Failure to Thrive

The dreaded words. As a parent you don't want to hear the word failure associated with your child. Their failure is your failure and that is how I feel. Like a failure.

All Marianna's doctors have shown some concern about her short stature but up until recently they have all come to the conclusion that behind the numbers and charts is a bright child, who eats well and seems healthy so there is no reason to worry.

I have always believed that she is just small. It has been my mantra since the day she was born. Although always under the weight and height charts she has been growing, steadily and consistently at her own rate. This all changed after her 2nd birthday. At her 2 1/2 year check up we were shocked at hear she had only gained a few ounces in 6 months! It seemed impossible.

So the tests have begun. Gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, stool tests, blood work, physical exams. It seems like a never ending search with no answers. The whole time my sweet baby sits there with a brave face and allows them to prick and probe her. I just want to yell STOP!

But every time I decide this is the last test those words echo in my head: failure to thrive.

I don't want her to fail. I just want her to thrive.