9 month doctor visit

Rickybear had his 9 month appointment on Tuesday.  I really like our pedi and I appreciate how much individual time she gives us.  She really listens to my concerns and I am so glad that we switched to her (even though we had no problems whatsoever with the other pedi we had). 

She confirmed that my baby is probably going to be a little guy.  He was 26.25 inches (around 1 or 2%), 17 lbs 6 oz (also under 5%), and his head was 17.75 inches (10%).  She had me run through how much I feed him and how much formula and she said he was a fantastic eater, but he might just be small.  Since developmentally (his skill level) he was at 12 months, she wasn't too concerned and thinks he might have a growth spurt coming.  She said he won't be a 6 foot tall man, though.  Once he hits 2 yrs old she might be able to predict how tall he will be based on the charts she has.  She likes how strong he was.  [By the way, I didn't realize until I updated the stats page that he weighed exactly the same at nine months as he was at eight months... but he wasn't mobile a month ago so he is burning up calories like crazy now.]

The doctor thought he was too cute.  Breathing and belly were great.  She felt around his mouth and said his second front bottom tooth also cut through (probably Mon night or Tues morning) since it was just barely there).  He doesn't have to go back for another appointment until 12 months.  There will be a lot of shots at that appointment, so I changed it from May 27 to May 31 since I don't want him to have a good time on his birthday party day.  We didn't think we had any shots at this appointment, but once we were almost all the way back home, I received a phone call saying there was an error and he actually did need one.  *sigh*  I am glad they called, though, because I would rather have turned around and gone back to get it than have to take more time off of work.  By the time I got back there, Rickybear was asleep so we gave it to him while he was sleeping.  What a terrible way to wake up!  But after it was over, he let out two cries, grabbed the bottle, and fell back asleep.

We walked with neighbor and her 14 month old baby girl when we got home and then had a little play date.  While over there, he had another milestone.  He was playing with a toy when his playmate stepped in between him and the toy.  He leaned back out of her way and he stood for 16 seconds without support.  The neighbor and I both had our arms outstretched on all sides of him in case he crashed, lol.  It was too cute and I was very proud.  When we got home he went down for a nap, but woke up after 35 mins and didn't stop wailing after that.  He was SO UPSET and I couldn't get him to stop screaming, but it was the effects of the vaccine.  He was better when daddy got home and he had some Tylenol in him.  I put him to bed almost right after daddy got home and he slept like a rock all night.  All smiles the next morning.

A quick update

Mommy and daddy enjoyed the three day weekend with our lil man.  He had a full weekend and he was an angel while we were out in public.  We ate out twice and went bowling and he was content to hang out in his car seat and play.  He is still getting over his cold.  Since it was lingering, I took him to the doctor on Monday.  His throat and lungs were clear.  He had 100% oxygen so that was great.  His left ear was clear but his right one was slightly irritated, so he was given some antibiotics for that.  He’s still all stuffed up, but he is so much better than he was before.  They also weighed him- he was 16 lbs 13oz.

Despite the cold, Rickybear had a play date over the weekend.  I used to work with the mommy and I haven’t seen her since we were both pregnant!  Too long!  But her two sweeties came over to play.  I cleaned and sanitized the house like a mad woman before they came over.  =)  Her little girl is 18 months and her baby boy is 6 months.  The babies were very into each other at first, but then they started doing their own thing.  No tantrums to speak of, so I consider this one a “win”. 

The weather was warmer on Monday so we headed outside to clean out my car.  I put Ricky on a blanket in the grass.  It was like he was on an island- he was a little leery of crawling on the grass, but he had no problem trying to EAT the grass!  His little friend next door even came over for a quick visit.  The neighbors have a 15 month old little girl.  Rickybear is so interested in everything she does.  I can’t believe that before I know it he will be walking just like she is.  As exciting as it is, I want me little baby to STAY a baby, and to need his mommy.

This past weekend was a wonderfully lazy and relaxing weekend.  After date night on Friday night, hubby and I went baby shopping.  Basically, we just needed some more formula, but then we saw the sippy cups!  We ended up buying a purple and yellow (LSU!!) Playtex First Sipster sippy cup.  Well, I decided to test it out Saturday morning.  Why did I think he would catch on his first time trying??  I was completely wrong!  He looked like he was trying to fit the whole lid in his mouth!  He didn’t get the sucking action, so I will put it in the cabinet and pull it back out in a few more weeks.  As for the product itself, it seems really well designed and durable, and I had no problems with it leaking.  We have also been using slow flow nipples on his bottles, so I bought some Gerber medium flow nipples to begin using so when he does try the sippy cup again, he won’t choke.  I can only learn by trying, right?

The highlight of the day was Rickybear was able to meet some more of his cousins.  My cousin was in town from Alabama to babysit while her husband and brother attended the LSU vs. Alabama game.  She brought Cameron, her soon-to-be four year old son with her and he was such a treat!  They were watching Sam, who is nine months old.  Watching him play was like taking a look at what I have in store for the future with my son.  Sam is a master crawler and can pull himself up to standing.  He was getting into all sorts of trouble and toys were EVERYWHERE.  I need to treasure my lil stationary man as much as I can now because once he can crawl, my home will be in chaos.  And toys that make music?  No, thank you!  So annoying after hearing it play over and over and over!

Aside from the play date, Rickybear watched a lot of football this weekend and did a lot of bouncing.  Both his grandmothers stopped by to say hello to him, as well, so he was spoiled rotten with attention.

Since I am resigned to the fact that my son will be sleeping in our room with us until he goes to college, I bought the Dream With Me 3 mattress for his Pack 'n Play.  I ordered it from Amazon and it came in two days.  He likes it, I like it- looks like a success.  He does seem to be sleeping better on it, too.  Still waking up at 2 am for a nighttime snack, but a lot less wiggling around otherwise.  OH, and just because we turned the clock back Saturday night DID NOT mean we got to sleep an extra hour.  Apparently I forgot to explain to my 5 month old son what Daylight Savings is. 

Hubby asked me over the weekend when the baby can stay in the bed with us.  With as many pillows as we sleep with and as much as we toss and turn- I am not sure it would be such a good idea.  I also am remembering how fleeting sleep was when I was pregnant with this baby, and if we plan to have another one soon, I don’t see how that would work very well for me with a wiggly infant/toddler sharing a bed with me.  I will have to think on that one for awhile.