4 Month Check-Up

Monday 19th

Mom, Marisa, Samantha and I headed up to Sarah Bush to see Dr. Ioffe for the 4 month check-up.  Samantha is now 13 pounds and 9.5 ounces and 25 inches long.  Dr. Ioffe said that her heighth was average and her weight was a little over average but that was normal for a breastfed baby. 
We discussed cereal which I told her that we had started earlier that week in hopes it would make her sleep.  Dr. Ioffe said that that could work because the carbs in the cereal should make her sleeply.  She also said we could start introducing fruit. I told her that Samantha LOVED watermelon and Dr. Ioffe said that that was great and mentioned bananas and a few others.  Dr. Ioffe wanted us to hold off on vegetables for another month.  When she remembered that Samantha was being breastfed though, she wanted to put the whole schedule off for another month.  Cereal now at bedtime and then fruits next month and then vegetables right after because "everything she needs...she gets now from you".  I know you can't hear the tone or dialect but if you could... you would get the inside joke that only my mother, grandmother, and I share.  I think its the painted on lips that make the words seem that much .. I don' t know.. comical maybe?  It's not a super funny, slap your knee kind of joke.  Just a make you smile at her accent kind of joke.  And not that we are making fun of her...she's awesome and I really like her.  Anyways.... I'm rambling.  I decided not to have Samantha receive shots at the Doctor's office because they are so expensive.  How expensive you may ask... think a number and then think super ridiculous.  I'm taking upwards of $500 for 3 shots and an oral vaccine.  Yea... ouch.  I decided to have them done at the Health Department.  Want to know the cost there? $9 per shot and only up to 3 shots.  If she has to have four shots, it will still only be $27.  Yea... that's a no-brainer if you ask me. My only releuctance is that they only do shots on "clinic" days and the soonest one is the 2nd of August.  The wonderful lady did me a favor and double booked the last appointment of the day.  Otherwise we would have waited until the 17th of August.  I was definitely not comfortable being a month behind on shots, nor am I that comfortable being 1/2 of a month.  If I would have had to wait a full month I would have just taken her back to the doctor, I think - That or just be super paranoid for a full month.

After the doctor's appointment, we headed to wal-mart to pick up some baby pain reliever. I was out and if Samantha's teeth started to hurt badly again I wanted to be prepared.  After Wal-Mart we ate at our favorite place... The REAL Burger King in Mattoo.  Yummy.  Samantha of course was hungry at the same time. I had purchased an Udder Cover.  Yes you read that right... it says Udder.  It at first seemed brilliant and it's not bad but not as easy to use as I originally though.  However, I don't use it often so maybe more practice would help.  After Samantha nursed she fell right asleep so I was able to eat with both hands for most of the meal. 

I tried to get myself in but didn't quite make it.

After Burger King, we went to Lake Land to get Marisa's Student ID.  She didn't seem all that excited, which I thought was odd. I remember thinking it was pretty dang cool to have that little ID card.  Kind of made if official!

After Lake Land, we went by our Great Aunt Wanda's house to see her and Grandma Keach.  It was great to see them both because I think it is so neat and touching that they are so close after all these years.  Samantha was still asleep but soon woke up to smile at her Great Grandma.  We tried to convince Grandma that Samantha looks like her, but I don't think she quite believes us.  It's Samantha's eyebrows and eyes that really do it.  Grandma made the comment that her Dad's eyebrows and eyes looked like that, so I think it makes it even more official that Samantha looks like her Great Grandma Keach!

We left Aunt Wandas and drove through a heck of a storm.  Mom had to dodge a few sticks and a Dora the Explorer ball.  I kept telling Mom to drive faster to get out of the storm. We were just on the South edge of it.  Of course Mom thought it was funny and a good, fun time.  This is also the lady that laughed histarically at me when I called her from the Casey's McDonalds to tell her that Tyler (high school boyfriend) and I might possibly die.  There was a tornado going through the area and we were on our way to Terre Haute.  Of course, all the employees got the safe places in the freezers/refridgerators...but we were all crowded in the girls bathroom. I know I'll never forget that wonderful cackle of a laugh my mom has.  You know, I received a lot of mean stares that day.  I don't think anybody else thought it was very funny either.

Anywas.. we made it home. Safe and sound.

When JM got to Mom & Dad's we waited out the rain and then packed up the camper and came home.  I love those long weekends at my parents. I feel so fortunate that they are able to watch Samantha grow and send all that time with her. I really do miss living just down the road. But I guess that is all part of growing up. =)