Big Fella

Gavin had his 4 month well-baby visit with the pediatrician today.  During the appointment, we learned that Gavin is in the 90th percentile or above for both height and weight.  The pediatician teased that we may have a future NFL linebacker in the making!   

I inquired about Gavin's frequent GI distress and vomiting.  The doctor wasn't overly concerned since Gavin's weight indicated that he is in no danger of "failing to thrive" (a diagnosis when a child's weight or rate of growth is well below what it should be when compared with past measurements or standard height-weight charts).  He did, however, increase the dose of Axid (a medication used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants) that Gavin is to receive twice a day.  Hopefully the higher dose will resolve the problem.  Nautrally I don't like to see Gavin in any discomfort.  As an added benefit, I would not have to walk around smelling like baby vomit all the time and it may reduce the number of loads of laundry I have to do each week - you can't imagine the amount of laundry that multiple outfit changes for both Mommy and Gavin generates!

The doctor reassured us that Gavin is reaching all of the developmental milestones on or ahead of schedule. He can roll over from front to back, reach for and hold a toy, track an object 180 degrees, lift his head up 90 degrees and raise his chest supported by his arms when he’s on his stomach, hold his head steady when upright and keep his head level with his body when pulled to sitting, squeal in delight, smile spontaneously, turn in the direction of a voice (particularly mommy’s and daddy’s), and bear some weight on his legs when held upright.

The pediatrician also told us we can introduce rice cereal anytime between 4-6 months. While the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends breast feeding exclusively for the first 6 months, Mike and I decided to try offering Gavin a small serving of rice cereal mixed with breast milk once a day since he is such a big boy and has such a healthy appetite. Plus, rumor has it that once babies start having rice cereal they are more likely to sleep through the night. We’d be lying if we said that didn’t influence our decision. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had more than 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep!

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the boys' height, weight, and head circumference measurements at roughly the same age (approximately 4 months).

           GAVIN                                   RYAN

Height:  26 ¾” (95th%)                  Height: 25 ½” (75th%)
Weight:  17 lbs, 1 oz (90th%)         Weight:  16 lbs, 2 oz (80th%)
Head:  17” (75th%)                         Head:  17 ½” (94th%)