Better

Yesterday was a MUCH better day in Robbieland.

He had his 6mo checkup at the pediatrician.

He broke 9 pounds!!

9lb .5oz, to be exact. 23 3/4 inches.

That means he gained 30oz and grew 2 inches in 28 days. I was FLOORED. Dr. P was thrilled.

He's still right on track developmentally. He's 3 1/2 months adjusted and hitting all of his 4mo milestones. The only one he wasn't doing was rolling over, but he does occasionally do it on accident. (He gets pissed off and flings his head backward and topples over.) Dr. P says that counts. She got him to do it on the table. I laughed and told her she was full of it, but hey.. who am I to argue?

He got 2 shots. I opted to split them into 2 doses since they made him so miserable last time. Other than him being a little clingy and tired most of the day, he seemed fairly unaffected, so I'm happy with that choice. He'll get the other 2 in a couple of weeks. My doctor is very amenable to an adjusted shot schedule anyway, so she didn't bat an eye.

I discussed the OTs thoughts with her and she agreed with everything except the carb thing. She said that most of the things that cause babies gas are 1) dairy (which I gave up over 4 months ago) and 2) fresh fruits and veggies. She asked if I eat a lot of apples. I said no, but i do drink a lot of juice which has a lot of apple juice in it. She doesn't think that would be it, but who knows. But she said that most babies outgrow the sensitivity to dietary stuff between 3 & 4 months, so she hopes that he'll outgrow it soon.

For her lips to God's ears.

She wants us to continue with the solids- new food trials every three days. I'm sort of delaying that. He's still not quite sure what to do with the rice cereal, and honestly, as long as I can get enough breast milk into him, I don't feel it's really necessary. I think we can take our time getting him used to the cereal and then progress to other foods in a few weeks.

The eating is hit or miss. Yesterday was a good eating day. He managed to take in 21 1/2oz (18 being his minimum goal) and we didn't have to fight about it too much until last night.

Through the night, though, it hasn't been as great. Which is unusual because usually night time is the best time. I've been waking to feed him even if he doesn't (though he usually does) just to try to sneak in as many dream feeds as I can. But he wasn't feeling that so much last night. It amazes me how he can fight a bottle w/o ever opening his eyes. He may not talk much, but he sure does communicate well. "I DON'T WANT THAT."

I'm trying not to be too upset about it since he had such a great day yesterday. Honestly, I don't SO much mind a lighter appetite. The most frustrating thing is when he's clearly hungry but still won't eat.

And I'm really not entirely convinced it's all digestive in nature. Perhaps that's what started it (a negative association with eating because it makes him uncomfortable) but I don't think that's what keeps him from latching onto a nipple directly. Even when he doesn't seem too gassy and does seem hungry, he sometimes won't eat.
And then there are times when you can feel his tummy gurgling and he'll suck a bottle down in 10 minutes.

I just don't get it.

I just keep hoping he outgrows it.

I really do hate to wish away his babyhood. I know there will be days when I miss these days (at least parts of them) but I can't help but finding myself thinking how glad I'll be when the food wars are over.


In a mostly-unrelated note, Robbie was dressed like Santa yesterday. Dr. P loved his outfit so much that she asked if she could go show him off. Of course I said yes. So she took him out to show him off to the office staff. Pictures below.


--Trish


Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!

You lookin' at me?



Will there be PRESENTS for ME?



Nummy hand!



Are you done yet?


My first food. I was very, very hungry and didn't want to sit still to be fed so Mommy had to hold me and bounce me while also trying to feed me.

On an unrelated note-I wonder why she's so tired all the time?