Popping Knee

My husband and I have noticed baby David's left knee pops fairly often when it is moved.  If our hand is resting near the knee we can actually feel the knee popping, and it doesn't seem right at all.  We mentioned this to our county worker on Friday, and she was actually able to feel the knee popping as well which concerned her.  She said her concern was that the knee was dislocated at birth because birth mom was quite aggressive during labor and delivery.  Neither our worker or ourselves have much experience with babies so young, so our worker said she would check with the public health nurse and let us know what should be done.  She was thinking we might have to take David into the emergency room to get it looked at since we don't have his medical card yet. 

Instead of taking David into the emergency room, we were asked to contact the dr. who saw David for his newborn check and see if he had noted this concern at David's appointment.  The doctor's office said everything was fine at the last visit, but we should mention it to the dr. when we bring David in for his appointment on Tuesday morning.  Since I cannot get David switched over to our doctor we generally use for our foster children without a medical card, I will have to take him a little farther to be seen by the doctor the emergency foster home was using.  I don't have any problems doing that...it really only adds about 15 minutes of drive time compared to where I usually go; however, I know the other doctor, so I feel good about using him.  I am sure the doctor I will be seeing on Tues. will be fine as well though.  Hopefully I can get David switched over to our regular doctor before his next appointment.

Also on Tuesday I will need to take David in for a paternity test.  My worker says the process is extremely fast...they just have to take a swab of David's cheek.  The birth dad has been ordered to have a paternity test done since he is not listed on the birth certificate.  Because of this, we need to complete our portion of the paternity test by having baby David tested.  So far birth dad has not called or shown up for his paternity test, but our worker will at least be able to let the judge know that everything is finished with the exception of birth dad submitting his DNA. 

There is a high possibility birth dad will not step forward for the paternity test because in the past when it has been scheduled for other children, birth dad has never come to his appointment.  Also right now they still have the two year old in their care, and they are worried about losing him, so they will most likely stay out of sight.  That is a whole other story, and a very sad one at that...let's just say I feel so bad for the toddler and what he has been subjected to in his short little lifetime.  I wish he would have been pulled at birth, so he wouldn't have experienced all the pain and craziness that is his life.  It is a complete disservice that the toddler was left in the birth family home especially after numerous referrals for the child's safety.  It makes me sick.  : (