Two Months Old

Alex went to his two month old check up on Thursday. (He's 9 weeks and 2 days old today, June 1) The Tallest Preemie in Westchester now measures 22 inches and weighs 10 lbs, 12 oz. The doctor is thrilled with his growth and weight gain, as well as his big eating for such a little guy. He also began his immunizations at this check up. He received immunizations against polio, diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepititis B, pnuemonia, influenza and rotavirus (a digestive tract attacker). Needless to say three shots and one oral administration in one day left him completely beat. He slept through half his meals through the next 24 hours. When he did eat, it was 2/3 of what he would usually eat. Today, when he started coming out of the reaction, he ate with a vengeance, but couldn't handle it. He tried to down his "Hungry Man" 6 oz meal that he takes from time to time. Not a good call. After a 24 hour cut back, he was spitting up the last ounce he could even try to drink. Then he'd get frustrated over not being able to eat more.

The poor thing was more emotionally traumatized than feeling physically pained from the immunizations. Yesterday, when he wasn't sleeping, he'd cry almost inconsolably unless he was held up against my or Dan's chest and rocked.

On the development front, he's now laughing spontaneously all the time save any time I want to capture a picture of it. Then he stops and stares at this thing in front of my face. He's showing a strong interest in grabbing for his toys, expressing frustration when he can't reach them. He gets all grumpy when the mobile in his crib stops. He's getting very sociable. He now wants to be in his bouncer in whatever room contains the action. Last weekend we had three of Dan's friends over and Alex would not sleep in his bassinet in the living room while they were here. He just HAD to be in his bouncer, placed on the floor at the egde of the dining room, where he slept through hours of adult talking and laughing. He loves to be in his bouncer next to my desk chair, napping while I'm on the computer. He loves to be on the bed with Dan, napping while he watches TV. He's also showing a strong desire to talk. He talks to us, to the pets, to the Munchkin iPod on his crib, his favorite doll, his mobiles, the herbs and flowers on the porch and something to his right when he's seated in the den with me. He now looks forward to at least 20-30 minutes of conversation with Dan when Dan gets home from work each evening.

June 1, 2007