Penelope: One quarter of one year old!
July 29th, 2011 | by TJ |Well, the title of this post basically spoilers the whole thing, doesn’t it? Penny is three months old today.
This month seems kind of blurry. She’s been around long enough that I know how to work all the basics. We haven’t had any house guests this month, so every day has been pretty routine. So, a solid month of waking up, wiping butts, feeding and swaddling. It all kind of blends together, I guess. But let’s see what can of details I can pull out of my ass so she doesn’t look back at this all traumatized some day.
(I hear that a lot, if you do write something or don’t write something, someday your kid will look back at your blog and be like, “Oh, I can’t believe you wrote I used to poop my pants!” or “I can’t believe you totally blanked out my third month of life!” and there will be door slamming and dramatics, but let me tell you Internet, while my ability to be impressed with myself is mighty, I am not so impressed with myself that I think my teen child will give half a crap about my deep thoughts on her babyhood.)
Did I tell you guys how much she weighed when I did this for two months? 9 lbs, 9 oz. Just in case I didn’t, or in case you didn’t memorize Penny’s vital stats. Well, we had to go to the doctor yesterday, and guess how much she weighed?
9 lbs, 9 oz!
We think. We hope. I’m assuming, anyway. The 9 lbs, 9 oz was a naked weight, while her weight yesterday was 9 lbs, 13 oz, fully dressed and in a wet cloth diaper. So I’ve assigned a baby polo, baby jeans and a wet cloth diaper the weight of 4 ounces and NOTHING MORE, in order to state that she apparently has not gained any weight, but at least has not lost any, and if you happen to know the exact weight of a baby polo plus baby jeans plus a wet cloth diaper, I don’t want to hear it, unless you’re about to say, “Wait, wait! I know for a fact that a baby polo plus baby jeans plus a wet cloth diaper only weighs two ounces!” I’d be willing to entertain that interjection.
“I’M STILL QUITE WEE BUT MAKE UP FOR IT IN VOLUME.”
So, why were we at the doctor, you haven’t asked and probably weren’t going to?
I had to make what I assume is the phone call all new parents eventually make: “I need to make an appointment for my daughter. What’s wrong? Um… she’s different than she was before. I don’t know. I’m not really sure?”
Penny’s always been a pretty happy baby, as you’ve seen from the pictures I’ve posted here, but about a week and a half ago, she just started being miserable. It started just in the evenings – when Phil came home, she’d get really fussy. Then she started to have some struggles with eating – pulling off and screaming before she’d even get started, so that the whole feeding process became an elaborate routine of trying, calming, trying, pacifier, trying, pacifier, Indian Jones-type move where the pacifier got switched out for boob. And we weren’t 100% certain, but it was confirmed at the doctor – she hadn’t gotten any bigger in a month.
Our entire job is to GROW HER, and it wasn’t working. Plus, she was just so unhappy. All the time. It moved from just fussiness in the evenings to crying whenever she was awake. I felt like a dumbass, going to the doctor and saying “Well, she cries a lot.” But really, the last 1 to 2 weeks have been a whole different Penny.
I admit that I was hoping she had an ear infection, because it would be something, and she would take medicine and then be back to normal Penny, but it wasn’t. We’re not entirely sure what is going on, but we left with a prescription for Zantac for suspected reflux, which does seem like a good bet. We’re going back next Friday to follow up, to see if there’s been any improvement, and hopefully a couple of ounces packed on. If not, then the ped said she’d consider a gastroenterologist next, but reflux really does seem to fit, so I’m hoping to avoid that step.
Anyway, how about some not-terrorist-baby-related updates?
“Update: This is my newest expression. I call it, ‘Disappointed Reproach.’”
Special skills: So, Phil and I stopped reading all of the weekly milestone emails.
“By now, your baby can–”
No, she can’t.“At 3 months, your baby will be–”
Nope, she’s not.“This month, you should notice that–”
We notice nothing!
Penny’s taking her time on some of the two and three month milestones. She smiles and makes some sounds, but she doesn’t laugh or make many different sounds. She doesn’t reach out for Phil and I, and we’re not totally sure she recognizes us. She doesn’t track too well with her eyes, and has never grabbed and held a toy of her own volition. She’s actually pretty uninterested in toys, books, or anything. She likes to look around the room, sometimes. She’s batted the toys on her activity gym once or twice, but I’m pretty sure it was an accident.
I say all this, but I’m zero percent concerned. Every time I’ve mentioned to my mom that Penny’s delayed on her milestones, she starts talking over me with “Every baby is different!” or “She’s just perfect the way she is!,” as if trying to overcome my worry.
I KNOW those things. I’m NOT worried. The thing is, though, that if she missed a couple milestones here and there, I’d subscribe to “every baby is different.” She misses almost all of them, though – especially the motor skills ones. I don’t think this means ANYTHING negative about Penny, and I’m sure that within a year at the VERY OUTSIDE, she’ll be completely caught up on all milestones.
I do think, though, that it makes a case for the fact that 37 weeks is really NOT as full term as we’ve been lead to believe that it is. It’s full term in physical development, maybe – lungs and ability to regulate body temperature and all of that – in most cases. But Penny spent over a week in the NICU for breathing issues, and now she’s tracking about 3-4 weeks behind on all of her milestones.
I’m not WORRIED. I’m just NOTING.
In summation, my baby has no skills.
“DISAPPOINTED REPROACH.”
Most annoying features: THE DROOL HAS ARRIVED. Also, see above – serious case of Hell recently.
Most adorable features: When she’s not miserable, she smiles – a LOT. That’s pretty cute. She says “oooooo” and “geeee.” Still locked in deep friendship with Bed Frame and greets the furniture with a giant grin every morning. Actually seemed to play in the bath a few nights ago, kicking her leg.
Dislikes: Letting us eat. When the car stops at red lights. Being laid down to have her diaper changed.
Likes: Her dad. Riding in her swing. There’s been a return to being swaddled at night, which she enjoys. Still loves baths, the Penny dance, and Cee Lo. The word “butt.” Songs that include the word “butt.” Such as “What what? Wipe your butt. What what? Wipe your butt.”
Preferred methods of soothing: Standing and swaying – Phil’s method. Tucking and bundling – my method. Neither person’s method works for the other.
Most desirable features: Down to one night time wake up. Can be counted on for two good stretches in the night. Still mostly quiet during public outings. Charms the hell out of waitresses.
“Man, if I died, you would clean. up.”
“Oh, hell yes I would.”
Favorite Parent: The Penny has no favorites right now and spreads her terror equally.
Actually, she still prefers Phil unless she’s hungry.
Like I said way above, our days are basically all the same. We wake up together (yes, we still sleep in the same bed together) and she is all smiles. I try to enjoy those few moments, because she’s got Hell. The rest of the day is your standard cycles of eat, play, nap, though recently there’s been a lot less play and nap and a lot more “HOLD ME OR I WILL SCREAM” and “DON’T DO LAUNDRY OR I WILL SCREAM” and “STOP NOT LOOKING AT ME, OR I WILL SCREAM.” Hopefully that will clear up a bit with the Zantac.
So, here is Penny at 3 months, with the introduction of a new bear – a University of Maryland bear from my friend Chris, who obviously saw the need for some mother-representation in these pictures.
No special skills, my ass: UNgrowing hair. Anyone else got UNgrowing hair? I DIDN’T THINK SO.
I’m sorry for the crappy cell phone quality of her three month picture. The ones I took with the actual camera came out like this:
So. Three months. She’s got a sad case of uncomfortable Hell and a new found refusal to look at the camera and be adorable. And hey, I just got a reminded call about her professional pictures scheduled for tomorrow morning. So, that’s going to be awesome.
Blissfully unaware of how I dress her and also that she’s about to get doctor-poked.
For reference:
No months
One month
Two months
If you flip through those pictures really fast, you can watch her grow very slightly in incredibly slow motion and then stop growing at all!
Tags: angry baby, babies, breastfeeding issues, reflux, someone's going to take personal offense to this, the Penny sensation sweeping the nation, this baby has hell, unbearable cuteness, you guys I've got to hurry she's crying right now
By Jessica on Jul 29, 2011
Yeah… we had that exact same thing around the exact same time. Basically content-ish baby turned into crazy baby all thanks to lovely acid reflux. The meds helped, but I do think a lot of it was just that my kid started being aware enough to let us know how discontented he was because it turns out that’s his personality. AWESOME. It has finally started to let up… just now… and he just turned 2.
I totally should have lied to give you better news. Okay, let’s try this again:
My kid had a similar situation and it turned out to be reflux and he went on Zantac and after that our whole life was sunshine and rainbows!!! :)
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By nonsoccermom on Jul 29, 2011
Poor Penny! Poor you! I hope her case of Hell passes soon, that sounds terrible for all involved.
She is so, so precious, though. She really is, I’m not just saying that! And I’m quite sure she’ll start gaining plenty of weight as soon as you get her Hell cleared up.
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By Jeannie on Jul 29, 2011
My son was born at 37 weeks and also didn’t hit any of those milestones in the innernet pages. He had more than made up for it by a year old though, so you’re right not to worry. Hope the Zantac works and you get your happy baby back!
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By PinkieBling on Jul 29, 2011
The first pic with the bears, OMG. OMG, TJ!
I hope her hell goes away soon. She’s the cutest little victim of demonic possession I’ve ever seen!
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By Liz B. on Jul 29, 2011
I’m sure a million people will tell you this, so let me be among the first (today): It’s pretty well established that babies develop along a timeline that seems to be more accurate if you count from conception rather than birth. That is, a kid born the better part of a month before its due-date is probably going to run about a month behind on the “accomplishment” scale. As long as she’s progressing, don’t worry about whether she’s in the “right” month for it (as you are wisely not).
The lack of weight gain is of more concern, of course, but it sounds like your doctor has that well in hand. My youngest had pretty bad reflux right from birth (seriously, he threw up about half of everything he ate — WHATEVER he ate — for over six months) but he did finally outgrow it, and now he’s a perfectly normal 3-year-old who only eats vegetables if he’s standing next to me on the kitchen stool snitching them as I slice them.
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By Kero on Jul 29, 2011
I’ll start by saying I’m truly sorry for the PITA stuff you’re dealing with…
And go on to say “WTF?! Reflux meds for infants? WHY THE #^(% wasn’t I TOLD about these?!? Premies are KNOWN for reflux- it would make sense to tell the poor mother of said children of this instead of making them suffer through it, making half assed best ‘guesses’ while they’re sleep deprived and completely bewildered as to how to make their child stop squalling. I’m going to glare at my son’s doctor when we see him for his 3yr check up (in less than 2 months) til he questions his sanity. THEN lay it on him. (4 months of colic can make a woman grumpy for YEARS) /snort
Oh, and she’s just waiting to surprise you ^.~
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By Tara on Jul 29, 2011
I am oh-so-with you on the development. Eriana is GREAT and so wonderful and I think she is doing fine. But I do struggle with the worry (can you teach me how NOT to do that?) and especially since my friends who had babies the same week as I had Eriana have babies that are way ahead of her. So I have to have to have to keep reminding myself that she was 3 weeks early and that even at 7 months that matters. (Also, getting familiar with the Wonder Weeks helped me realize that those 3 weeks matter, because you are supposed to count those for those milestones!)
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By Carolyn on Jul 29, 2011
Yeah, those milestones are all calculated based on 40 weeks of gestation, so even if lungs are fully functioning at 37, you still have to count your baby as a preemie when you look at anything standardized :) My little guy was born at 36 weeks 4 days and started reflux meds pretty early on (the Zantac worked moderately well, but Prilosec worked even better! So if you see SOME success but aren’t totally happy with it, let your doctor know, because there are all sorts of classes of anti-reflux meds that they can try!) Good luck with it, and I hope she feels better soon!! (Also, I took a picture of my baby yesterday and thought, “Oh look, he’s making the Penny-smirk!” So she is officially a celebrity to me!)
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By Gaby on Jul 29, 2011
Oh, development timelines…my son was born at 40 weeks, but he still wasn’t doing everything according to the timelines, especially eating. He frequently gagged or vomited on solids, and I was trying to be all “Well, bottle (or boob–mine never worked well enough) is all that’s necessary for the first year of life! La de da” about it, but then I saw on freaking facebook that a friend’s baby who was a mere month older than mine was eating waffles. Yes, multiple waffles. And my poor guy had literally vomited on a grain of rice. Singular.
So, at his one year appointment, I expressed my concern and the doc said that it was probably ok, but she’d make a referral to a speech and swallowing doctor. Funny enough, that office never called me back, but my son has suddenly totally figured out eating! Within the last two weeks, his anatomy (or something) got with the program, and he can eat like a champion. The kid ate gumbo (with rice!) the other day and LOVED it. So, yeah, due to an irresponsible specialist never following up plus time, my kid has reached his milestone AND we saved on a co-pay. Win-win.
All that to say, good job for being keyed into how your kid is–you knew that something wasn’t right (diagnosis: Hell), you got it checked out, and you know that there’s reasons for her not following the Baby-center prescribed timelines. You’re doing great, lady.
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By Ashley on Jul 29, 2011
She is so freakin’ adorable. I don’t know how you stand it.
When my daughter was a baby, she once lost weight between check-ups. She was diagnosed as failure to thrive. Failure to thrive! Did you know that’s a thing? They put it in her chart and everything! Way to make me feel like a complete failure at parenthood, Medical Establishment. (She’s fine now. It was apparently just some fluke thing. I was still utterly traumatized.)
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By Life of a Doctor's Wife on Jul 29, 2011
Adorable, in all her disapproval.
I hope that the Zantac works some immediate magic and you get your smiling baby back.
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By Peregwyn on Jul 29, 2011
I noticed in the picture with Phil, that she is holding her head up, which is totally a skill!
Good luck with the Zantac.
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By Laura on Jul 29, 2011
I just have to say that there is something about her that makes her THE cutest baby ever. I just love her expressions and just want to eat her up when I see pictures (and I’m not normally one to go crazy over babies).
Laura
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By Brooke on Jul 29, 2011
Aw, so cute! I’m a big fan of “disappointed repproach.” But then, I’m not really an unfan of any of her expressions. I hope the Zantac helps with the Hell.
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By BBKF on Jul 29, 2011
I don’t know if your pediatrician talked with you about the possibility of lactose intolerance in premies, but it’s something to keep in mind if the reflux meds don’t help.
On a lighter note: Penny is positively the most adorable baby ever! You can tell she’s going to be such a fascinating young lady from those facial expressions! If everyone’s “dissappointed reproach” face looked like hers, this world would be a MUCH happier (and cuter) place! :)
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By Halyn on Jul 29, 2011
My first thought was teething, which was reinforced by the arrival of The Drool. It’s a bit early, but could she be teething already?
Not that you asked for, or care about, my opinion, I just couldn’t help myself. It’s good that you aren’t worried. Babies are weird, and moms who are prone to worry over weirdness have a really rough time of it.
Also, your baby is ridiculously cute.
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By Kayley M. on Jul 29, 2011
I think Penny is just so adorable! And Ava does too. I think they could really be internet best friends! Ava was born 4/24 at 35w 4d, and I keep comparing them. Everything is pretty similar, except no issues gaining here, A’s a healthy 14 pounds! She also has no skills, except she’s started the spit bubbles. Oh well, they’ll get there!
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By Nancy P on Jul 29, 2011
ohhh I do sympathize on the Hell condition. My son had it too and then gave it to me. I hope the Zntac works for her.
On another note, I know I say this all the time and but I swear Penny is just about the cutest baby EVER. (I can say that because my boys are not babies anymore) :)
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By Home Sweet Sarah on Jul 29, 2011
My mom was “unconcerned” (read: concerned) about LG not making much eye contact around 2 months. There was a lot of, “She’s fine, MOM” going on. No need to discuss that my daughter is cross-eyed. She’s barely three months old! Oh! And the last time my mom was over, she said, “Oh, her belly button went in. Your doctor was right.” as if the pediatrician was lying or didn’t know what she was talking about? Again, the baby is three months old.
Gah, sorry, I feel like your blog is my own personal mom venting platform!
Penny is looking cute, as per the usual :-)
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By April on Jul 29, 2011
My son was 2.5 weeks early by csection because my bp spazzed. It really does sound like reflux. The Zantac helped. Sort of. What actually seemed to help more was propping him up on a pillow to nurse or kind of cradling him in the crook of my arm while sitting propped up to eat. I’m pretty large chested so there was some degree of “flexibility” to work with there. Also sitting him propped in his infant carrier after feedings if it wasn’t night. To encourage it to go down instead of erupting 5 minutes after he was done. Also helping? Caving into my mother and giving him “heavier” stuff like cereal in moderation that stayed down a little better. If it’s any encouragement he finally outgrew it somewhere between 6-8 months. He never really outgrew the HELL though. He’s 5. It’s looking less and less likely. He’s just kind of high maintenance. Thank goodness his baby sister is laid back. ;-)
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By Kirsty on Jul 29, 2011
My elder daughter (born at 36ish wks) was behind on every single motor skills milestone till she was about 18 months (didn’t sit unaided till 8 months, didn’t pull up to standing till past her first birthday, didn’t roll over till 7 months, didn’t walk till 17 months… you get the picture). It DID kind of freak me out, so I’m impressed that you’re able to not worry too much. Now, of course, she’s 9 and a half and about to enter 5th grade. And swims and dances and studies trapeze at circus school and speaks two languages and snarks and temper-tantrums like a real teenager… *sigh*
Penny’s adorable! The reflux thing sounds likely – both my girls had it (and my elder daughter also struggled with weight gain till she was about 12 months).
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By Leslie on Jul 29, 2011
Let me say that I LOVE that you don’t take photos of her screaming. My first child (who is now 29 years old, a high school teacher and married mother of two) screamed pretty much almost non-stop for the first ten months of her life and failed to gain much weight along the way.
I tried to never take pics of her unless she was happy (extremely fleeting moments) and now her baby book is full of adorable photos and she refuses to accept that I was a martyr for ten months.
Of course that was back in the age of dinosaurs when we didn’t have digital cameras and every click of the shutter was $$$ before we ever saw it. But still …
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By Kayeri on Jul 30, 2011
Hm… Well, from my experience with my now 9-year-old, I can suggest a little simethicone. Jess got a lot of gas when she was quite young and she would cry and cry until we finally figured it out. That stuff saved our sanity! Even as an infant, she figured out it made her feel better, too, because it got to the point where she’d open her mouth when she saw the dropper.
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By Lara on Jul 30, 2011
I’m here to leave my usual “She’s SO CUTE!” comment but also to add that in the one where Phil is holding her, I really see you. I always see a lot of Phil, but that one is all you.
And I hope the hell passes quickly.
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By Laura Lou on Jul 30, 2011
ooh, ooh, me, me! Both of my sons have had the UNgrowing hair! I finally determined that their heads were growing so fast that their hair just couldn’t keep up. They looked like they had permanently receeding hairlines until things slowed down a bit. So even if Penny’s not gaining weight, I bet her head’s growing just fine.
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By Rhonda on Jul 31, 2011
My niece was pretty much bald until about 2 years old. Poor thing had a funny looking head too.
I think you absolutley have to count Penny’s expressions as special skills. Not everyone can do them.
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By Farrell on Aug 1, 2011
My baby, born at 35 weeks, had acid reflux MAJORILY. We tried Zantac; then Priolsec (which she projectile vomitted across the room); then Prevacid. I also switched her formula a couple of times to two different Soy brands. Plus, the no jiggling, bouncing, etc. after eating and trying to keep her propped up. It took me a lot to convince my doctor; all I knew was that this was a baby and drinking a bottle is like the #1 most comforting things babies do and look forward to and yet mine was withering and screaming in pain so something was definitely NOT right.
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By Farrell on Aug 1, 2011
PS – How do you get your “comments” link to show up in Google reader?
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