Last week, Miss Olivia had her 12-month check up at the doctor.  I was a bit nervous about this appointment for two reasons.  One, because Avery was also getting shots for kindergarten, and she is our drama queen.  And two, I knew that Olivia was behind on her gross motor skills,  and I was in a bit of denial.  Since Olivia just started crawling two weeks ago, and she cannot roll from her back to her belly or bare weight on her legs, she has been referred to First Steps, Indiana's early intervention program. 

In all honesty, I have mixed feelings about this.  With Mia, I knew we wanted to be super proactive because she was so premature and has Dandy Walker.  But with Olivia I was willing to just let her be.  I knew she was behind, but I also know that each child has their own set of rules, outside of the medical world's charts and progress reports.  Even so, I once again found myself calling First Steps this week for an evaluation of yet another little one.  Having gone through this process before, I feel like I know the ropes and already know what therapist I want if she is approved.  Our PT we had with Mia was amazing, and a great friend, and I am hoping she will have room for little Livie in her schedule.  I suppose this is a blessing in disguise, as I have missed our PTs weekly visits and friendship.  I am thankful that we live in state that has such a wonderful program for our little ones. 

Olivia does weigh a whooping 18 lbs. 3 oz, putting her in the 9th percentile.  Still a little squirt, but nothing of great concern.  And she is into everything.  And by everything, I mean EVERYTHING.  She is crawling everywhere and gets faster and faster each day.  We have never baby-proofed our house because when we moved in, Avery was past that stage and Mia never had this stage.  We are in for a wild ride with this one.  As a matter of fact, as I type she has tipped over the trash can here in the office and is tasting each piece of crumpled up paper.  (No worries, the trash can in the office is ALL paper!).  She does understand the word "no" now, but she just looks at you, gets a smirk on her face, and goes right back at it.  I am exhausted already thinking about all the chasing I do each day.



And by the way, Avery did awesome with her shots.  I promised her a "surprise" if she didn't have any drama.  Yes, I am not outside of bribery in situations like this!  She picked out some new nail polish afterwords.  Bright neon blue for her toenails.  That girl has spunk!