Lucy went to see Dr. Minkus today for her eight-month checkup (a little late, since she turned eight-months on Christmas Day). I wasn’t looking forward to it, knowing that Lucy would get more shots today. It is just so hard to watch them stick the needle in, wait out the pause, and hear that cry of pain. But Lucy surprised us today.
The nurse was familiar to us all — the same woman who gave us lots of good lactation advice and encouragement when Lucy was less than a week old, gaining weight slowly, and learning to nurse. But even before I realized that we had history together, she just made me feel relaxed.
Plus she had a special technique for giving the shot: apply pressure to the area for a moment, then stick the needle in. Lucy crunched her abs to watch her do it… and didn’t even make a peep. I was totally amazed! What a courageous girl!
Other news from the appointment: Lucy weighs 16 lbs 10 oz (up from 15 lbs 2 oz in October), and has grown an inch (27 inches now). Dr. Minkus applauded my breastfeeding efforts, which he always does (and I’m always glad to hear it).
In terms of solids, he said again that Lucy will eat when she is ready, but we can forgo the purées and go right to finger food. I’d been planning to give this a try anyway, so I’m now even more eager to see how Lucy will react to some pieces of the very ripe banana I’ve been saving for her. I told him about how Lucy sort of gags on pieces of Cheerios, and he said she just isn’t used to it. (But he isn’t the one worrying if she is choking!)
A terrific appointment: in and out within one hour, good reports all throughout, and Lucy didn’t melt down despite having to miss her afternoon nap for the appointment! We are so proud of her.
My dear Lucia,
Your Mama and Papa provide us with such good, frequent news that we almost feel that we are right there with you. It is so kind of them to do this while sharing YOU at the same time. You do, my dear, lead an interesting life – already meeting professionals of all sorts, supervising your neighborhood during your walks, all the while helping your parents develop confidence as you continue to train them in methods of child-rearing. Yes indeed, it is an interesting life. Live it to the fullest and know that you are providing meaning to all the lives around you at the same time. I send you my love…
i really like dr. minkus. one place i don’t have to feel weird about nursing a toddler. glad lucy took her shots well!
oh, another thing i like about dr. minkus is that he doesn’t overvaccinate. we switched to his office last summer, and we found out our previous doctors’ office had overkilled on the vax.
Do you find it harder to carry Lucy? Christine is about the same size, and every time I use the bjorn, my back & shoulders ache! I also think I may be getting some tendonitis in my wrists from carrying her. Maybe we need to go to a back-carrier? Any tips for carrying bigger babies?
Also, any tips for nursing position for bigger babies? I think I am also straining my back when I nurse.
Lucy is definitely getting heavier, but I still don’t mind the Baby Bjorn — although only for like 20-30 minutes at a time. Jon loves the backpack carrier. The bigger problem for me is carrying her in her car seat — so heavy! I avoid this at all costs.
We still use the Boppy for nursing at home. When we are out, I’m fine without it, but Lucy and I are both more comfy with the Boppy.
Side lying is a good option for nursing too, if it’s convenient. I’m in physical therapy at the moment for back pain and one thing the therapist told me to pay attention to is the amount of time I spend looking down – it’s so natural to look down at your baby when nursing them or even if you are in a chair and they are on the floor or whatever, but doing it too much can strain your neck and shoulder muscles.
I hope you don’t mind me throwing out a question in your blog, but did anyone else see the report by Consumer’s Reports about infant car seats? (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/child-car-booster-seats/car-seats-2-07/overview/0207_seats_ov.htm)
If you did see it – what do you think – get a new car seat or stick with what you already have?
Its your baby, how much are they worth too you? We have our seat checked about every 4 to 6 months at the hospital for free to make sure we are using it right. Also we do have the Britax which has some of the best ratings, althought it is $$$$, it was a birthday gift to me from four different people. But she is worth it.
We stopped using the infant seat at 5 months and it was worth it!.
We have the Graco Snug Ride which was top rated when we bought it, however, it is from 2005 when Benjamin was born and the one they did the latest testing with (still top rated) is the 2007 model which has some differences.
Thanks for sending along that Consumer Reports link, Nicole. Enlightening and alarming!