Field Journal: Weeks Nine & Ten

I'm officially getting big. I had my two-month check up and I weigh 10 pounds, up more than four pounds from my birth weight. That's the 10th percentile. I've grown nearly three inches, up to 21 3/4 inches from 19 inches at birth; that's the 15th percentile. My head is still in the 10th percentile, but it's definitely grown, too. So while I'm small, I'm tracking right along my own growth curve and the doctor thinks the Soft Food Source is doing a good job feeding me.

The doctor was really impressed with my strength. I'm small, but mighty! Dr. E. even pointed out my good head control to the student doctor and said how advanced it was. Otherwise, I'm right on target for my age. I can push myself up on my tummy to 45 degrees (90 if I work hard), roll over, smile in response to someone else's smile, and make cooing noises. I can track things 180 degrees with my eyes, too.

Otherwise, I'm healthy. My missing testicle is still missing, but it will hopefully show up soon. I have the opposite of a hernia in my belly button; I forget what it's called, but instead of a bulge, I have a hollow. It's no big deal, though, and doesn't effect my good looks.

I didn't like the shot part of the visit! Mommy and Poppy did a lot of research and decided on a conservative, alternate vaccination schedule. So I got the DTaP shot and the rotavirus oral vaccine. I didn't cry much when I got the shot because I was distracted by eating at the time.

I like eating a lot. In fact, I like it so much I don't care if it comes directly from the SFS or from a bottle. The Hairy Comfortable One feeds me a bottle. He's my primary caregiver now. We get to hang out all day, cool! He takes excellent care of me, although the Mommy tells him he shouldn't let me take all my naps on his chest. But I like it and hey -- I'm so cuddly, who can blame him? And he is comfortable...

One of my favorite things right now is watching my family dance. I really like disco music (particularly the Bee Gees and KC and the Sunshine Band). I move my feet and wave my hands. The Poppy was trying to amuse me one day and started dancing. I smiled and almost laughed! The other night, the Mommy, the Poppy, and my big brother all were dancing around. So fun! I had a great time watching, they're so silly.

My big challenge now is working on sleep at night. I tend to get fussy after 6 pm and sometimes won't fall asleep until 10 or 11. That's way too late for the Mommy, who has to go to work now in the mornings. Poppy is keeping me up more during the day so I'll be tired. I hope this is a stage (so do Mommy and Poppy). Mommy says my big brother had "unhappy hour" when he was little too but eventually grew out of it.

Love and cranky evening kisses,

Charlie