PJ had his well-check today and the stats are:
Weight - 20 pounds 7.5 ounces (90th - 95th percentile)
Length - 28 1/2 inches (>97th percentile)
Weight for length percentile - 25th - 50th
For comparison - LJ's 6 month stats were:
Weight – 17 pounds 15.5 ounces (50th percentile)
Length– 26 ¾ inches (75th percentile)
Weight for length percentile - 50th - 75th
I'm sure this isn't so interesting for the average reader, but I find it fascinating!
PJ had is current on his immunizations and had 1/2 his flu shot today - he gets the other 1/2 in a month.
LJ, RJ, and I all had our flu shots today as well - and we all did just fine with it. LJ got a Blue's Clues sticker for his efforts.
The dr. was not impressed with my tale of reflux and took my recounting the events in stride. He suggested we feed him earlier at before bed so the food has time to digest...which we are already doing. I knew that would be the extent of it. You can't look at PJ and think he's suffering nutritionally - and if there is no nutritional deficit, they are want to do anything about reflux.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Reflux
I have "The Reflex", by Duran Duran going through my mind, but alas - The Reflux is not nearly so nice...
I'm beginning to think that PJ might be suffering from acid reflux. He isn't much of a crank during the day, but he does spit up (usually more than once) every time after he eats - sometimes 2 or so hours later. As mentioned in the previous entry, he projectile vomited (2x) about 3 hours after having some applesauce and rice cereal...well, a few nights ago I tried some solids again...bananas and rice cereal. He threw that up too. He has eaten bananas previously and not thrown up. It really seems as though this reflux has gotten worse as he's gotten older. Looking back, I can see signs that he's always had it, but now it seems worse - with the vomit and all. There are other symptoms, like he is angry while nursing...he pulls off, not in a distracted way typical for his age, but he is crying and fussing. We are lucky if we nurse for 10 minutes a session. I thought he was fussy because he'd drained the breast, but when I pump I get 3-4 ounces out of each breast, and I doubt he's pulling 3-4 ounces in 3 minutes...right? Also, his voice is hoarse and raspy - which I read is another sign.
All of this to say - I'm beginning to think this is at least part of his problem at night. He arches his back, turns himself over on his tummy, but doesn't sleep that way...he starts crying - ALL THE TIME. Sometimes, he goes right back to sleep - other times (more often) he cries and arches his back while we're trying to comfort him. If/when we pick him up, he typically has a juicy burp or two. So, perhaps he's waking up and crying because he's in pain from acid reflux? I don't know that there is much to do other than ride it out and adjust his eating habits. He has his well-visit on Friday, but I'm pretty sure the Dr. will not be impressed (the American meaning, not the Canadian meaning - which I've come to know means "angry"). PJ is growing just fine and he's pretty content during the day (with some research, I've come to know he is a 'happy spitter' (he's got juicy burps, spitting up a lot, etc., but isn't cranky about it) and does not suffer from GERD (these babies are cranks) - it is just the night time that is driving us batty!
So far, we have taken the course of action which includes- smaller, more frequent meals and upright for about 30 minutes after. This has caused us to re-do his night routine...from bath, nurse, bed to nurse, upright for a bit, bath, bed. No big deal, but a change due to the reflux. I've read that 4-5 months is the peak and we did start to notice the signs around 4 months. As with all things baby-related, it seems we can always look at it as "things are only going to get better" - of course, different things pop up all the time...!
Oh, and let me add - PJ is pulling himself up to a standing position when he is near something that is head-height for him as he crawls around the house. Um...he'll be 6 months old tomorrow - this seems rather early for so much mobility...yikes!
I'm beginning to think that PJ might be suffering from acid reflux. He isn't much of a crank during the day, but he does spit up (usually more than once) every time after he eats - sometimes 2 or so hours later. As mentioned in the previous entry, he projectile vomited (2x) about 3 hours after having some applesauce and rice cereal...well, a few nights ago I tried some solids again...bananas and rice cereal. He threw that up too. He has eaten bananas previously and not thrown up. It really seems as though this reflux has gotten worse as he's gotten older. Looking back, I can see signs that he's always had it, but now it seems worse - with the vomit and all. There are other symptoms, like he is angry while nursing...he pulls off, not in a distracted way typical for his age, but he is crying and fussing. We are lucky if we nurse for 10 minutes a session. I thought he was fussy because he'd drained the breast, but when I pump I get 3-4 ounces out of each breast, and I doubt he's pulling 3-4 ounces in 3 minutes...right? Also, his voice is hoarse and raspy - which I read is another sign.
All of this to say - I'm beginning to think this is at least part of his problem at night. He arches his back, turns himself over on his tummy, but doesn't sleep that way...he starts crying - ALL THE TIME. Sometimes, he goes right back to sleep - other times (more often) he cries and arches his back while we're trying to comfort him. If/when we pick him up, he typically has a juicy burp or two. So, perhaps he's waking up and crying because he's in pain from acid reflux? I don't know that there is much to do other than ride it out and adjust his eating habits. He has his well-visit on Friday, but I'm pretty sure the Dr. will not be impressed (the American meaning, not the Canadian meaning - which I've come to know means "angry"). PJ is growing just fine and he's pretty content during the day (with some research, I've come to know he is a 'happy spitter' (he's got juicy burps, spitting up a lot, etc., but isn't cranky about it) and does not suffer from GERD (these babies are cranks) - it is just the night time that is driving us batty!
So far, we have taken the course of action which includes- smaller, more frequent meals and upright for about 30 minutes after. This has caused us to re-do his night routine...from bath, nurse, bed to nurse, upright for a bit, bath, bed. No big deal, but a change due to the reflux. I've read that 4-5 months is the peak and we did start to notice the signs around 4 months. As with all things baby-related, it seems we can always look at it as "things are only going to get better" - of course, different things pop up all the time...!
Oh, and let me add - PJ is pulling himself up to a standing position when he is near something that is head-height for him as he crawls around the house. Um...he'll be 6 months old tomorrow - this seems rather early for so much mobility...yikes!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Random Catch-up Entries...
PJ has cleared: rice cereal, sweet potato, squash, carrots, pears, and bananas. He's tried peaches, but that night he slept HORRIBLY, so I didn't give him peaches a second day. Instead, I gave him apple sauce yesterday. Later that evening, he projectile vomited 2x within a 20 minute period of time...right before bedtime...and RJ was not home. LJ has never vomited (knocking on wood), so I've made it almost 3 years having to deal with nobody's vomit but my own. It is truly pathetic to watch a 6 month old (almost) be so sick. Of course, there is no warning as to when this will occur, so I immediately have visions of cleaning this up all over the house. Luckily, (knocking on wood) PJ did not vomit again and seems to be fine...RJ is having gastro-intestinal woes today, so perhaps there is a "touch of something" in the air. Or, perhaps PJ's system did not care for rice cereal and apple sauce, but those are so bland I have a hard time thinking he's allergic. I will say there was an aroma of baby-food peaches after the expulsions, but he ate those over 24 hours earlier, so is it possible he would wait that long to react? I have no solid food planned for today...I'm sure you can understand.
PJ is crawling. Full-on crawling. He's been mobile for about 4 weeks, but now he's got coordinated arm/leg movement.
LJ is a singing fool. He knows several songs and, while not in great tune, sings them well (thanks to Jfer and to PJ's delight).
LJ has hit the terrible-twos - with less than 1 month to go. He just isn't listening and isn't as compliant, so he's spent some time in the naughty chair. Once, the naughty chair wasn't doing the trick (he seemed to be enjoying himself too much), so I made him stand with his nose on the wall.
LJ is, for the most part, a very happy, loving, sweet boy - this is why we know he *can* be such a good boy!
LJ is excited that Uncle B's tractor is in our driveway! RJ is starting to get the site ready for the delivery of his garage (steel building) on November 2nd. Then - construction begins...I've been told that, with the help of the male J's (brothers and father), it'll take 2-3 weeks. I remain hopeful this is true because I know how thrilled RJ is to finally have his garage - I'll let you know.
MJ is not getting on the computer as much because it seems that LJ and PJ have less and less time where they are simultaneously occupied...one or the other always seems to need my attention.
MJ realizes how much she took for granted how easy it used to be to jump out of the car and run in to get something. Now, she wishes there was a drive-thru grocery store.
I (I’ll cease with the MJ) enjoyed two weekends of “me” activities. One – some girlfriends from college came to town and we partook in college activities. Very much fun – although, I stayed up way too late! The other – I went on an overnight “mom’s only” trip with some of the ladies from my mommy message board. It was nice to be able to visit with them without having to keep 95% of my attention on my children! I think we decided to make it a 3x a year occurrence.
PJ is crawling. Full-on crawling. He's been mobile for about 4 weeks, but now he's got coordinated arm/leg movement.
LJ is a singing fool. He knows several songs and, while not in great tune, sings them well (thanks to Jfer and to PJ's delight).
LJ has hit the terrible-twos - with less than 1 month to go. He just isn't listening and isn't as compliant, so he's spent some time in the naughty chair. Once, the naughty chair wasn't doing the trick (he seemed to be enjoying himself too much), so I made him stand with his nose on the wall.
LJ is, for the most part, a very happy, loving, sweet boy - this is why we know he *can* be such a good boy!
LJ is excited that Uncle B's tractor is in our driveway! RJ is starting to get the site ready for the delivery of his garage (steel building) on November 2nd. Then - construction begins...I've been told that, with the help of the male J's (brothers and father), it'll take 2-3 weeks. I remain hopeful this is true because I know how thrilled RJ is to finally have his garage - I'll let you know.
MJ is not getting on the computer as much because it seems that LJ and PJ have less and less time where they are simultaneously occupied...one or the other always seems to need my attention.
MJ realizes how much she took for granted how easy it used to be to jump out of the car and run in to get something. Now, she wishes there was a drive-thru grocery store.
I (I’ll cease with the MJ) enjoyed two weekends of “me” activities. One – some girlfriends from college came to town and we partook in college activities. Very much fun – although, I stayed up way too late! The other – I went on an overnight “mom’s only” trip with some of the ladies from my mommy message board. It was nice to be able to visit with them without having to keep 95% of my attention on my children! I think we decided to make it a 3x a year occurrence.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
RJ's B-Day
RJ celebrated his #&th birthday over the weekend...and what a celebration it was. You all know how much I enjoy planning events such as this - and we had some family coming into town for another event anyway, so...I took this excuse to plan a shin-dig and ran with it.
The theme was "cars" - and not the Disney movie. Guests included MawMaw, my brother and his family and my niece ES (her first time to come to our house and our first time to see her in a L O N G time) and her boyfriend B. These people were all going to be in town anyway, so don't feel slighted if you weren't invited...no one was really "invited", they just showed up! We hope that ES will feel as though she can just show up anytime she so desires.
Ok, back to the party - I went all out with the theme...the table:
The craft table - where people made their own license plate:
The menu was hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, chip, veggies, dip, baked beans, cake, ice cream, candy, candy, candy, and candy. LJ was in little boy heaven. The games included: A "road rally" to find the cake, Red Light/Green Light, Marshmallow races, "RJ Says", Pin the Balloon on the Firetruck, and Musical Chairs. Every time a person/team won a game, they got a prize and RJ got a Matchbox car...which, of course, LJ has inherited. Many guests were so generous as to bring gifts, so RJ has worn a new t-shirt, bought a weed-eater, and run his remote-control cars all over the house (with LJ laughing and chasing after them). It was BIG fun and we had a great time.
(LJ is having trouble limiting his candy intake, so we are having to intervene in a big way.)
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