Formula One

Monday was Frank's four month check-in with her doctor. She was the essence of brave. She cried only a bit over her immunizations mostly due to the shock of it all. Unlike last time she had no fever and no reaction in the days following. 

Her weigh-in wasn't quite as tip top. She's a little pea. At four months she's only almost reached twelve pounds (11 pounds 14 ounces). The average weight of a two month old girl is fourteen pounds. Two pounds is a big deal when it’s one-sixth of your weight. 

Because of her teeniness our doctor suggested adding a bottle of formula to our nighttime routine for two weeks to see if this helps her catch up. At her weigh-ins up until now she has been in the 25th to 50th weight percentile and this time she was in the 10th percentile. I was tempted to point out that I am still probably in the 10th percentile when it comes to height and weight and that perhaps this might be a factor but decided against it. We had not ever been able to rule out hunger as a factor in her sleep problems and perhaps both (her weight and her sleep) were indicative of a little belly needing more nourishment. So we took our formula sample home and waited until nightfall – a little nervous and yet a little eager to get on with this big change. We mixed up the dusty beige powder and with a little coaxing she drank all four ounces and then fell asleep … FOR SEVEN HOURS. Well-rested victory high fives all around.

Tuesday night. Carefully repeat Monday night step for step. She was having none of it. No formula and no sleeping for longer than a few hours at a time.

I know that she will get used to the formula. I know that its entirely new to her and that in a few weeks nighttime bottles will be a standard part of bedtime. But still it is awful. So awful. Having to force her to eat something she hates because it is good for her when all she wants to do is nurse and go to sleep just like always. Poor bug.