Two shots, one lead test, and many tears later, Sidney completed her first well baby check up. Today’s visit consisted of completing her immunizations and taking a lead test. Her pediatrician was pleased about her immunizations, saying they were almost all current.

Before and after being poked and prodded, Eli and Sidney were troopers completing back to school shopping. We headed to Shoe Carnival where mom made a grand entrance by doing a graceful landing on the slippery floor, holding Sidney and sliding across the tile. My landing should have received a 10 when I landed with one leg tucked under and the other flung out the side. As I clamored to my feet, I quickly looked around to find nobody was looking. My mother and I have a continuous dialog about our klutziness, and today was no exception. High on sugar after two servings of Jello, Eli was best able to capture the moment after supper.

As we scooted around the mall, in a thoroughly mom wet wiped race car cart, Eli and Sidney created their own fun. Eli’s enthusiasm for anything on wheels helped to make the experience fun for Sidney. I was again reminded of how Sidney’s world has gotten so much larger. Not only was she curious about the rain falling from the sky this morning, elevators, clothing, shoes, lights, and basically anything which stimulates her senses did not go by without a “what’s that?”

Again, we will have more information next week after visiting the pediatric orthopedist. Her right hand seems fairly straightforward. Webbing or Syndactlyly is between her two fingers. It simply looks like two fingers sitting side by side. The need for surgery is for function of the three existing fingers on her hand, as well as prevention. If we leave her fingers fused together, they will become deformed into adulthood. We are most interested in the left hand. Her left hand also has three fingers, and the middle finger appears to have different bones inside. From the back it appears a bit crooked.

That being said, it is hard for us to remember she has an anomaly on her hands and foot. She functions developmentally ahead of a 15 ½ month old child. As always, I am humbled by her spirit. Her smile is contagious, and she is finally, literally, finding a place to rest her head.