Bennett's 4 month check up

Bennett turned four months old on the 5th! As of tomorrow, he is 9 weeks adjusted age.

I took him to the pediatrician yesterday for his 4 month check up. He weighed in at 10 lbs 5.5 ounces and 22'' long! He's gained over 4 lbs and 4 inches since he came home!!! He moved up on the preemie growth chart from the 25th percentile to the 50th percentile! He is now "proportionate" in his weight and length. This is his last plot on the preemie growth chart though. At 6 months, they will start plotting him on the regular growth chart full term babies go by, so he'll have to start his ascent anew!

I was a little concerned because he's only gained 6 ounces in the past 2 weeks (since his pulmonology appointment), so we're going to monitor that. His doc said he may be burning more calories breathing without the oxygen. Or, it could be the reflux (which I think it is because I've noticed him refluxing more and exhibiting signs of pain) - he doesn't eat much. The "rule of thumb" is that a baby should eat 2.5 ounces per every pound they weigh every day. So he should be eating 25 ounces a day and never comes near that. I'm lucky to be able to get 20 down him. But still, you'd think with the fortifier he would be gaining at least the 1/2 to 1 ounce a day that is "normal" for babies. Anyway, we'll keep an eye on it. Its not too worrisome, since his overall rate of growth is excellent.


Developmentally, he's hitting all the markers for a 3 month old except he doesn't make a high-pitched shrieking sound. His developmental nurse said that often babies on oxygen don't do this for a long time. Considering he is only 9 weeks adjusted age, thats pretty good!!! He is smiling more and more these days - it melts me every time!!! Sure, a baby's smile will warm any mother's heart, but its even more special when you wait soooo long to see it. Today when I got home, I walked up to him and started talking to him and he lit up! He gave me the biggest cheesiest grin I'd ever seen from him!!! He is also "talking" quite a bit these days making all kinds of baby noises. SO precious! I think he is also close to rolling over because he rolls side to side on his activity mat. Today he figured out he could kick the rattle and was kicking it over and over. I just love how much of a baby he is blossoming into!!

He got a bunch of vaccinations too. Of course, he screamed like a drama queen when he got the shots, but conked right out afterward. I gave him some prophylactic tylenol so he wouldn't get a high fever like he did last time he got shots, and it worked!!!

So that is it for now. My boy never ceases to amaze me in how strong his is. I take him back to see his pulmonologist on the 25th. We still need to get the sleep study done to see if we can discontinue the oxygen completely. And we'll get the apnea monitor readings to see if his reflux is causing him more problems than are apparent.

Here are some fun pics!!

This is the only way Bennett will nap longer than 30 mins....


This is the closest I have gotten to capturing his smile. This was the start of a smile. When he smiles, his whole face lights up!


At the State Fair


I think this is the most hilarious picture EVER!!!! This pretty accurately depicts my life right now, he he. Exhausted with two kids clinging to me!


My babies giving me love


A family, self-portrait, he he he

Mommy and Bennett before I went to the Celine Dion concert!


Carter is really into organizing things, lining things up, and "building" things lately



Thanks for looking!!!