4 month check up and adventures in eating

Adelaide went on Monday for her 4 month check up (although she's now 4 and 1/2 months old) and things went very smoothly. She weighed in at 15 lbs (75th percentile), 25 inches (70th percentile) and a head that's a mere 60th percentile. The doc said she's superb, that she's got an amazingly strong torso for her age, and that she should be rolling over and sitting up very soon. He said it helps that she's pretty proportional. Those kids with ginormous heads have a harder time understandably. She was once again super happy for the whole visit until the shots came of course. Rocky took the role of comforter this time. Her face turned red and she began to wail, which is heartbreaking for a kiddo that usually just whimpers when unhappy, but only cried for about 30 seconds or so. Rocky managed to make her smile at him and look at pictures around the room almost immediately after the shots. He worked his daddy magic.

Adelaide's started consolidating her naps with a really long one in the morning and usually just one more long one in the afternoon. This is all subject to change at any given moment of course. She's been waking up more often in the middle of the night recently. I'm not sure what's going on there but the pediatrician said he think she needs solid food, that this is common with kids that are ready to make that transition So we gave it a go.

Why does feeding a kid for the first time seem like such a dramatic event? Sure it was interesting because it was new for all of us. Kid was sitting in her bumbo with the tray, all bibbed up and ready to go. About half the food went in her mouth while most ended up elsewhere in the vicinity. Nice. Rocky's OCD really came out. We did decide we should take some photos though they are of course disgusting. Enjoy the first of what will probably be many photos of Adelaide with food all over her.



So not only are we feeding the girl now, but I'm also being an ambitious mom and making all of her food. I spent a little while the other night washing, peeling, cooking, and pureeing sweet potatoes and apples. I've got to admit it made me feel very accomplished and a little old fashioned. I'm storing the food by freezing it in ice cube trays and then putting the food cubes in ziploc bags. It's super easy to get out the right portions to heat up. Another plus of making my own food is that I enjoy eating the leftovers. Canned baby food just tastes nasty.

So far all that's passed through Adelaide's lips has been rice cereal and sweet potatoes. She had no issue at all with the cereal but the potatoes were another story. To me it seems like it would be the other way around. Bowl full of gray bland mush or bright orange yumminess? But the first time sweet potatoes hit her lips she made the most horrid face and slammed her arms down on the tray repeatedly in frustration. After the first two bites she got into it though and joyfully ate the rest. Right now we're aiming for 2 "meals" a day-- the first of cereal and the second of potatoes.

Adelaide's working on rolling over now. She rolled over from her tummy to her back about 7 times yesterday, only once in front of Rocky so he doesn't believe me. She's such a tough kid but doesn't like the feeling of losing control. I don't know where she gets that from :). So anytime she starts to fall over, she usually stops herself by correcting the position of her hands. Nice but very frustrating when I'm hoping she'll learn a new skill. I know the day will come soon enough.