New Tricks at 9 Months

I can't believe Jack Jack is already 9 months old. He has officially been on the outside world longer than he was inside me. It always makes me a little sad, before I know it he will be a year old.

We didn't have the typical 9 month well baby check up. This was due to his recent hospital stay. Jackson made a lot of improvement during the last week. He drinks a bottle like a champ. He gained 4 ounces, weighing in at 14 lbs 4 oz. He has finally doubled his birth weight, it only took him 9 months. He has fallen further off the weight chart. But he gained weight from his last visit, even with being so sick.

I was able to discuss a few concerns with Dr. Smith. Possible reasons as to why he seems to get so sick, so often. Possible reasons why he is always so congested. Possible reasons for his anemia. I basically had a ton of questions, due to all the hours I had to sit and think, plus all of the many theories I was subjected to. We have decided to take the following actions: retest his iron level after being on iron-fortified formula for 2 months, do a sweat chloride test to test for cystic fibrosis, plus test for another genetic lung condition, and we are going to check his thyroid again. He also was to keep a close eye on his weight.

The doctor doesn't think there is anything wrong with him and is holding off labeling him failure to thrive. He just thinks we produce small kids. However, he did agree with me that it is time to start crossing a few things off the list. He also explained that the Pediatric Endocrinologist was on vacation for the next several weeks, so we wouldn't be able to get an appointment until the last week of August, even if we wanted too. I explained to him, that I don't want to come across as a hypochondriac, testing for anything and everything. As I really don't think there is an issue with his weight and I don't want to traumatize him. However, I also don't want to get down the road and regret that we didn't do all that we could for him either.

His continual congestion bothers me and doesn't seem right. Plus he just seems to get sick too often. I just want to make sure I am not doing anything wrong. I can't wait until he gets old enough to do allergy testing, so I can see if it is something we can treat, or prevent.

Take a look at his new tricks, and accomplishments.

Look who loves to stand and most of the time let go with one hand:

The laundry basket...

The sliding door...The fridge...The end table...He has two teeth.

I was surprised to find two tiny teeth poking through when we went in for our hospital stay follow up and 9 month well baby check up. No wonder he has been so cranky.

Self feeding:

I was finally brave enough to let him feed himself. He sure loved his pancakes.

I wonder what this next month will bring.