Weight Check - Chase 9 months

Chaser had his 9 month appointment today. Addison also had her 3 year appointment (a little early, but there's nothing like killing two birds with one stone when you're a busy momma), which will be discussed in a post of it's own a little later.

Chase is doing wonderfully and measured 22lb. 8 oz (75%) and 30 3/4 inches (95%). I kind of thought he would weigh a few more ounces, but he has started crawling (mostly army crawling, though he does get up on hands and knees a lot) so this is probably the start to his weight gain slowing.

The only vaccination he got was the flu booster, which he did great with, other than a few short seconds of crying.

He has what is called an oral frenulum (the skin that connects the lip to the gums inside his upper lip is kind of low and tight) that shouldn't cause discomfort or be an issue other than possibly cause his two front teeth to gap. You can't see it unless you pull his lip up, which I was doing when checking out the status of his teeth when I noticed that it looked a little unusual. It will probably loosen and shift upwards as he starts to get teeth, so no worries.

There is no evidence of his torticollis, other than a slightly flat head which is hopefully still going to round out some.

The doctor gave me the go ahead to feed him whatever I feel like he can manage, with the exception of honey, which is a big no-no until he is at least a year (botulism). Other than that, he looked good and strong and we have no concerns about our precious little boy!

I think that's about it!

This little piggy...

...gained 15 ounces in 11 days (exceeding the average 1 ounce per day weight gain for an infant his age). At 3 weeks old, Chase weighs 6lb. 12oz. Big boy!!

I was really nervous for today and am soooo happy and relieved that he has gained such a nice amount of weight. I am really proud of myself as this weight gain was achieved from nursing only on one side (because that's all I physically have). As if breastfeeding isn't challenging enough! I am really enjoying the experience and hope I can keep it up.

Everything else at his appointment checked out wonderfully. We will go back at 2 months and though I am very much looking forward to spring, I really want to freeze time right now. My babies are both growing too quickly!



That picture was taken a few days ago at bedtime, which is a concept I am not quite sure he understood as he was wide awake. He was watching me brush my teeth and probably laughing inside knowing that he wouldn't be closing his eyes anytime soon.

First pediatrician appointment and more

Chase had his first visit with our pediatrician the day after we came home. He checked out great. Dr. B. was a little concerned about his color and wanted one more bilirubin test to rule out jaundice. He was poked for about the 15th or 20th time, which he wasn't happy about. Fortunately, his bilirubins were low, which is consistent with how he tested at the hospital, so no futher interventions were necessary.

Later that day, we received the results for his newborn screen and something came back abnormal. So, back to Children's Close to Home we were the next day for another blood draw. We do not yet have those results, but Dr. B. is pretty certain that the abnormality is a fluke due to his prematurity. He said that 99% of the time, subsequent tests come back just fine, so I am trying not to worry.

Chase did not like to be weighed. He really doesn't like to be naked. He weighed 5lb. 8oz., which is what he weighed when we left the hospital.


Below are some other cute pictures from the day.

2 year checkup

Has anyone seen my brain? I think I left it somewhere between weeks 13 and 26. :)

Addison had her 2 year well-check a couple of weeks ago and just today I realized I had failed to write a post about it!

Addison is now a big doctor fan, as opposed to 15-18 months when she completely freaked out as soon as we hit an exam room. I think it's helped her to accompany me to a few of my OB appointments and see the doctor working on Mommy rather than her. I also believe that the doctor kit she received for her birthday has made her much more comfortable with the typical things doctors do. (Thanks, Jen!)

At her appointment, she was very clear in stating that she did not want to be held by the doctor. The first thing she said when he walked into the room was "Dr. Barrett no hold you." He assured her only Mommy would hold her and she relaxed. She then proceeded to tell Dr. Barrett what he was to do next (look in her ears, throat, nose, etc.) He called her a pro!

She stood on the big girl scale for the first time and weighed in at a whopping 25.5lbs (45th %) and measured 33 3/4 inches (50th %).

Dr. B and I talked about a couple of things that were on my mind, one of them being an issue that Addison has had since serious potty-training began.

STOP here if you don't want to read about my daughters poop issues. It's kinda gross.

For the past couple of months, Addison seemed to be holding in her bowel movements and was only going every 3 or so days, mostly in the potty. This quickly began to cause A LOT of pain for Addison and required several hours of sticking around the house on "poop day", waiting for her to build up enough courage to go.

I knew this was not a good situation and probably wouldn't resolve itself. Dr. B agreed that Addison was probably holding it in because she had developed an aversion to pooping due to the pain that she was enduring. He told me that most 2 years olds don't know the difference between a toilet and a toaster and not to push her into it.

I assured him that I am not pushing and that Addison is more than willing to go on the potty. He thought that was wonderful! At the same time, he thought it best that Addison knew she could go poop in her diaper if that made her more comfortable.

So, I told her this (once) and wouldn't you know that she immediately (and has continued) having having normal, easy bowel movements 1-2 times a day! Most of them are in her diaper at the end of her nap. (And if I don't get to her soon enough, the diaper comes off and....well, you know the rest!) This must be when she is most relaxed and can go with ease. Though over the past couple of days, she has gone a few times in the potty, too, so perhaps we will get back to that one of these days. Until then, poopy diapers are fine with me! Better than having her cling to my neck and cry while pushing out rock-hard poo!

Addison had also, just 2 or 3 days before her appointment, developed a few small red dots on her belly and back. It turned out that she had a staph infection. We don't know how this happened, but it was treated with antibiotics and went away. I am definitely glad we had an appointment that day because I don't think I would have had it checked out until it worsened!

Everything else checked out perfectly.

My favorite was when Dr. B said (almost verbatim) "Well, I see there is not a problem with her language development. At this age, we want to make sure they are putting 2 words together, but Addison is in here talking in paragraphs and telling me short stories." Yes, my girl is a talker. LOVE IT!

My least favorite was when Addison had 3 shots. She was so sad and we left with her saying "Addsin no like Dr. Barrett". Crap! Here's to hoping she doesn't mean it!

18 month pediatrician visit

I just got back from my pediatrician appointment. Given the traumatic situation I endured last weekend, I actually did okay. I cried when I was being measured and weighed and when Dr. B looked in my ears and mouth, but other than that, I just clung to Mommy and rested my head on her shoulder as she and Dr. B talked.

I weigh 22lb, 5 oz (more on that in a bit) and am 31.5 inches long. This puts me in the 30th percentile for weight and 45th percentile for height.

My ears looked good, which means the amoxicillin is working, and my breathing seemed okay. Mommy told Dr. B about what happened last weekend when we were in Dayton and Dr. B raised the potential of asthma. He said that it is a little late in my life to just now be showing up, but that it could really come at any time. He also said that he would have been surprised if I didn't "wheeze" at all in my first 2 years of life, given my diagnosis at birth. When it comes to some medical problems, such as asthma, Dr. B's rule of thumb is this: 1st time is an accident, 2nd time a coincidence, and 3rd time a problem. So, he said as of now we will look at last weekend's issue as an accident and just keep our fingers crossed that this is a rare occurrence and doesn't lead to anything serious.

Obviously, I have lost some weight (almost a pound) since my visit to the neonatal clinic 2 months ago. Most of it came off these past few days while I was sick and not eating. But, still, Mommy was concerned that I wasn't gaining as much as she thought I would. I am just about 1 pound more than I was at 9 months old.

So, here's the lowdown. First of all, Dr. B said I'm still in the 30th % which is 30 times what I was at birth. Oh yeah, we always seem to forget that! Dr. B said that a child's weight from 6-9 months is mostly due to food and nutritional intake. From 9 months to 2-3 years old, the largest weight factor becomes genetics. How insightful!!

I was a chunker at 9 months because I was drinking A TON of milk (40 oz./day is a lot) and starting to eat solids. I still eat a lot (a very healthy, well-balanced diet, actually) and appear to be getting all the appropriate nutrients (seeing as I'm very active, developing on track, rarely sick (not counting this last episode!), sleeping well, happy, etc.). So, chances are, genetics have kicked in, and I am going to be a thin child. If any of you have seen pictures of my Mommy as a child, she was pretty much skin and bones until she was a teenager. Daddy was not a beefy kid either. Dr. B said I just don't have it in me to be a big kid.

Now, Dr. B also said that though he would be very surprised if this was the case, there is still a slight chance that I have "failure to thrive" and if at 2 years old, my weight hasn't changed much, we will begin to test for possible reasons why. But Dr. B says we shouldn't worry about that because it's highly unlikely. He just doesn't want to give Mommy false reassurance. Keeping it real...that's why we like Dr. B.

Mommy agrees with Dr. B and thinks the genetic factor makes complete sense. Plus, I think if it weren't for my crazy weight gain between months 6-9, this would totally be a non-issue. So, Mommy is not going to worry anymore and neither are you! Capishe? Good!

The best news of the morning is that I didn't have to get any shots! I still need my MMR and my second Hep A, but both of those can be further delayed. I will get MMR at 2 years (unless by some crazy phenom, there is a measles or mumps outbreak before then) and Hep A can be given any time from now until I am 3. Mommy just didn't want to see me cry anymore and Dr. B agreed that we could wait. After these 2 shots, I will not be due for any more until I am 5 years old. YAY for me!

Oh, you all might be wondering about the hair pulling thing that Mommy brought up a couple days ago. A couple of times lately, when I would throw my food on the floor and Mommy would tell me "Addison, do not throw your food", I would scrunch my face and pull at my hair....getting food in it in the meantime, which drives Mommy crazy! Dr. B said this is just my way of throwing a tantrum and to be glad I don't kick and scream. He said don't pay any attention to it and I will stop. He actually said that 15-18 months is typically the worse for tantrum throwing. It looks like Mommy might have gotten off easy because I am not a tantrum thrower. I throw food, not tantrums! Or maybe Mommy shouldn't speak too soon and I am just saving it for later. Anyway, Mommy was glad to know that it wasn't an early sign of this. Is my Mommy WEIRD, or what? It's okay that you all are shaking your heads "yes". Really, it's okay. We know and we're working on it. :)

Dr. B said that I am developing just as he'd hoped, if not more so. My next appointment will be when I turn 2, unless there are any concerns before then. Thank goodness because I need a break from doctors!

Addison at the Neonatal Clinic

Today was my semi-annual follow up at the Children's Neonatal Clinic. First, I was given an extensive Occupational/Physical Therapy Developmental Evaluation using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.


BRAGGING TIME BEGINS..........

The average range for scaled scores is 8-12 with 10 being the mean. Based on my actual age (being 16 months), I scored an 11 in Cognitive, Fine Motor and Gross Motor and a 13 and 14 in Expressive Communication and Receptive Communication, respectively. Based on the age I was supposed to be at the time, which was just under 14 months old, I scored 12's, a 15 and 16! My actual age equivalent is 16 months in Cognitive, Fine Motor and Gross Motor and 20 months in Communication! Needless to say, I am considered "beyond caught up from being born prematurely". Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to one of Nationwide Children's Hospital's youngest Neonatal clinic "graduates" in history. ME! (Applause, applause. Curtsey.) Thank you very much!

BRAGGING TIME ENDS.

After my OT/PT eval, I was weighed and measured. I weighed in at 23lb 2 oz (46%) and was 31" (50%) in length. Then my neonatal pediatrician came in to do her evaluation. We played a lot and I couldn't stop laughing at her. She wasn't doing anything funny...I was just being a goofball. She told Mommy that I was amazing (and equipped with quite the humor) oh shoot, bragging time ended already and thought it would be a complete waste of time to see me around my 2nd birthday, which is when they anticipated my next appointment to be. It was at this time that I was officially discharged (graduated - especially for you, Meganne!) from the program. WOOT!


Mommy and Daddy are obviously very proud of me. I've worked hard these 16 months to get where I am today. Thankfully I've had a lot of teachers to help me along the way. I really like to learn and am a huge book worm. I think it's only going to get better from here....

Happy 15 month birthday to me!

Today I turn the big 1-5. Months, that is. Mommy and I paid a little visit to my pediatrician this afternoon for my 15 month well visit. All was fine and dandy while in the waiting room. I said hi to everyone as if I knew them all so well and laughed back at the young girl who was giggling at me, which caused even more giggles and eventually became a laughing contest. I smiled as the two little boys across the way were flirting with me and read one of my favorite books to Mommy - my ABC book. I can sing "ABC" and pretend to say "HIJ" and when it comes to "LMNOP", I sure can carry a tune but the letters don't quite come out how I intend.

Anyway, I was just being my pleasant self and when the nurse called my name, I happily followed her down the hallway, holding Mommy's hand. I even walked into the exam room as if it were Disneyworld. Mommy undressed me and walked me over to the exam table. It was at this point that things made a turn for the worse. I knew exactly where I was and what they were going to do to me!

I was measured and weighed...red faced and crying the entire time. 22lb. 8 oz (55th %) and 30 1/4" long (45th %) were the results. A whole half pound weight gain in 3 months - about a pound in 6 months. No wonder my nicknames have gone from Chunky Monkey and 'Lil Chunk to Munchkin, Munchie, and Peanut. Mommy guessed my weight right on the nose, and was actually happy I had a gain to show for myself at all! The doctor said that my weight was bound to level off one of these days and based on how active I am plus my Mommy and Daddy's physical stature, he's not surprised.

Dr. B examined me and said I look wonderful. He was floored by my vocabulary (both verbal and signing) and said I have perfect form to my walking. Then he and Mommy tried to have a conversation, but couldn't hear much over my 95 decibel wailing. I just kept crying and saying/waving "bye bye". I just wanted to get out of there! But first Mommy needed to address her one concern (vaccinations). I sort of settled down during that discussion because I had a feeling I might like the end result. And I did. I only had to get one shot...all others were delayed for personal reasons! YAY for me. The DTaP wasn't so bad and we were immediately out the door. Mommy made me a paper boat while we were in the exam room and I spent the car ride home decorating it with stickers the nurse gave me. The horror is now a distant memory, though Dr. B says to expect much of the same at my 18 month appointment. I guess 15 and 18 month appointments often go like this. OY!

Well, I have some visitors coming this weekend so it's going to be another busy one. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

1 year appointment

Today I saw Dr. B for my 1 year well visit. When Dr. B first saw me, I was one month old and weighed just over 4 1/2 pounds. He and the nurses really can't believe that I'm that same little peanut. But, I'm no peanut anymore! I weigh 22 lbs. even (just like our home scale said) and am 29 1/2 inches long. That puts me in the 70th percentile for both weight and height! Can you believe it?!? Dr. B was also very impressed with my vocabulary and personality! He said I am doing just wonderfully!

As of today, I can drink milk. We have a couple days worth of formula to get through and then I will have my first taste of milk. Well, not really because Mommy shares her cereal with me sometimes and inevitably I get some milk from the spoon...but shhhhh, don't tell anyone! It will be my first taste of whole milk, anyway. I can't wait!

I also have no diet restrictions, other than foods I can't chew (obviously). To celebrate this milestone, Mommy made me a peanut butter and honey sandwich for lunch! YUMMMM-O! Just kidding! But isn't it great that I could eat peanut butter and honey if I really wanted?

Well, I think that's all the big news from my appointment today. Stay tuned for pictures from my birthday/Thanksgiving and my super fun birthday party! It's going to take a while for Mommy to sort through everything!