Since our family doctor is basically taking the next three weeks off we got Lyla in for her nine month well child check up today.
It was one of those moments where I can really see how she’s changed since the last visit.
Now she’s sitting up on her own, wants to get into things and is much more squirmy. Last time she was totally cooperative — remember she even opened up her mouth when the doctor came at her with a tongue depressor — but this time she was not as willing and much more curious about everything in the room.
And, of course, there’s the fact she’s bigger. At her last visit she was 25 inches tall and 13 pounds, 10 ounces. This time at nearly nine months old she is 15 pounds, 13 ounces and 26 1/2 inches tall. She’s been eating solids since her last appointment, starting with breakfast and dinner (oatmeal then veggies and fruit) now to three times a day (oatmeal and fruit, yogurt and fruit, then veggies and fruit) in addition to plenty of formula. So, I was kind of expecting a bit more growth but she’s still around the 10th percentile for weight.
Still, I’m not too stressed that she’s remained small. Something that has been a concern since I found out I was pregnant was Lyla’s size. You want to make sure, as a diabetic (especially if you’re overweight as I am) not to let the baby get too big, and the way of doing that is a strictly controlled diet while pregnant.
There’s two reasons for this:
• Big babies are harder to deliver, especially for first time moms
• Big babies are more likely to have weight issues later on in life (take me as an example, I was almost 10 pounds and have had weight issues for much of my life)
So, the fact that Lyla remains small is good. I can only hope that it points to a long term outcome of healthy weight.
Once we got Lyla weighed and measured, our family doc gave her a thorough exam and asked us about milestones such as rolling over, grasping things, sitting up unsupported, food and so on. He checked her sight, her hearing, her hear beat, pulse, belly and so on. While he was giving her the once over she was quite adamant that she didn’t want her ears to be looked at as she kept squirming away.
If she could talk I am sure she would have said, “Doctor, please, don’t touch my ears. No, seriously. Don’t. Um, no thank you, my ears are fine.”
While on the exam table she squirmed, grabbed for anything the doctor was holding and even whined a bit.
Our doc said everything looked good and we’re doing a good job. Yay!
Best part for all involved was the fact there were no routine vaccinations this time around.
Lucky girl, we’re taking her back on her first birthday in November for her next well child check.
Hey, Lyla, happy birthday, have some shots!
Good thing she won’t remember any of this but she can always look back at the blog if she wants to know.