No, they made me pay for mine and for 1/2 of New Hire's lunch.

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Susan, I'm going to go against the tide and say that if you're worried about language development, getting her tested early is a good thing. Language issues are one of the areas that can be helped tremendously by early intervention, so there's no bad here.

That's not against my tide. I just think a discussion with the father and pediatrician is probably better placed before the phone call to the number on the mailer. Early intervention is key if there is an issue with Annabel's speech aquisition, and getting a firm, "No, this is well within the bounds of healthy development" is key to a parent's piece of mind.

Cindy, I'm glad you found my comments kind...I've been working hard on staying "on message" lately so wondered if I was being polemical or something instead of trying to be caring. And I really don't know that much about little kids. But I do know what self-flagellation feels like, so I felt bad, you know...

I really did. It was kind, because it was so healthy. If Annabel needs therapy for this or anything else, Susan and Dylan need to come to terms with it. If not, they need to breathe. Annabel is still worth celebrating, regardless. That's what I liked when Deena told us about Aidan's pediatrician's reaction to his assessment: Let's concentrate on his strengths.

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That still sucks. I would take it up with BigBoss.

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Sparky, that's wrong. You don't ask a subordinate out to lunch and then make her pay; either it's so cheap that the price doesn't matter to you, or it's too expensive to expect her to pick up.

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Sparky, that's seriously wrong and just plain lame.

That's what I liked when Deena told us about Aidan's pediatrician's reaction to his assessment: Let's concentrate on his strengths.

Of course, I don't think his ped was expecting them to be World Domination, but still...

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flies off, cape flapping in the breeze

NO CAPES!

t / The Incredibles

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I would take it up with BigBoss.

I wrote Mid-Boss back an email that said I was under the impression that since the lunch was at the prompting of Big-Boss, it would be paid for by Big-Boss. Ball is in Mid-Boss' court. She can go either go to Big Boss and ask for the money, ask me again, or eat it.

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Jilli, Plei, Susan, (and possibly Sparky or any other Seattleistas)...

I have a friend who has only been in Seattle a couple of years, and is in need of a good doctor, probably an orthopedic surgeon, or possibly an osteopath. Can you recommend anyone, or ask around to friends/family, and see if they can?

She's been having trouble with her elbow for about a month. Her whole arm just throbs in pain all the time. She thought at first she'd try an osteo, because most of her complaints are generally muscular/skeletal stuff. She went to one, but had a bad experience.

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Sparky's in the Bay Area. She just visits us sometimes.

I have no clue. Growing up, I was with Group Health, and it's all a pool. Now, I still need to find a PCP. I don't think anyone I know has used one.

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Okay, thanks anyhow, Plei. Is your mom in your area? I know she's a nurse. Maybe she might know.

Sorry for misplacing you, Sparky.

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