Who's My Big Man?

Oh, my.  Lincoln is ten months old!  He is turning into such a little boy, and less of a baby.

Here are a few things Lincoln started to do this month:

*turning pages of a book
*drinking from a sippy cup
*enjoying more soft table foods - see below
*saying repetitive consonant sounds - favs are mamama, lalala, gagaga, bababa, with an over-active tongue (I'll post a video to show you soon.  it's soo cute!)
*using the pincer grasp to pick up small objects/food
*waving - mostly for self-stimulation still, not meaning "bye-bye"
*bouncing/jumping
*and CRAWLING - still not far, maybe a few feet, but he is able to move to get what he wants!

As I mentioned in the last post, Lincoln has not grown much this past month. Lincoln's measurements as of 3/23 at the pediatrician are:

15 lbs 13 oz (<3% and 2oz < mo 9)

26.75 inches long (5% and = mo 9)

46.2 cm HC (70% and 0.4 > mo 9)

Yep, that makes Linc a lollipop.  But a darn cute one, right?

That brings us to feeding.  Lincoln's feeding issues continue, but are better than they were.  The most troublesome, and relieving, part of Lincoln's bottle feeds is his behavior.  He still drinks the best when super sleepy, but he now will take a small bottle while awake.  He is not gagging and seems to be more interested in drinking.  I also started to transition Lincoln to Pediasure this month.  This helps to get some extra calories in since Pediasure is 30kcal per oz, compared to Enfacare 24kcal.  And Linc seems to like the vanilla flavor.  So far, Lincoln is getting about 4 oz of Pediasure.  We have been battling some constipation issues since going up on the volume of Pediasure, but have managed to get by with adding more prunes and peaches to Linc's diet.

I stopped the night feedings the doctor requested about two weeks ago.  Lincoln was starting to just compensating for the late feed by taking less through the day.  Plus, with his teething, I wanted to let him sleep if he was able to.  Once he is awakened and realizes his gums ache, he doesn't easily go back to sleep.  So I thought I was not doing him any favors with the night feed.  Since I have stopped, Lincoln's volumes have slowly increased. His daily intake is usually around 18 oz.  Still much less than the desired 27-30oz, but it is better than 13.  Discontinuing the night feed may be the reason Lincoln didn't grow this past month, but it was best for our situation.

As far as solids go, Lincoln is enjoying some table foods.  He absolutely loves to feed himself, so anything I can offer him as finger food is usually a hit.  He will still eat some purees, especially if I dip a cracker and feed him that way, instead of using a spoon.  Don't ask me why.  I guess it is more fun.  Some of his favorites are: chopped pear, banana, kiwi, and cheese.  Purees he likes are: egg yolk with formula, Beechnut brand "country breakfast" (pancakes, eggs and bacon), applesauce, peaches, and whole milk yogurt.

Lincoln is still sleeping through the night, usually just needing an occasional pat and binky replaced a few times. (Loving it!)  At ten months, he has his two middle bottom teeth and two top lateral incisors (the ones next to the front ones).  He is working on the two front top teeth and they are already broken through the gum.  Poor guy.  It just never ends.  Generally, Lincoln does great with teething.  He has a little trouble sleeping and doesn't drink his bottles as well, but he doesn't cry excessively or need a lot of cuddling.  But we already knew he was a strong guy.

Lincoln's wheeze has improved a little with the help of his inhaled steroid over the past month.  He still needs two treatments of albuterol per day, but he is more comfortable.  It seems like the steroid has helped the albuterol to work better.  If that makes sense.  He is back on continuous oxygen at 0.1 LPM for a few days after I saw him struggling to drink his bottles.  I will try him on room air during the day again later this week.  Hopefully he is ready.  He's been doing great back on 0.1.

Oh, and I also trimmed the hair by Linc's ears this month.  The hair was getting so long it was curling and beginning to get stuck in his tape.  So, Lincoln had his first hair cut!

Here are a few pictures from the other night that I think showcase how happy and active Linc is these days! What a heartbreaker!

Can you see Linc's fangs? Ha.

Lincoln has to stand on everything!

Happy Birthday, Linc!  Mommy loves you!