Joss update

By the way, Joss now:

*has three teeth (upper right incisor, both lower central incisors), with 2 more upper teeth about to cut through. He looks like Cleetus, the Slack-Jawed Yokel.

*can crawl, and crawl very quickly.

*can pull himself to a standing position, and does just that at every given opportunity.

*loves to feed himself. He loves chicken, banana, cereal, yogurt melts, apple snacks, and rice.

*follows Paul around like a puppy.

New Food: Cheese Stick, or: Picnic at the Dr's office

Wednesday, Feb 9, 2011, Joss had his 12 month check up! Dr. S was running a little behind due to an urgent care case in the next exam room, so we settled in to wait picnic-style!

Joss loved playing with those little wagon-wheel crackers. He also kept trying to share them with that handsome baby in the mirror.

After the appetizer, it was time for the next course - pumpkin-banana puree, which smells like cake! Joss can feed himself these handy pouches. =)

And now for the best course - Mozarella Stick! (Mommy watched Joss like a hawk, making sure he didn't choke.) Yummmm!


So, Joss is doing very well. He's self feeding (see above), crawling like crazy, vocalizing almost all the time, recognized his name, and knows who Mommy, Daddy, and Paul are. He tolerated the exam well, except for the lying down parts - he's too busy a baby to lie down!

Joss is in the 25% for weight (down from 50% last exam, but that's due to the drastic increase in activity and the transitioning to solid foods, and it perfectly normal around 9-12 months), remained in the 50% for height, and - oh yeah - 95% for head circumference. Our little Charlie Brown.

Doctor's visit - Joss' 9 months, Paul's 3 years

Both boys shared a check-up appointment today. Joss enjoyed his weigh-in. He's gained nearly two pounds in the past three months, and grew an inch and a half taller. Uncorrected for gestational age, he's in the 10-20% for height and weight; corrected, he's in the 50-75%. Head circumference is still in the 90%.
Paul has also grown nicely this year. He's gained 5 pounds and grew 4 and a half inches. His language development is just fine. When the Dr. mentioned to the resident (who was observing the exams) how Paul has good flexibility in his forefeet, Paul piped up, "I only have TWO feet." Clever boy.

Both boys took their vaccination and flu-shots with surprising stoicism, barely crying and recovering quickly. They were also awesome getting blood drawn for lead tests and, for Paul, platelets (his counts are great).

Paul developed fever and body aches this afternoon, most likely a reaction to the shots. Joss seems symptomless so far, but he'll need a booster flu-shot next month.

15-month Doctor Appointment

Friday, Paul had his 15-month dr appointment. While waiting for the doctor, Paul had a little picnic on the exam table. . .
Paul weighed in at 25.4# (63% up from 47%), 31" (48% down from 66% - he only grew 3/4 inch since last time? seems off to me, but this is what we got. . .), and a head circ of 18.5" (45% - down from 69%).

He also has ear infections in BOTH EARS. Go figure.

Oh, he's also in the 99% for goofiness, and 87% for silly (up from 77% last visit).

General update

Since Daddy is away on travel until tomorrow, Mommy was on day-care driving duty today. It was nice to see Paul get very excited when he recognized me, and it's especially nice since he's started reaching out his arms to be picked up (began a day or two ago).

He was cheerfully chattering at me and examining his pacifier on the way home, until he flung the paci out of range (I still can't find it), which ticked him off. He began complaining and fussing, and even me dropping a different, lint-covered pacifier from the bottom of his day-care bag onto his head didn't seem to appease him.

Then less than 5 minutes from home, I hear ominous quiet, and look in the baby mirror to see. . .



He's got his mommy's sense of timing, all right. . .

Other new things:
He slaps at the food on his tray with the flat of his palm, as if to smash it flat. This actually causes bits of food (like cheese and Cheerios) to get flung off the tray and all about the room. I'm not sure what he's trying to accomplish, exactly, but he seems to enjoy it.

He has also begun to rock his upper torso and head against the back of the highchair - actually, slamming his head against the padded back - which alarms mommy, but which daddy shrugs off as "he's enjoying the movement." Paul does not seem the worse for wear, and daddy is the cognitive psychologist, so. . .

Paul has also learned that he does not like to hear the word "no" (for example, when he tries to pull down the shower curtains while taking his bath), and will scream like he's been stuck with a large, hot, pointy stick - and diverting his attention is becoming increasingly difficult as object permanence collides with stubborn will.

But then he giggles like a fool when I make a silly face, so all is forgiven. . .