subconsci productions @ flickr

Rissa’s nine month appointment was a couple weeks ago.  I think I say this with each So Big! update, but I can NOT believe she is nine months old!  It was a relief not to have to get any shots this time.  Rissa spent most of the exam on my lap, which our doctor just worked with.  He commented on her stranger anxiety as being normal.  She kept an eye on him the whole time and would smile and engage him when he kept his distance.  She clutched my shirt and would “check in” with me repeatedly by turning her face into my chest.  It was nice being reassured that this behavior was a sign of our strong bond!
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subconsci productions @ flickr

Last week we had Rissa’s six month check up.  Once again, the doctor said she is growing steadily and doing well.  She’s still TALL for her age and SKINNY.  Seriously, how is this possible?

She’s tall and skinny – I’m short and fat!

If she didn’t look so much like me, I’d wonder who’s child she really was!

She measured in at 14lbs 7oz, 26 inches long.  Her weight dropped down into the 25th percentile but her height went UP in the 90th percentile.

Her clothes are…. oh gawd she BARELY wore her 3-6 month clothes.  Most are too small now!

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The Portable Pediatrician: Everything You Need to Know About Your Child’s Health by William Sears MD, Martha Sears RN, Robert Sears MD, James Sears MD, and Peter Sears MD.

Here’s some information about this book:

Imagine you are up at three o’clock in the morning with a sick child. Wouldn’t it be nice to have expert advice readily at hand to help get you through the night? Encyclopedic in scope, THE PORTABLE PEDIATRICIAN features timely and practical information on every childhood illness and emergency, including when to call the doctor, what reassuring signs can help you know your child is okay, how to treat your child at home, and much more-all in a convenient A-to-Z format. Among the scores of topics covered:
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subconsci productions @ flickr

Last week we had Rissa’s 4 month check up.  The doctor said she continues to grow fine, doing wonderful, and to keep doing what we’re doing!  Honestly, though, I’m a tad worried about her weight.

She measured in at 12lbs 5oz, 25 inches long.  Her weight dropped down into the 30th percentile but her height is in the 85th percentile.

As I mentioned 2 months ago, I don’t know where she’s getting her height from.  This child is long and skinny! She grows out of her clothes due to height and her cloth diapers get sized up for her rise but are still loose around her waist.

If this keeps up…we’ll need a new carseat sooner than I had anticipated!
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This week’s topic for Week 6 of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop is OBSTACLES. This is perfect because I’ve been meaning to write a post about this very subject…

I started breastfeeding Rissa within a few hours after she was born.  She spent a lot of time at the breast during our two day stay at the hospital.  The nurses and lactation consultants commented on what a good little nurser she was and complimented me on positioning and technique.

They said it was obvious I attended a breastfeeding class and prepared before Rissa’s arrival.  Certainly I had nothing to worry about, right? I felt like all my fears of “will she nurse ok?” were silly.  Things were going to be just fine.

We were naturals.

Like old pros.
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Rissa continues to earn A+s when she goes for her well baby checkups – thank goodness!  That puts my mind at ease, y’know.

I mean, I know it’s my job to worry about her more than anyone else ever will, but it’s great to get feedback on her growth.  If she’s growing, she’s eating and developing.  This means I’m accomplishing the basic parenting skills at the very least.

When she was born, she was 6lbs 10oz, 19.75in.  She was just a bit below average.

At her 2-3 week check up she was 6lbs 13oz, 20in.  Still just a bit below average.

At her 2 month check up she was 10lbs 8oz and 23 inches long. This put her at the 50th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height.

We have no clue where she got the height from! It certainly isn’t from me or my side of the family.  I’m only about 5’3″-5’4″ and my dad is 5’2.5″… shorties!  What a growth spurt she had, I tell ya.  She caught up in weight and got really long almost out of nowhere.  One day she takes up my whole lap across and is kicking the arm of the glider.  
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Another reality check closer… we met with the pediatrician yesterday as a “get acquainted” appointment prior to the arrival of babygirl.  I’ve never done anything quite like that before, but it certainly made her arrival even more real (is that possible?!) and imminent.

I didn’t have a list of questions or anything – just a couple general things to ask.  I didn’t take one of the pre-made question lists from any of the baby books I’ve read since this doctor came well recommended.  See, she’ll be seeing the same doctor as her two nephews on my husband’s side of the family.  I trust my sister-in-law’s recommendation.

We did feel comfortable with the doctor and he clearly had a sense of humor – which is important, I think.  Since we didn’t have a laundry list to go over, he gathered some information that will start her file and all that.  I will be back there a couple days after leaving the hospital… which should be in about a month!

Today marks the start of my 3rd trimester.  It’s hard to believe it.  On the one hand, it feels like time has flown by, but on the other hand… babygirl just isn’t arriving fast enough!! (But please stay in there, sweetie, until you are done cookin’.)

With 13 weeks left… let’s take a look at what I have left to do from the list I posted up when I hit the halfway point:

1 – Crochet a baby blanket (well, need to learn how to crochet well first… eeps)

Well, I still haven’t started this.  I bought the yarn and asked my mom for a lesson to refresh my memory.  Hopefully I’ll get it made before she turns one…

2 – Paint the nursery (more specifically, this is hubby’s job)

This was completed!!

3 – Train cats to stay out of the bassinet (although they haven’t climbed in… yet)

The cats are staying out of it with no problem… for now.  I’ve been trying to keep them off my glider though.  That hasn’t been as easy.  For some reason, they really love just hanging out in the nursery.

4 – Make plastic canvas Nursery Rhyme pictures (I have the patterns, just need more yarn!)

Haven’t started this…

5 – Find and sign up for classes: birthing and breastfeeding

I got us signed up for a few classes: childbirth, breastfeeding, and bring home new baby.  This weekend is the childbirth class.  I have the BFing class in a couple weeks and the new baby class is mid-September.

6 – Find a daycare for when I return to work

I’m still working on finding word of mouth recommendations before I start checking places out.

7 – Find a pediatrician

I received several recommendations, which is awesome.  One is nearby and is actually within the same clinic as mine and Brian’s primary care doctor.  Now I just need to talk with him and see if he’s accepting new patients.  I hope to have this and daycare sorted out by the end of September.

8 – Purchase whatever essentials we don’t get from dear sweet family and friends that are an absolute must for the first few weeks

Can’t do this part yet until after the babyshower! It’s scheduled for mid-September.  I also have a work shower coming up as well.

Well, at least there really isn’t anything to add to this list!