Vaccines

Yesterday we had a very big day... we had our first round of vaccines at the pediatrician's office. Jeff met us after work for the big appointment. Elise is now 9lbs and 21.5 inches long- which would make her in the 50th percentile if we adjusted her age back the 5.5 weeks. So, we are doing marvelous in the growth department. We did have a concern with her belly button which has always been on the large size. Dr. Kennedy assured us that the umbilical hernia (not just an 'outtie' anymore!) would more than likely fix itself over the course of 4-5 years- otherwise it will be surgically corrected at the time she would begin school. No bikinis yet!

Elise got 3 shots and 1 oral vaccine. She was vaccinated for Rotavirus, DTP, Hep B, Polio, Steptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. Needless to say, Elise wasn't very happy but a little meal afterwards almost made her forget about the trauma! We headed home and premedicated with some Tylenol. She was a little fussy in the evening (but usually is!) but seemed to do fine otherwise. She took her vaccinations like a champ-- and will do round 2 in another two months.

Overall, Elise is developmentally doing well. She is starting to smile (at least I think so) but isn't consistently doing it. She loves to hold up her head-- even though it bobs around and she needs to rest her neck frequently. As we knew, and Dr. Kennedy reiterated, Elise does some things like a 2 month old (we are currently 9 weeks 2 days old) but some things like a 1 month old. Hopefully by our next doctor's appointment, we'll be cooing and smiling more often and may even begin reaching for things. Jeff and I look forward to these little developmental milestones so we can see she's doing well. Plus, it's exciting watching her study and tune into her environment and, of course, us!