Rosie's four-month checkup

Measurements, Growth & Development
Rosie is right on target! She remains in the 50th percentile for all of her measurements and growth (14.4 pounds and 25.5 inches long). I think that's quite an accomplishment! It takes hard work to be perfect! She has surpassed all her standard milestones. The nurse asked if she was "trying" to roll over. Pffft! Rosie is ready to teach classes on rolling. The doctor even commented on her ability to stand up at such a young age. Go Rosie, go! She is in excellent health.

The Shots
Horrible, let's move on.

Starting Solids
Dr. Morrison says she doesn't think Rosie's 100% ready yet, and that's fine with us. It's ok to try the cereal once in a while to see how she reacts, but it may be another 6 weeks before she is ready. Her massive hunger at times doesn't seem to be an issue, since she is growing and gaining on target. I attribute her hunger to the "distracto-baby syndrome" she's contracted.

Sudden Frequent Pooping
Well, the doctor did say that this isn't normal, but that we shouldn't be concerned as long as the stuff looks like it always does. Lucky us, we have a pooper.

Sleeping
We don't really see eye-to-eye with the doc on sleeping. She feels that we should keep Rosie up till 8 or 9 so she'll sleep longer through the night, but we think that her early bedtime is the key to her good sleeping. Yeah she gets up around 3 or 4 to eat but I don't see that lasting much longer after we start solids. Besides, I'm not willing to undertake any experiments to see what happens if we screw with her schedule. You can't argue with 10-hour stretches of solid sleep, and 13+ hours for the night. The doctor's main point was that the adults in the house would sleep better without those early morning feedings. But we don't think it's fair to keep her up late and take away her best sleeping time simply for our own convenience. Doesn't she know that parenting is an inherently selfless act?! Get with the program doctor, we're trying to be martyrs here!