4-Month Checkup

Isabella had her 4-Month checkup yesterday and Dr. Miller said she looks "Marvelous." She measured 25 3/4 inches for height; that puts her between the 90th and 95th percentiles. Her weight was 13 lb 15 oz, which is in the 50th percentile. I can't remember her head circumference offhand, but she was in the 75th percentile.

She had three vaccines at yesterday's appointment, and today she has her first fever. Poor thing. It also seems like her gums have been bothering her (even though we can't see or feel any teeth yet) and making her cranky and hard for her to sleep. Tylenol has been worth it's weight in gold this week at our house!

4 Months

Isabella is 4 months old today! We'll go for her 4-month appointment on Tuesday. I am anxious to see how much she has grown, but not so excited about the shots. I am also expecting the pediatrician to give the ok to start rice cereal.

I have debated back and forth about whether we should start rice cereal at 4 months as our pediatrician normally advises or delaying solids until 6 months. Rice cereal really has no nutritional benefits and is basically a "practice" food. I was leaning towards delaying solids until 6 months and starting with oatmeal rather than rice cereal, but I think I've changed my mind. I really feel like Isabella is ready for something new. She is a very distracted eater and almost seems bored with nursing these days. She's also starting to give cues like showing interest in our food, blowing spit bubbles, and chewing. I decided to practice with a clean baby spoon and she readily opens her mouth when her lips are touched and mimics eating with her mouth and tongue.

We'll go ahead and give it a try, and if it doesn't seem like she's ready we won't force it. Now my problem will be finding time to pump milk to mix the cereal with!

Here are some other thingss Isabella has been up to this past month:
-rolling over both ways
-making lots of noises
-laughing
-grabbing toys (or anything really!) and bringing them to her mouth
-"petting" her furry sisters (she seems particularly fond of Brenna)
-turning herself in the excersaucer
- jumping in the jumperoo
-sitting unassisted for very brief amounts of time