Well, it's been 9 weeks and our new life is finally starting to feel like a real life again and not just some some strange aberration. I zip out 2-3 freelance articles a day while scarfing down salads at lunch and banana bread at breakfast. I make sure Evelyn gets a little tummy time (despite her wails of protest) during play time and I try to get her to bat at various toys. Mostly I'm just happy if she waves her arms and grins. When she loses interest, I read to her, and what I read to her depends entirely on the day. Since today is grocery day, for instance, I just finished reading her the Mirin Glazed Salmon recipe from Nigella Lawson. Yesterday, because I was tired of the "Icky Sticky Frog" and the "Icky Sticky Anteater" (yes, they both have basically the same title and are about various sticky-tongued creatures' eating habits), I read Evelyn a chapter or two from East of Eden. She shows equal amounts of interest in all these books. I read that babies just like the sound of their mother's voice and, since I rarely go around the house talking to myself, decided reading anything I could grab would suffice. It seems to. I think she seems to prefer those books with poetic cadences, but maybe that's just my preferences coming through.
Apparently, though, I need to start encouraging more tummy time and other active types of play (despite her squalls). At her last appointment Tuesday morning, she weighed in at 12 lbs, 13 ounces and 22 inches long. Apparently, these measurements put her in the 50th percentile for height and the 99th for weight! Our doctor told us that if Craig and I were overweight or if Evelyn was on formula, she'd tell us to monitor her food intake and weight closer. But as it is, she said I just have particularly rich milk and Evelyn's weight is entirely healthy. Unfortunately, that evening I read an article claiming that babies who weigh more tend to develop such motor skills as turning over and crawling later than other babies. Apparently that additional weight is a bit much for them. Which could explain why Evelyn gets so worn out when I put her on her tummy.
I don't know, I think she is just fine. I read that all those milestones are basically just averages, and that all babies catch up with one another eventually. I like her rolls! (I know you do too!)
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's best to take those articles written by the "experts" with a grain of salt. Sometimes they're helpful, but a lot of times they just serve to frustrate and worry anxious parents needlessly. Sounds like a healthy baby, and you're doing all kinds of life enhancing things with her. You're doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the other two posts!!! both of my babies were fat and once they started crawling it all just fell off :)
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