Austin's Growth Update

So today was one of Austin's endocrinology appointments. I thought I'd share his growth chart because it is somewhat interesting. He is currently 8 1/2 years old, 3 foot 4 inches, and 38 pounds. The red line is his "expected" growth rate.

(This chart opens larger so you can get a good look at it.) You'll have to think back to when you kids were babies to read it. Inches of height on the left of the graph, years of age on the bottom. The swerve of multiple lines is the normal growth rate. Here is a little run down.

The red line is just a guess, it's following the track that he's on right now, which is at a rate of 1.5 inches every 3 months. The black dots, well below the normal growth rate, are the points at which he has been plotted over the past 3 years, that line shows his actual growth pattern.

At said rate, they guess that he will be *on the growth chart of normal children* at about 13 years old he would be about 4 1/2 feet tall (but in the 3rd percentile - meaning that only about 3% of children are as small as would be at that point).

At about 16 years old and at 5 1/2 feet tall he would be in the 25th percentile (25% of normal children would be shorter than him).

To put all of this into perspective, he should be growing at a rate close to that of Payton. Currently Payton is 10 years old and is 4 foot 7 (right at the 50th percentile for girls her age). With his "projected" growth pattern, at age 10, Austin would be but 3 foot 8 inches, a full foot shorter than his peers.

There is some hope that he could grow longer than most children because his bone age is still at about half of his actual age, but there is really no way to tell how things will go or if the IGF1 will continue to work.

Morgan stayed over last night so before she left this morning I took a few photos of her and Payton. I thought they would be a nice keepsake for them both to remember after we move.

And here is one of my beautiful little Payton. She's growing up to be a fine young lady, she makes me proud.

Christmas Morning Pics

Christmas morning was unfussy. We got up around 8:30 AM and got down to business. This is a photo heavy post, so be warned.

This is the happiest I've ever seen Austin coming down the stairs. I'm pretty sure he had seen his new bike sitting beside the tree.

Every boy needs a new bike for Christmas, even if it's the same size as his last one, just a tad bit cooler.

I think this was Austin's favorite gift. Of course it was from his Papa. After each and just about every present he'd say, "just what I always wanted...". Hilarious!

He also got a guitar, which he is teaching himself to play. Hopefully I'll have videos of that to share soon.

Present unwrapping frenzy!

One of Payton's favorite gifts, of course, from her Papa. A cool little stereo dock for the I pod she doesn't have.

I guess even little Payton needed a new digital camera for Christmas.

Who can get theirs open first?

You know, the good little presents always come wrapped inside another wrapped box. At least this is my experience (also usually weighted down with some rocks - thanks dad).

It must be good for an expression like that!

The #1 item on her list, a new I pod, it's 120 gig and Gregg and I are both jealous.

Austin also got a new MP3 player for Christmas, though his a hand-me-down from Payton.

She took very good care of her first one, that is why the upgrade was warranted. She first got this one when she was 5.

Oh to be a kid in 2008!