One-month checkup

Dear Vinny,

On Tuesday you had your one-month checkup at the pediatrician. The good news is that you are now over ten pounds! We are very pleased with that. You continue to be about average on the growth charts, except for your head, which has grown more than the rest of your body. Because of that, they have to make sure that there's nothing wrong with your head, so we have an appointment for an ultrasound of your head on Tuesday. Personally, I just think you have a really big brain.

You also seem to have acid reflux, so we have started you on some medication for that. The problem is that it tastes really nasty, so we are trying to give it to you in the middle of a feeding so that you won't have to taste it so much. You still hate it, though. We squirt it into your mouth and it makes you frown and cry. I'm sorry that it tastes so nasty, but hopefully it is worth it. We should know in two weeks.

Yesterday, we went to another appointment with the speech-language pathologist regarding your ability to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time. Your ability to suck is improving, although you still get tired after about 10-15 minutes of sucking. You are such a sweet baby that you charmed the SLP once again. I think she was sad to see us go.

Also yesterday, we noticed that you are starting to notice more details in our faces and expressions. Sometimes you imitate our facial expressions if we do them slowly and close enough to your face. Daddy stuck out his tongue at you, and you stuck yours out too. I tried it and it worked for me too.

You slept for over four hours straight on Wednesday night and last night too. You seem to really sleep well if I hold you in my arms in the bed. I don't mind doing it except that my arm is a little sore by morning. But if it allows us all to sleep a little longer, I think it is worth it.

This morning you were very hungry and cranky because we kept misreading your hunger cues as something else. But finally we fed you enough and you settled down. You're sleeping right now and you've been sleeping for nearly four hours. You will probably wake up and feel hungry again soon.

Love,
Mommy