Our Itty Bitty plus a pound

Emily's doctor appointment was last week. Both Dave and Debbi had commented that Emily was looking a bit chubbier so I really wasn't worried. After a couple minutes of fuss over wether to weigh her on the regular scale or the digital scale, we put her on the regular one. The doctor let out an audible gasp and stared at Emily in wonder. She had gained 14 ounces-an ounce per day. The doctor said that it was amazing and she couldn't believe it-they had hoped for maybe a third of that. So our Itty Bitty is now 7 months old and weighs 13 pounds 8 ounces-still small but everyone is happy now. I mentally muttered, "of course she gained weight! We're shoveling food down her throat like she may never get a chance to eat again!"

Next, came MY homework check. When Emily was two weeks old, she hadn't gained back her birth weight yet, so they checked my milk to see how many calories per ounce I was producing. I came in at 40 calories-a record high, and the only record I have ever had by the way. Last appointment, they checked my milk again. I came in at 16 calories per ounce. There goes the record. I was told to eat more and feed her more. Last week, I was checked again and came in at 32 calories per ounce. I was told to keep up the good work and enjoy the food. I'll enjoy the food alright, what I don't enjoy is the three pounds I gained in the last two weeks that I'll never get rid of!

Emily is doing great and loves to eat. What she wants most in life, is to have whatever food is on mom and dad's plate. Since she doesn't chew very well yet, she's gonna have to wait. Which makes her, daily, very annoyed. :)

My Itty Bitty

Emily had her six month checkup on Monday. To everyone's surprise, she only gained about half a pound in the last two months. The doctor wasn't concerned, but she DID think that she should've gained more. Babies usually double their birth weight by 6 months. Emily was born at just over 9 pounds so she should weigh about 18 pounds right now. She weighed in at 12 pounds 10 ounces. It's weird to think that she has only gained about 3 and a half pounds since she was born. She is in the 3rd percentile in weight and the 23rd in height. So....she's my itty bitty. We're not really worried, and neither is the doctor-she is meeting all of her developmental benchmarks and is incredibly aware of the world and alert. I HAVE been assigned some homework though. Emily will go back to the doctor in two weeks for a weigh in. She is to eat 3 meals of solid food a day and eat until she refuses to eat another bite. I also have to breastfeed her until she refuses to take it when I offer. (she had been eating two meals a day and breastfeeding until she was no longer interested) I have also been instructed to add more calories to my diet-not a problem! In two weeks we'll weigh her again and if she has gained enough weight ( a few ounces I think) then they will be happy.

Dave and I are already happy with her.

She is such a joy.

We don't care if she's itty bitty!

It runs in the family.