Doctor's Visit

Wednesday morning we went to Maelyn’s first pediatrician appointment. I had been searching for a pediatrician who was experienced in dealing with internationally adopted children and I turned to my wonderful and experienced friends for advice. AM recommended the doctor’s office where she brings Julia and I gave them a call. It turns out that the doctor we now have for Maelyn used to be MY pediatrician when I was younger!


We were more than happy to head out in the morning as it meant we would be escaping the heat in the house. Maelyn did quite well on the drive over, only starting to whine to get out of her car seat after about forty-five minutes and when we were very close to getting there.

Once we arrived, Maelyn was a little fussy, but she was tired and I was trying to keep her awake. She was people-watching, of course – a lot of kids to observe that day! We tried to do our best to take pictures of her first doctor’s visit, but once she got upset, that plan went out the window.

Waiting for the doctor in the room....listening to the crying in the other room!

The doctor took her basic information, weighed her, measured her height, etc. We were instructed to allow her to continue to eat on demand, as she is still quite underweight. He confirmed that we should be switching Maelyn over to Homogenized milk, at least three times a day. He also confirmed that we will be receiving a lot of information about her palate surgery, nose repair, and lip repair at our appointment at Toronto Sick Kids Hospital on the nineteenth of this month.

At the end of the appointment, Maelyn was given two vaccines. She has to start right at the beginning, so we will be returning to her pediatrician’s office monthly for the first year. Let’s just say that Maelyn loves the whole needle experience just about as much as her Mama!

After the appointment we went back to my Mom’s for lunch and then Maelyn went down for a nap – on the floor! This kid loves to move and turn while she sleeps, so the floor is safest place! When she woke up from her nap she was crying – a lot – and pulling at her arm. I gave her some Motrin and that helped to settle her down. I knew we were in for it, as she quickly developed a fever.

We had a bit of a long night as she wasn’t feeling very well and it was HOT. The next morning she still had a fever so I gave her some Motrin again and she slept on and off all morning. Maelyn made a nest for herself on the floor -- in our beds we had on the living room floor. We have been sleeping on the main floor to avoid the heat. It was really cute! She must have been tired, as she slept through the installation of our air conditioner, which was really loud!

In the afternoon, once the cool air started flowing through the house, Maelyn woke up with no fever. It had broken! She was very quickly back to herself and we enjoyed an afternoon of playing together and the comfort of an air conditioned house. :)