Inbetween our Holiday Weekends

The Monday before Christmas, Samantha had her 8/9 month appointment.  I had cancelled her 8 month appointment because they assured me that her shots could wait if there were any.  I wanted to make the appointment when I was off from school so that I didn't have to take the day off.
This appointment was our first one with Dr. Carrie Fearday.  She is young and FANTASTIC.  Dr. Ioffe retired at the end of the year (it was time).  What really angered me was that I received NO notification.  If the doctor is YOUR CHILD'S PEDIATRICIAN then you would THINK that they would LET ME KNOW.  Ok. I feel better. Anyways... "Miss Carrie" is great.  She has 3 younger boys of her own and originally was a Pharmacist and then went back to be a pediatrician.  Samantha weight 17lbs 4 oz and off the top of my head, I can't remember how long.  Either way, she was in the 25% for her weight so we had to go over how much Samantha eats.  She eats A LOT most of the time.  I was curious as to what she thought were good snacks and table food.  I was really glad to have the conversation b/c I had tried the time before with Dr. Ioffe and really didn't get an answer.  We also talked about what Samantha should be drinking.  I had been doing watered down juice.  Miss Carrie was of the opinion that it really should just be water because there is so much extra sugar in juice that Samantha doesn't need.  It may sound hypocritical but I really want to start her off right. I really do believe the science and research that says that sugary foods cause an addiction-like process in our brain.  If I can give her the right start maybe she can stay healthy and be smart about her health, life, weight, etc.  She also said that milk will be great when she reaches a year old.  She said that she does milk for meals and water in between.  If you don't give them other drinks then they don't know any better.  So I have been starting to cut back on the amount of juice in her cup and Samantha actually is drinking more, I think. 

Samantha came out in the 50% for height and head circumference. Miss Carrie also looked at Samantha's gums and said that they looked pretty solid.  She could see the white of the teeth way up in the gums but they were pretty far up there.

While we were there I had her look at Samantha's ears and throat because she had been pulling on her ears occasionally, but not consistently.  Everything looked fine.  So I had started to think the ear pulling was beginning to be her sign that she was tired.
Samantha also didnt' have to receive any shots, but I elected for her to receive the flu shot.  I know, I'm the mean Momma, but I would rather her have it then fight the nasty respiratory flu.