6-month checkup

maki saw dr. kercher today for his 6-month checkup.  he got weighed and measured as usual.  she said his growth is "perfection" and that he's "growing beautifully".  weight: 18 lbs 6.5 oz; 66th percentile.  height: 27.5 in; 83rd percentile.

"i like you lady" (maki with his friend dr. kercher)

we really like dr. kercher.  she's great!  she answered all of our questions of course:

solids!!!  what, when, how?
--> she said to start with rice cereal mixed with breastmilk/formula.  it will be runny at first.  just have him get used to the spoon, a little consistency and being able to move food to the back of his throat.  he will still consume the same amount of formula/breastmilk until ~8 months when he eats more solids.  after rice cereal, she recommends veggies before fruits.  wait 4 days before introducing a new food to monitor any allergic reaction.  also feed him when he's not hungry or full.  he can also drink water out of a sippy cup but no juice!

do we need to give trivisol if he is drinking more formula?
--> as long as he is still mostly breastmilk, he will need the vitamins.  he's currently 60% breastmilk and 40% formula (working on bringing this down).  if is he eating more solids like yogurt later, he may not need it anymore.

can we use sunblock now?
--> yes, he's 6 months now.  use at least spf 30.

he's not crawling yet...  how much tummy time per day?
--> perfectly fine that he isn't crawling yet.  some kids never crawl.  do at least 30 minutes of tummy time per day but he's sleeping on his tummy so should be fine.  he sits up unsupported - he's already advanced!

he's not babbling as much.  he's doing this choking sound (video below).
--> totally normal.  he's finding his voice.  he's trying to communicate.  (how cute is that?!)

we put massage oil on his legs/arms as part of our sleep routine.  is it ok for his skin?
--> yes, his skin isn't dry.  he's sleeping great so keep doing it.

we boil his water for the formula and we boil the breast pumps / bottles:
--> new york water is good water and perfectly fine to drink.  boil only if there is residue buildup.  (hmmm...  nanny and i both agreed we will still boil everything!)

what to look forward to before the 9-month checkup?
--> maki will probably be crawling.  he will be propping himself up to a standing position.  it will be important to baby-proof the apt in the next couple of months.  avoid having hot beverages to avoid burns because he will reach for things now.
 
she also tested maki's poop.  i reintroduced dairy back into my diet last saturday so she's looking for microscopic blood in the poop.  if the test is negative, that means i can keep eating dairy and maki can drink regular formula.  if positive, that means i have to quit dairy again (i've decided i want to keep breastfeeding) and maki stays on the stinky, gross formula.  so what's the verdict?  negative - it's a win win situation!  yay for me and maki!  boo hoo for my weight as i think about all the desserts i will be consuming.  i must say halo-halo (filipino dessert) is on the top of my list.

maki had 3 shots today (one was for flu).  he sat on my lap while he got them and mik was behind me massaging my shoulders.  i don't like vaccination days.  poor baby (me) and poor maki.  ;)  he cried for a minute then he was done.  he has to come back in a month to see a nurse for the 2nd flu shot and then see dr. kercher again at 9 months.  nanny said she can take maki by herself if we want her to.

chubby cheeks fell asleep in the taxi on the way home.  felt so bad for him.  when we got home, gave him baby tylenol to prevent a fever.  last time he got a 103+ fever that evening.

he tried the regular formula (similac advantage) at his 3:30pm feeding and he was able to drink all 7oz of it with no issues.  yipee!!!  he also guzzles his bottle down now with the size 3 nipples.  slow down, big boy!

about 30-45 minutes into maki's bedtime, while we were eating dinner, i looked at the baby monitor and saw maki do a projectile vomit during his sleep!  it was all over himself and on the bed.  i was pumping at the time (yes, pumping while eating!) so i told mik to go into the room.  we had to change him and the bed sheets.  maki was just smiling throughout the whole thing.  maybe throwing up made him feel better.  i wonder what caused him to throw up.  could it be the shots, tylenol or new formula?!!  my poor baby love....  :(