One step forward... two steps back

      Doctor appointments are always the same. Butterflies the morning of, prayers in the parking lot in my car, the long walk down the hall to the pediatrics, Masons name being hollered in the lobby and lots of questions. The other day was an odd day Masons usual nurse wasn't with us. When that happens its like starting over to square one. She checks his height and weight and says " are you concerned with his growth at all?" I then have to inform her "No he was born with Down syndrome." Then it gets quiet till we get to the room. She then starts asking me...
Can Mason do the following?
Stand alone?
walk?
drink from a cup?
marks on a paper with a crayon?
walks backward?
"preforms" for an audience?
hands a toy or object to a parent?
say 3-6 words?
point to body parts when named off?
It never fails how emotional those questions can get,knots in my throat and a little taste of reality. As Mike and I are thrilled he is crawling, feeding himself, sits alone it doesn't seem to matter in the pediatric clinic. I asked the nurse if those questions are reasonable to be asking for a child with delays? She told me it was standard. Then the room once again was silent. She then pulled up the growth chart of all kids that were born the same day as Mason and his growth wasn't on the chart. He is much smaller then the "average" Again I feel as if it is a waste of time. I told her there are charts for kids with Down syndrome and I don't understand why we cant look at those charts. She said "they don't have Down Syndrome charts in their computer"
      Masons sweet doctor then comes in the room with the nurse. The nurse was holding 2 sheets of paper and the doctor said "Show Mrs. Killion" I grab the papers and Masons doctor said "He is a CHUNK" The papers I was looking at was the charts for kids born with Down Syndrome. Mason is in the 99% for weight and 27th% for height. Mason weighs 20 lbs 1oz and is 27.5in.
       I smiled. I felt a little bad for being rude to the nurse but I also felt being asked those questions and looking at charts that don't pertain to Mason seemed pointless and unnecessary. After a long appointment Mason's doctor informed us he is moving to New York and going to be a civilian doctor. He will be greatly missed for many reasons.