6 Month Check-up

Dear Tatum,

Yesterday was your appointment for your 6 month check-up/vaccinations. You weighed 14 lbs. 14 oz. and measured 25 in. in length, placing you in the 25th percentile as a 6 month old (your corrective age would be 4-1/2 months old). So overall, you are just perfect.

The doctor said to begin adding cereal to your menu in the evening and adding fruits and veggies in as well. We have already added a touch of applesauce to your cereal for some flavor. Mommy had to start mixing your cereal with formula instead of breast milk and you did not like it so much. So, I read that I could add a little bit of applesauce to the mix and you loved it. You ate every last drop and you were so excited the entire time that you were waving your arms and kicking your feet while oohing and aahing. Since we already started with applesauce, we have one more day before we can try something new. By Friday we can introduce something new, a veggie. Yay!

We also asked the doctor about your tooth that broke the surface and then disappeared. Lots of Mommies friends said it happened to their babies as well. The doctor said it was an Eruption Cyst, which is a fluid filled cyst (that can look white like a tooth) indicating that her teeth are coming. It is not a concern as long as it goes away within a month, which it did.

The doctor also ordered another download from your heart monitor. Although there has been no activity that Daddy and I are aware of, he would like to evaluate the report before considering taking you off. He asked what we would feel comfortable with and we wouldn't mind keeping you on it during the night for a couple more months. We will see what the doctor says after you reviews the report.

The doctor also had me contact the Illinois "Early Intervention Program." He was surprised that we weren't already associated with them. Since you were born prematurely, the state offers an evaluation upon the doctors consent to determine if you require physical therapy (muscle toning, etc.) to ensure that you begin crawling and walking when you should. I have already contacted them and they will be calling me to schedule an appointment. If you qualify based on their evaluation, they will begin physical therapy. Daddy and I agree that you are coming along just fine, but we will welcome any assistance that a professional might feel you need.

As for your shots, you handled them so well. You cried for a couple of seconds and then you calmed yourself down. That last shot was the worst, but again, once we picked you up and had a family hug, you were just fine.

You have begun talking for the better part of the day. None of what you have to say makes sense, but I love to listen to it. If I am on the phone with someone, people are surprised to find out that it is you and not the TV they hear in the background. You have such a beautiful little voice and I just love listening to it.


You have really mastered the jumping in your Jumperoo. Daddy and I had lots of fun watching you during lunch today. You jumped for about 45 minutes straight before you stopped and almost instantly began doing sleepy head-bobs. You just love to play now and it is so much fun.

I just carried you up to bed after you had fallen asleep in my arms. The only thought that ran through my head was that there is nothing more beautiful in this world than your sleepy little face.

You are my angel and I love you.

Love,
Mommy