Chunky Monkey

Off to Dr. Hunter's office this morning for Reed's four month well-baby check-up. (On a side note, I just love the way the pediatrician's office is decorated. The waiting room has a huge wall mural, which is a painting of the store fronts in Diagon Alley, from the Harry Potter books. Each exam room, then, is themed for a specific children's author and his/her books: J.K. Rowling (of course), Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and Beatrix Potter (there's a fifth one, but I can't remember what it is). They've moved to a new location between our last visit and today's appointment, and behind the receptionist's desk there was a new sign that read "Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy." I'm still laughing out loud about it!)

Anyway, back to our appointment. Reed, as you guessed, is growing like a champ. His stats:

Weight: 19 lbs. 7 oz.
Height: 27 1/2 in.
Head Circumference: 45 1/2 cm
These measurements are all in the 97th percentile. In perfect proportion!

Except for the head, Reed has far exceeded Drew's size at SIX months! What a little rice cereal can do for one's development...

On that note, Reed's reflux is finally managable with the meds he is on. Baby Zantac is a wonder drug!! He still spits up quite a bit after eating, but his disposition is much brighter as the Zantac works to remove the acid and therefore takes the pain away. Two doses a day keeps Reed's and mommy's tears away! Our little baby is finally a happy one!


Here's what else the doctor said...

* She upped his dosage for the Zantac, as it's a weight based med and he's packing on the pounds like a regular defensive end!
* Because the upper GI showed no anatomical abnormalities, she expects to see his reflux begin to disapate between six and nine months. We'll probably have to continue to thicken his formula with cereal until then.
* She gave us a sample of Enfamil's Gentlease formula to begin to ween Reed off the Nutramigen (the formula that's costing Reed his college savings). Cross your fingers that this new formula will treat him as well as the spendy stuff does!
* We can begin feeding off a spoon. As soon as he masters taking cereal from a spoon, we can start giving Reed a bit of color and flavor in his meals with some fruits and veggies. I think we'll start with prunes. :)
* He looks great! (but we already knew that!)