Today I had to take Jimmy to the doctor. We were going for his 3 year old check up. Yes we were almost 6 months late but my ped won't do them when the kiddo is sick so we had to keep rescheduling.
So today was the day, Jimmy and I arrived at the doctors and he held my hand and walked into the building (milestone 1 of the day).
He walked down the hall and into the elevator (milestone 2 of the day). We got in the elevator and I showed him how to push the button. We went up and he walked off the elevator down the hallway and into the doctors office (milestone 3 of the day) This was all without throwing himself on the floor or a tantrum.
We waited for our appointment and J sat and played his iPad. We waited for the doctor in our examination room and he let me take his clothing off and we waited and he played. We had no problem until the ped looked in his ears. Melt down time. Then I gave him back the iPad and he played and had his booster shot.
We then got dressed and sat to talk to the dr and J played his iPad and sat fairly quietly.
You have to understand when I go to these appointments and I see typical children it really strikes me how different J is and makes me sad that he doesn't do typical things. It worries and scares me. It probably didn't help that I watched a PBS news series on Autism. I really try not to get wrapped up in these things.
So the doctor actually told me today that he sees quite a bit of progress in Js behavior and it is amazing how well he is sitting now. I told him about taking him to the developmental pediatrician in July and he said that was a good idea. We have to go back in 6 months because he wants to monitor his weight a bit since he is at the high end of his range for height. He also wants an update about the developmental pediatrician and our ENT.
the one thing he said to me today that is sitting with me is that progress even small progress has to be celebrated because it means he is moving forward and that is a big thing. I have to stop dwelling on what J can't do and celebrate what he can do no matter how small.
So that is what I am going to try and do. One of my dearest friends today told me that she was so happy when I tweeted that J learned to clap his hands and she loves hearing his progress. I have to remember I have so many people praying and supporting us and I need to lean into that support and let it surround us.
So I am celebrating the small things today that J walked with me today and he showed everyone how well he uses the iPad to play.