Pediatrician visit!

We all went to the pediatrician yesterday. The appointment was for 10:00 am but they needed us there at 9:30 for paperwork, and Matt said when he scheduled it the receptionist was skeptical we'd be able to make it on time, so I was determined we would.

I definitely cut it close, but when at 6:15 yesterday morning I hadn't slept yet, my determination changed and I decided that it was more important for me to get an hour or two than to be absolutely sure of making it to the office by 9:30 to fill out two forms. I bravely told Matt to wake me up at 8:00 so I could shower, feed Kalina and eat breakfast in time to rocket out the door at 9:25. I knew it was futile, but I also knew that if everything worked perfectly, we could make it. Baby's eating sessions are relatively fast, for one, as are my showers nowadays.

I woke up at 7:45 and, since Baby was sleeping (having, in fact, just fallen asleep 15 minutes prior, according to Matt), wolfed down a large bowl of cereal. She was still sleeping when I finished so I dampened myself in the shower and even washed my hair and dried it. Things were going great. I had just enough time to feed her and, in fact, rocket out the door at 9:25 as planned (never mind I woke up 15 minutes early).

But Baby was happy sleeping and didn't really feel like eating. Okay, then, Baby, you're getting your diaper changed and your onesie changed. Not liking this turn of events, Kalina screamed that she wouldn't mind eating after all, in fact, anything's better than a diaper change. Yet midway through eating, she decided to soil it again. If you hate diaper changes, Baby, why do you keep getting them dirty? Or is it just clean diapers you hate?

We finally left for the appointment at 9:45 and arrived late. *sigh* The receptionist kindly gave us a gentle hard time. Fortunately, the office wasn't busy at all and we didn't have to wait long. The forms, by the way, took all of 10 minutes.

The doctor was great. Matt bonded with him over science stuff and I was pleased to hear he spent his college years in Iowa. Together, we trash-talked the anti-vaccine crowd (even though secretly I have some doubts, because I can't help but worry).

First, we weighed Kalina. Something must be going well, because she was back up to her discharge weight of 5 lbs. 11 oz. We were told we could probably stop waking her for nighttime feedings sometime next week. Now, someone just needs to tell Baby she can stop waking us for nighttime feedings.

A side note: is it evil of me to want o stop feeding her altogether because she's just so tiny and cute and I don't want her to change?

Then the doctor examined her and asked us questions. What's her disposition when she's awake? Intelligent, sweet and a bit eccentric. Does she like to eat? Of course, she's my child.

He listened to her heart and lungs with a stethoscope he must've just taken out of the freezer, the way Kalina screamed. He also looked in her eyes and checked her umbilical cord stump. He said her complexion was excellent. Truthfully, it seemed that there wasn't much to evaluate at this point--they probably were looking at us as parents more than her as our baby. Nevertheless, I was thrilled to be told that she's perfect. I really do think doctors know parents like hearing that word.

The best part was that everyone at the office said she's beautiful. I have to agree. Not that I could possibly look at her objectively, but I really do think there's no doubt she's adorable, and I like to be told that at every opportunity. I would imagine it does something for her psyche as well.

We go back on Monday, hopefully for more of the same. We scheduled this one in the afternoon.