October 21, 2010

French Fries

Austin's 2 year well visit was this afternoon.  I scheduled it 6 months ago (after our last well visit) at a time that suited....6 months ago.  Today it just happened to be pretty inconvenient.  Austin usually naps from 12-3, his appointment was at 2:30, which meant we had to leave around 2, meaning I'd have to wake him from his nap over an hour early.

On this such day, however, he refused to eat lunch before his nap and didn't even get to sleep until after 12:30.  I ran upstairs at 2 and quickly got him changed and ready, we were out of the house by 2:15.  Darn it...I needed him to be happy and well-behaved for this visit and not only was he missing a large chunk of his nap, but he was probably starving too!  Of course, due to his irritableness from being woken up, he wouldn't touch the healthy snacks I packed to take with us, so to prevent possible doctor's office meltdown, I caved and swung by McDonalds for a small fry for Austin and a large diet coke for myself!

He was not his usual perky self, but was in a decent mood considering the circumstances.  He got weighed and measured and we went to sit in our little room and wait on the doctor.  It was at that time I pulled out the fries I had been hiding in the diaper bag (not that the greasy potato smell wasn't giving it away to anyone within a few feet of us).  The last thing I wanted to do, however, was to have the people who judge me as a parent based on the health of my child see me feeding him french fries!

I listened out for the sounds of our doctors voice and quickly handed Austin a fry one at a time.  He got down about a half dozen before I heard the door opening and our doctor come in.  Austin cooperated for the exam and checked out great, but when the doctor and I turned our attention to one another to have a conversation, Austin made his way for the diaper bag, trying to get a french fry.

Ok, I know what you're thinking, not a big deal, every parent gives their child fries at some point and doctors know that...but its what we were talking about that made this certain instance a big deal.  Our doctor noticed that on Austin's growth charts, his weight has been in the 90th %tile since he was born, but his height just recently went from the 91st %tile down to the 68th.  He was explaining to me that having a baby in the 90th %tiles for both height and weight is no big deal, but when the weight remains high when the height tapers off, you need to start paying closer attention to nutrition and portion sizes.  He said to switch to skim milk, no more than 4-6 oz. of juice and to watch the starches and limit junk food.  At that exact moment, Austin finally got into the diaper bag I had been juggling out of his reach for the past 10 minutes and pulled out a fist full of greasy french fries.

I ALMOST DIED.

I tried explaining that we hardly ever eat fast food and certainly don't let Austin eat it but maybe once a month.  I told him about how I had to wake him for his appointment and we had skipped lunch and I was worried because he hadn't had anything since breakfast and it was mid-afternoon....but I could see the way he was looking at me and I'm pretty sure he didn't exactly believe me and I felt judged and like a bad mom and it sucked.

To end this fabulous visit, Austin got 4 shots.  At least we are done with those until kindergarten...

We left the doctor's office, it was 3:30 and Austin still hadn't eaten but those few french fries.  We stopped back by McDonalds on the way home.  I know, I know....but after a stressful visit and 4 shots, my little boy deserved a fun lupper (lunch & supper) date with his mommy!  Besides, as the person who spends 24 hours a day with him, I know that he eats healthy 90% of the time, no matter what our doctor now thinks.  I also know that he has maintained the same weight for the past several months now and his height has just plateaued recently.  I fully expect a growth spurt any time now.  By the way, with that cute little noggin still measuring in the 99th %tile, its gotta account for some of the extra weight!

And in case you were wondering, Austin had had half a hamburger, apple slices and milk, and then probably burned about half of that off playing.


Now really, does that look like the bod of a kid who eats too much junk food to you??

3 comments:

Kathy said...

I hate the judging, too! It's just awful! Try being THAT mom, who, in all her 8 month pregnant glory, takes her son to burger king so they can BOTH eat a burger :).

But, judging aside, I'm SO JEALOUS of Austin's THREE HOUR NAPS!!!! HOLY MOLY! We're lucky to get over the one hour and 15 minute mark! Oh, and no, he doesn't sleep more than 11 hours each night (especially when he wakes up at night) AND he's one of the busiest toddlers ever born! We spend a minimum of 4 hours a day running outside... I AM TOTALLY JEALOUS! One would THINK he would need more than 12 hours of sleep each day!

Keri said...

This is definitely one of my favorite posts. So funny and could happen to anyone! :)

The Bridges said...

Puh lease!!!!!!! You take him to McDonalds whenever you feel like it!! We grew up on chicken finger diets and did just fine!

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