Remember this skinny minnie?
Did I ever tell you I wanted to name her Minnie? Buck didn't.
We've been busy:
Spending quality time with Aunt Bibi and Ella before she left on her mission in Italy
loading up on carbs (like Ella's left over Olive Garden)
In this picture she is showing off her new skill. Blowing her snot in and out of her nose. It makes for some darling faces.
and eating sweets!
She loved playing with vanilla pudding.
Guess what? It worked! We went in for our WIC appointment on Thursday and Millie gained about a pound! Aunt Bibi bough her some pediasure earlier in the week, and I am sure that contributed to the weight gain more than spaghetti and pudding.
The WIC nutritionist was shocked with how great Millie looked, and was almost hesitant to give us pediasure. Well the jokes on her. Millie won't drink milk at all now! She loves pediasure, especially vanilla. Is this my child? So we qualified for WIC and got pediasure for the next three months. That should be enough time to grow some more teeth, gain some weight, and prepare to move.
The WIC nutritionist was nice, but I do have to say I could tell she wasn't loving her job. Don't you hate that? I was almost offended by one thing she said to me. She said that she guesses they calculated my due date wrong since there is no way Millie was a 23 weeker! Let me tell you, I went in for an ultrasound as soon as I found out I was pregnant. Those early ultrasounds are super accurate since babies grow at the same rate that early. I mean really? All the medical attention we got when she was born, and even today, and this nutritionist tried to tell me that? I was really taken back.
Did you know I got an ultrasound the day before she was born? It is kind of strange looking back at that one and having a real picture to look at of her just the next day. Three weeks before she was born, we found out we were having a girl, so we have a whole collage of ultrasound pictures from then.
Millie is doing super. She gets up, without holding on to anything (often in the middle of the room) to a standing position. On Saturday she took one step twice! I was getting worried since she still doesn't like to push that toy, but I feel much better now. Why can't I get these things on camera? She is also wonderful at everyones favorite: the back arch. Goodness, this girl can force you to put her down! Did I mention I'm scared to take her on the airplane? I keep hearing to give her benadryl, but the package says for 6+ years. Has anyone tried? I'm scared to ask her doctor how to drug her enough to sleep for my comfort. I just don't see that going over well.
We have a feeding specialist visiting us this week, which I am really excited for. I am still waiting for the speech therapist and aquatics person to call me. I can't wait to get this girl in the water!
On a personal note, I have been so slack lately. I made the major mistake of starting a TV series on Netflix. The worst part? It's so lame. Ever seen The Secret Life of The American Teenager? I'd say it's 7th Heaven meets 15 and Pregnant. Don't even try and say you haven't seen 15 and Pregnant. I won't believe you. Consider this your fair warning. The Secret Life of the American Teenager is not worth watching, yet I can't seem to stop.
Since this is so long, I feel like I need to summarize:
Millie gained weight, we're on WIC, we need benadryl help, and you shouldn't watch The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Got it?
P.S. Maybe I'll finish our blog construction when I'm finished with this TV series. Hey, I'm just being honest.
um how dare that nutritionist! millie is exceptional we are well aware- but how dare her second guess (almost) a mom who has been through such a traumatic time with the birth of her darling daughter who has also spent so much effort and been so proactive to understand all that was going on in the hospital- shes second guessing the credibility of the whole hospital basically! i would have told her more to her face... maybe :P
ReplyDeleteoh yeah and my guilty pleasure is million dollar listing on bravo so silly but im hooked
ReplyDeleteSadly, Josh and I watched the first episode of the Secret Life of the American Teenager, and we are hooked. I know how you feel!
ReplyDeleteI have so many things to say about this wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteFirst, Caleb's pediatrician said to give him 2.5 ML (1/2 tsp) of benadryl for a snotty nose. I'm sure that's a safe dose for Millie, but I didn't notice Caleb getting sleep from that much.
Second, when Caleb came home from the hospital I watched the WHOLE FIRST SEASON of Secret Life of the American Teenager! And I hated it, too, but I just couldn't stop! I'm glad I was able to stop after the first season. What a stupid show! haha
Third, what does a stupid WIC person know? That makes me mad. They're not preemie specialists. They shouldn't pretend to be.
Fourth, Minnie would have been an adorable and fitting name for your cutie. But Millie is a good one, too.
Fifth, I got an ultrasound a few hours before Caleb was born. Weird. And I WILL get a 3D ultrasound of future children at 27 weeks and one day, just to compare to pictures of Caleb when he was born. :)
Sixth, I can't believe that Millie stands up without holding on to anything! There is no way she's really a 23 weeker... ;)
I think that's all. :)
prepare to be offended at each WIC visit :) i seriously don't know where they find these people--my favorite story is when they marked one of my sister's kids as being hispanic, and one as non-hispanic. when she mentioned that neither of them were hispanic the lady shrugged and said her son looked like he was and kept the status :) it's always an adventure. can't wait to hear more of your stories.
ReplyDeletealso, our pediatrician actually recommended that i use benadryl when i took bianca to hawaii, and it didn't work. the next trip i gave her a NIBBLE of melatonin and she was out. i would just ask.
lastly, millie is a gem. she is adorable!
Oh, one more thing: when/where/why are you moving?
ReplyDeleteWow, what a funny post and the comments weren't bad either! WIC is great for what you get out of it but I agree with the being offended every week thing. I have a few stories of my own. Baby Motrin works better than tylenol but is not as intense as benadryl if you don't figure out something else. Glad to hear you are doing well. Oh, and I totally know what you mean of the Secret Life. We watched the first season and started the second before stopping. It's like watching a train wreck, terrible but hard to look away.
ReplyDeleteA pharmacist told me once that benadryl can have the OPPOSITE effect on children under 6. That has never sounded like a risk I am willing to take while on a plane with a baby, so I've always steered clear.
ReplyDeleteY'all are so funny! I'm glad I'm not the only person to watch that terrible TV show! And I can't get over the hispanic child at WIC haha!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll call our old doctor about the medicine. He's laid back, and if there really was nothing wrong with it I know he'd help me.
Anna, Buck graduates in April so we're moving. Stay tuned for a post explaining it all. Thanks for backing me up on Minnie! I think it's great but he can't see past Minnie Mouse!
On plane rides, the most important thing is making sure your baby either takes a pacifier or a bottle during takeoff and landing. Babies mostly cry on planes because their ears won't pop so the pacifier or bottle will help with that. Sit as close to the engine as possible. If you're right by the engine her cries don't carry as far and the humming will lull her to sleep if she's the least bit sleepy. If she's like Addy nothing will help until she decides it's time to sleep. Oh, and try to wear her out beforehand limiting snacks and games until you're on the plane; it helps to pass the time during the flight.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations with the move to Connecticut. It's an awesome place. Cory's parents are in Canton which is close to Hartford. You'll love it there.