Day 74 and The Doctor Visit

Today is day 74 of our LOA wait and we haven't received any word.  I know that it must be around the corner, more than likely next week.  Because of the lateness of receiving the LOA our TA won't come until the end of September and we won't travel until the end of October, beginning of November.  I know it is much later than we had wanted but we also realize that it is out of our hands.  So we continue to wait.....

On another note, today Grace and Sarah had a well visit with the pediatrician.  I just LOVE our pediatrician.  The girls have been going to see her since Sarah was 4 years old, she is very caring, trusting, but very firm but most of all she is extremely proactive with Grace's asthma.  We like that as we know that many attacks have been averted because of the decisions that we've all made.

On Monday I reminded the girls that we were going to see Dr. McGee and the dreaded "shots" question came up.  When I told Grace that she would probably need a shot she immediately broke into tears.  She just hates shots!  

When Grace first came home from China she was so sick and we immediately had to take her to the doctor who sent us to the hospital for blood work and a chest x-ray (Grace had pneumonia). It was such an unsettling experience and so traumatic for Grace.  While she was being held down so blood could be drawn Grace was looking at me and screaming, MOMMA at the top of her lungs.  I'll tell you it took every ounce of strength I had not to gather Grace up and just wrap my arms around her.  Instead, I had to accept standing close, stroking her face and telling her that Momma was here and that I loved her.

Now, all of these years and many shots later, we STILL have to hold Grace down and she still screams (not always for Momma) when she knows she is getting a shot.  Today was no exception.  When Dr. McGee walked into the room she said to Grace, "I have good news, only one shot!"   Grace immediately burst into a screaming fit.  Poor Dr. McGee thought she would have a happy child!  Giving the actual shot was a total nightmare.  Two nurses came in expecting to give Grace and Sarah a shot simultaneously--not happening!  Sarah got her shot, no problems.  Grace however, began screaming and I mean screaming as soon as the nurses entered the room.  I tried to hold her but she flung herself around so much that she got off the table, onto the floor and ran to the door where she tried to hide next to the sink.  She did allow me to pick her up but as soon as she realized I was taking her back to the exam table she began to kick and scream harder.  Finally, with 3 of us holding her down the nurse was able to give Grace her shot.  The screaming stopped almost as quickly as it started.  Only a few tears remained but LOTS of anger at the doctor was apparent!

The rest of the visit was great.....The girls were weighed and measured...Sarah weighs 55lbs and is 50 inches tall (I am only 58 1/2 inches).  Dr McGee said that Sarah is now in the highest percentile for her height she has been in since she was 2 years old---the 21st percentile!  Her weight on the other hand is just in the 10th percentile.  Needless to say Sarah is going to be petite!

Grace is now above the 50th percentile in both height, 45 1/2 inches and in weight, 44 pounds.  Needless to say Grace is going to be a true Zhejiang girl--beautiful and tall!

We know that Dr. McGee will do her best for Matthew as she already indicated the doctor we should take him to at Scottish Rite for his skin condition.  She also indicated that she was going to "do her research" so she would be ready for him!  We are so lucky to have her!