20 lbs in 20 months

Healthy as a horse...well for now anyways.

Seems Harrison is completely on the mend from last weeks trip to Gundersen...(a sigh of relief for mommy & daddy).

Friday Harrison had his 17 month WELL baby check-up. He passed all the developmental milestones of a 20 month old (scoring low in communication, but still passed). His primary doctor, Dr. Gerhard is very pleased (we are too). He also tested negative for any early signs of autism.

Doug and I placed bets on Harrison's length for Fridays appt. I guessed 31 inches and daddy guessed 31.5 inches. It's no surprise mommy was right on at 31 inches. He is a full half inch taller than his last measurement at April's well baby check. He also tipped the scale at 23 lbs 5 ounces. This means he is full 20 lbs 2 ounces more than his birth weight. Without adjusting his age for the growth chart, length wise Harrison is in the third percentile and is in the tenth percentile for his weight. Dr. Gerhard said he couldn't be happier with Harrison's growth, "he's exactly where he should be...he is long and lean, he's not too thin and he is not too heavy, he is perfect." The doctor's order is to keep doing whatever we are doing.

Eating habits are changing. Dr. Gerhard asked about Harrison's eating. I said more recently it has been changing. It's not the fact if he likes/doesn't like a food, it just depends if he is in the mood for it. Dr. Gerhard said that picky eating peaks at Harrison's age. He suggested that we don't make special meals for Harrison that he eats whatever we are eating PERIOD. He also suggested that Harrison only eat snacks in his high chair (with the exception of outings or going to the store). The problem we have been facing lately is that Harrison is becoming more of a grazer when it comes to eating and the three square meals are falling to the weigh side. We need to eliminate the grazing and keep snacking to a minimum per Dr. Gerhard. Though Harrison's eating habits are not effecting his growth now, it will in the future. The doctor said that grazers either become overweight or underweight if their nutrition is not monitored.

Shots are not fun. Harrison received his last three required vaccines required before kindergarten There will be no more shots for his 2 year, 3 year, and 4 year appts. I guess this vaccination round went out with a bang, spiking a fever yesterday evening (all better today). Harrison will see Dr. Gerhard next for his 2 year well baby check-up the first week in December. If all goes well Harrison will not be required to see a doctor for four months with the exception of his immunologist in September. After his 2 year well baby check, visits become yearly.

As each month passes, we see the gap in prematurity getting smaller and smaller. The fact that Harrison is on the growth chart (and has been) for several months is reassuring. Many pre-term babies don't hit the growth chart or development milestones by Harrison's age, but he is. Dr Gerhard said, "looking at him, you would never know he was 11 weeks premature, he is doing just wonderful."

I have to emphasize how much I value Dr. Gerhard's opinion, thoughts, ideas, expertise---well EVERYTHING. I spoke to him about last week's trip with Dr. Steir (which I blogged about as well). I was very frank in telling him how much I didn't appreciated Dr. Steir conclusion that his inconsolable crying was a temper tantrum. Dr. Gerhard said, "you know him better than anyone else, you don't know how to help him when he can't tell you what is wrong." He went on to say that Harrison could have been suffering from some severe headaches or hurt himself and we were unaware. He explained that his own daughter has gone through same things we described. It felt so good to be heard.

Harrison recieved his "Reach Out & Read," book at the appt. as well as bath time turtle to make up for shots from the staff at Gundersen. On our way home Harrison picked out a giant dump trunk at Target (which he pushed all the up to the check-out). It seems he made out pretty well for the day.

**Don't forget to view the newest video clip(s) below. As much as I am not a fan of all the hype with applications for cell phones, with daddy's new phone we are actually taking video and posting it too.