4-month doctor visit

Elliott and her namesake, Marion Arlene Leavitt (G.G.)

Strawberry Shortcake!

Elliott in the gazebo!

Elliott lounging by the pool at Babbie and Pop's house.

Elliott and her "aunt" Melinda Kacer.

Elliott had her 4-month visit with Dr. Craft today.  She woke up all smiles and giggles in the best mood and I just dreaded the four intramuscular vaccines that were looming ahead.  Elliott weighed in at 14 pounds and 5 ounces (60%) and 25.5 inches (90%).  So our girl is a long, lean machine!  Dr. Craft was very pleased with her weight gain and length.  He was impressed with her head control (take that tummy time!) and with her chattiness for her age.  But what had him most impressed was that she is sleeping 11 hours a night.  "That is quite atypical for a breast fed baby at this age...but atypical in a good way!" he told me.  I beamed with pride.  So all that eating well, staying hydrated, and crazy pumping has paid off!  And then poor Dr. Craft ruined everything when he flipped her over onto her stomach to see how she responded to tummy time. And she did as she always does: she screamed bloody murder.  

For those of you who don't know what tummy time is, let me explain:  Since the discovery of SIDS, it has been recommended that babies be put on their backs to sleep.  In order for them to not have flat skulls and to work on their neck muscles, the American Pediatrics Association recommends at least 15 minutes of tummy time a day for infants.  What they don't warn you about is how much babies actually LOATHE tummy time.  Most babies scream, cry, fuss and fester while on their stomachs.  Elliott is no exception.  In fact, I am the only person who is the bad guy and makes her do it.  Supposedly the trick is to pat their behinds really hard in an attempt to distract them.  (It doesn't work; Elliott still screams.)  I didn't have the heart to confess to Dr. C that I was really bad about making her do it.  Instead we make her sit up and we hold her on our hips to make her use her neck muscles.  

Then it was vaccine time.  While we waited for the nurse to come in with the four horse needles, Elliott fell asleep on my shoulders.  (Okay now I should take a cue from how the peds do it.  I think I should make my technicians give the vaccines to my veterinary patients and then I wouldn't be the bad guy.  That could really work for me.....)  She got the dreaded four needles in her quads and shrieked and it was horrible but I have to say that my heart always swells with love when I can comfort my terrified infant.  She was fine in about 10 minutes and we were on our way.  Next visit, 6-months and we are on to solids!  Wa hoo!