P*tite B*ys???

Well, Henderson had his 4 month check up yesterday. It went well, he was a sweetie - never cried until the Dr. held his head down to look in his ears - he does have a slight ear infection in one ear and is now on Amoxicillin - what is it with my boys??? Wilson had many ear infections and finally tubes at 9 months. None since then thank goodness. Emma Claire has never had an ear infection. Henderson got 4 shots and the rotavirus vaccine and slept much of the afternoon. He woke up with a fever (the first one he's ever had) and he was so pitiful - all he would do was lay on my chest - never even picked his head up. He would whimper if I tried to move him. He finally went to sleep after some Tylenol and did wake up at 3:30 am to eat (which is not usual).

Here are his stats:

Height: 24 inches (20%)

Head: 16 1/2 (40%)

Weight: 12 lb 7 oz (10%)

Here's why I am concerned - his height and head have remained at the same %. His weight has gone from 25% to 10% - you ask, so what?? Well, it was about this time that Wilson began dropping off the chart - Wilson dropped off in everything (not just weight), so maybe we have hope. Wilson weighed 11 lb 12 oz at 4 months. Emma Claire weighed 12 lb 7 oz also, (but remember, she was born 8 weeks premature). So, where do we go from here? If his weight continues to drop off, do we go through the dozens of procedures and tests that we went through with Wilson, only to find nothing, or do we just accept that I have very petite boys and an average girl??? Oh, why can't it be reversed - girls are cute and "dainty" when they're skinny and petite - but I bet no one looks at a 5 ft tall 100# man and says "oh, he's so dainty and cute" Seriously.... But Henderson is a good eater - he drinks 24-30 ounces of milk a day and we have now begun the dreaded RICE CEREAL!!!! He seemed to like it last night (what stayed in his mouth). He still has the tongue thrust that causes most of it to come back out, but he was begging for more, so he must have liked the taste. We are putting Rice Cereal in his bottles also, to help with the spitting up (which has gotten right crazy) and to add extra calories. I absolutely love my pediatrician and gladly put my childrens' lives in his hands, but I am open to any suggestions you experienced moms out there might have. Yes, I am a registered dietitian, but when it's your own children and you're in the thick of it, sometimes you just need others' advice.!!!! Wilson has gotten OKAY with eating, but he will eat something one day and flat out refuse it the next - I think we've wasted enough food on him to feed all the children in Ethiopia. I hate wasting food, and it's so frustrating to not know what he likes. I just don't want Henderson to go down that same road.

All in all my children are doing great. God has blessed us with happy, healthy children who are growing bigger everyday (although a little slower than the world thinks they should be). God is so good to us and I am thankful for every day I have with these precious gifts. I love being a mom above all else and they bring such joy to my life!

Emma Claire started ballet yesterday and loved it - she is so sweet and such a big help at home. We are getting excited for the first home football game Saturday - we'll be out at the Quad tailgating in the hot September sun!