Monday, January 16th - 4 month check-up

Because of some interesting scheduling by a receptionist, we ended up having Landen’s 4 month well child visit a little late.  It wasn’t a big deal though and the visit went well.  Here are the particulars:

• Landen's stats: 16 pounds 14.5 ounces (76%), 26 1/4 inches long (81%), 44 cm head circumference (91% - he's got his daddy's gigantic head apparently), weight for length 57%
• Landen cried when I moved out of his line of sight and the doctor checked out his eyes/nose/ears.  It's the first time he's been scared around a stranger.
• Once again his heart sounded totally normal.  Since PDA's are considered "normal" for newborns and he hasn't been able to hear the murmer in months, Dr. Widelitz doesn't see any reason for Landen to have another EKG.  
• Landen's flat spot on his head is a little better.  Dr. Widelitz said to keep working on having him sleep with his head the opposite direction so it rounds out again.  Nothing to be concerned with at this point.  
• Landen's left eye has had some green goop in the corner for the past week or so.  It's just a clogged tear duct (totally normal).  He showed me how to massage the area a bit to help get the gunk out of there.  His eye is fine - no redness or irritation, so there's no reason for antibiotic ointment.
• He has a red, scaley patch on the left side of his forehead.  Dr. Widelitz said it’s probably just eczema and to keep it moisturized.  He also has a few white bumps that pop up on either side of his nose.  These are oil glands working overtime and nothing to worry about.
• We're going to discontinue the Zantac and continue with the Prevacid for his reflux.  Dr. Widelitz said he really shouldn't need both.
• We got the go ahead to start Landen on a little bit of rice cereal and see how it goes.  I got the run down of how to do it, how often, etc.  The cereal should help with his reflux because it will help kinda keep everything settled down in the bottom of his stomach.  We're going to go really slowly with the cereal and maybe start some purees in a few weeks.  We want to make sure his digestive system is ready.  They typically suggest you start closer to 6 months but Landen is a big boy and some extra calories will do him good.  At this point, the cereal/purees are considered "dessert" for Landen.  They won't replace any of his bottles, it's just to help him practice eating and to get some extra calories.
• He got more vaccinations - 2 shots and 1 oral.  He did ok with the first shot but screamed bloody murder at the second one.  I have no idea why those dang needles have to be 2 inches long.  We were both crying by the time they were done.  We settled down pretty quickly though and are doing fine.  No reaction at all.

We see the doctor again in 2 months!