12 month well baby? visit for the Natty

We just got back from Natalie's well visit and it went well. I forgot how long well visits are..we were there for 2 hours! lol
Dr. F is awesome. I don't know if I mentioned this before but Dr. S is gone now..she left about a year ago due to maternity leave and then once she went back to work she started her own practice and it's too far for us. But we lucked out because Dr. F is great. She has seen both of the kids on different occasions and she's so thorough. And she understands everything about Natalie's heart and everything. She has a very positive demeanor. Hard to find with doctors I think.
So anyways! Natalie was upset the whole time but ya know, as soon as we walk into the office she knows where she is. Poor thing. She gets so nervous and upset. It breaks my heart a little. (okay a lot).
Natalie is doing great. With percentiles for your viewing pleasure..lol ..She is 23.3 lbs (75%tile), 30 3/4 inches tall (90%tile), and her head is huge as always (we have big domes in this family especially mine).. 49 huge cm at over 100%. Dr. F did mention that if she sees her head measurements skew off in any way going up and not with her curves she'll have to get a CT scan. But, even she said it's probably a big head family thing and if she did have to get the scan it'll prove that. We're not really nervous about it..only nervous about keeping her calm during the possible scan. lol And right now it's a small possibility.
She had 3 shots today and the new nurse they have there did GREAT. She is SO fast. And any other mothers reading this know the importance of fast shots. Natalie cried ..well..screamed during the shots and cried only a little after. She is such a trooper that kid.
Okay..now here is the more in depth part of her visit. (I think Ricky and I knew that this would be mentioned). Big question- Is she walking? No. Is she crawling? No. Is she trying to do either? No. But! Natalie is still considered a special circumstance because of her surgery but as the doctor put it now is around the time where normally she would start to catch up. And she's not. We're concerned but not worried. This is what we know about Natalie- she is very determined to be "babied". She doesn't seem to crave a lot of independence which could mean nothing but could mean something. A lot of what Natalie is going through seems to be mental. She is very cautious to make the next step forward and we, as her parents, don't know how far to push her to crawl or walk (or both). We put her on her tummy and she'll play there. We play games with her..actually she's been spending a lot of time playing on the floor or in her walker. And the walker- we have to get rid of it now. :( Dr. F is very adamant about it because at her age and with not giving her that crutch we could see some good changes. I totally agree and so does Ricky.
I look back often on how James reached all of those physical milestones ..and he seemed to just ..do it. LOL It sounds so silly..but we gave him the opportunity to do them. We would lay the huge soft blankets on the floor..spread his toys out for him to reach..well, tempting him anyway..and he went from rolling around to pulling himself up to sit on his own, to crawling, then to standing and walking. Everything seemed to easy. A given.
With Natalie we sense her hesitance and we know deep down nothing is actually wrong with her. But it's giving her gentle pushes, saying "it's okay", and getting her to achieve these great milestones. When she's in her walker she is so happy. Oh she is so happy. I can't wait to see her happy and getting around on her own..even getting into everything. I crave it. lol
So, beginning sometime soon, she'll be enrolled into our county's early intervention program. I have to call them Monday and schedule it. And they even come to our home to meet with Natalie! It sounds so stupid, but I never expected that. I did expect that we would get to this type of care, but it's all for the better. Someone will be able to help Natalie and help us ..to help her, also. The referral for the care mentions her heart condition so that's nice.
We're actually very excited that she'll be getting some extra help.
Yay Natalie!!!! We love you so darn much kiddo.