr. is concerned, but how much have they dealt with children not born in this country? I think you guys are doing a wonderful job and you will know if and when she might need extra help. Just my opinion...Mostly just wanted to say hi and I love the pictures too. She's adorable!
-erin gerhardt
It sounds to me like she is really developing and growing. I think the dr is probably just being overly sensitive to his own developmental charts rather than taking into account the adoption.
Shiloh wasn't very motivated to walk either. She took her first steps and then couldn't seem to be bothered to try much after that. Crawling was much faster. Then my bro-in-law gave her one of those push toys and she LOVED it! It allowed her to walk around on her own and gain strength and control while still having some support. I really think that is what gave her the final push to start walking.
Nat, I would not be concerned. She is doing things that are starting to show signs that she wants to start walking.... pulling herself up and walking along furniture. Just be patient, it will happen. I think the Dr's have to suggest that since she is born Internationally and they always seem to think the babies should all be on track. I would just wait .. She will walk. No need to be concerned.. Courtney
I think it sounds like she has made so much progress since you brought her home! I think she just needs a little more time and she will be walking. I think push toys are great for encouraging walking.
I'm not sure how big Stella is, but our doctor told me that often when babies are a little smaller in stature they walk later. He said smaller babies are so efficient at getting around with crawling and scooting that they don't feel the need to walk.
I'm sure that in a few weeks we'll be reading a post about walking!
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