the excitement of discovery

Do you think it's too early for lessons?
 

Milking it (working title: You do the math)

We took Calvin to his 2 month well child appointment today where he proceeded to wow his pediatrician. When Calvin was born he was in the 20th percentile for weight, 25th for length, and 15th for head circumference. Today he weighed in at 12lbs 10oz and measured almost 24 inches long, placing him squarely in the 75th percentile for both, and the 40th percentile for head circ. The doctor was impressed with his curve on the growth chart and said that some kids remain within 5 degrees of their birth percentile for life. Not Calvin - he wanted to test our calculus by creating his own curve on the growth chart. In addition to his monster growth rate (not all that uncommon for breastfed babies, really, but we like to feel proud when we can) Calvin got a clean bill of health - no plagiocephaly (a.k.a. flat head), the baby acne is clearing up well, and he sounds and looks good (we already knew that!). We did talk to the pediatrician at length about our concerns regarding Calvin's seeming discomfort at feedings. The general feeling is that the trouble can be attributed either to a protein intolerance, which we will be testing for early next week, or to an overabundance of milk supply (either way we can blame it on Cortney). So, with some possible answers and remedies in hand we head into Calvin's third month! Oh, and as far as vaccines go, Calvin would like to say no thank you next time, but, of all his vocal achievements, today's sad "why am I hurting?" whimper cry has by far had the most effect on his parents. So far he has convinced them to allow extra nap time, feeding time, and bath time, and an entire evening of cuddles instead of being put to bed in his bassinet. We guess we had better harden our soft touches soon - or at least before he can drive.

To Calvin, who is two months old today

Your second month was equally as amazing as your first, if not more so. You have experienced many new things. In July you went on your first vacation when we took you to Harbor Springs and Petoskey, Michigan. Then in August we took you to Holland, Michigan, where you got your first feel of lake waves washing over your toes. Of course you also went to the Art Fair in Ann Arbor and enjoyed meeting lots of relatives on many occasions. These are just some of the things that we have been impatient to share with you since the day we knew about you, and there is so much more to come.
Your daily life continues to change, too. You've taught us a routine now: You start your mornings very early, playing with dad at the break of dawn; you spend your days with mom, eating, sleeping, and playing; in the evenings the three of us play together before we give you a bath and read you to sleep for the night. You always wake up at least once before morning, but usually go right back to sleep after eating. You continue to grow with a speed that awes us and you now weigh 12lbs, 10oz and are over 23 inches long. You are still a strong boy, able to push yourself forward and actually cover ground. We have to watch you every minute! Your mind is growing strong, too, and you have discovered many new things about yourself: You have begun to kick and swing at your toys in deliberate fashion; you will grab things that come into your path; perhaps the most amazing discovery to you is your voice, and the wonderful and loud new sounds it can make!
There is another side to growing, too, and though you are strong, healthy, and happy, you struggle with some discomforts that we are trying hard to name and fix. medicine has helped with the reflux disease that plagues you, and now we are trying to find the food in mom's diet that is causing you to be uncomfortable. Seeing you hurting and unhappy brings on terrible feelings of frustration and misery when we are unable to fix it, but we are trying so hard and, through it all, you are strong and brave and want to be a happy baby boy. You smile all the time and your giggling, gurgling, and cooing has an incredible way of making both your parents melt at any time, day or night. You are beautiful in every way.

Yes, he has grown

We often comment to each other about how big Calvin seems to be, but those comments take on real meaning when we do some side by side picture comparisons.

3 days versus 7 weeks, 5 days 

 
2 weeks, 1 day versus 8 weeks 

Growth spurts - several of them.

Well, Calvin is eight weeks old today.  According to our own measurements at home Calvin is hovering somewhere around 12 pounds and over 23 inches.  He is already in a size 2 diaper (our sadness at his outgrowing the newborn size is just a distant memory at this point) and is wearing mostly 3-6 month clothing.  Will someone please tell the kid that eight weeks is not the same as three months?  It's not even quite two months!  It is hard to remember that he was below average size when he came home eight weeks ago. 
In fact, today was the first time that Calvin was called "big."  Cortney was in the waiting room at her allergist's office today when another bored patient asked how old "the cute baby" was.  When Cortney replied that he was eight weeks old today (what mother doesn't enjoy attention being lavished on their baby?), the woman was awed that he was "such a big baby for his age" (insert gasp here).  Ever the proud mother, Cortney came back with the information that he was only 6 and half pounds when he came home, to which the offending woman replied "well he sure is fattening up, isn't he?  You'll want to slow him down a little..." (insert snottiness here - yes, snottiness).  Too proud to be daunted, Cortney happily informed the woman that a quickly growing baby is an indication of good milk, good environment, and good genes, but even with such reinforcement, Calvin pouted all afternoon.