The Results Are In

Eloise is a healthy little baby! She is 8 weeks old today and had her 2 month doctor appointment. She got glowing reviews from the Doc and I couldn't feel happier. For whatever reason, lately I seem to be reading about or hearing about heartbreaking situations with little babies. Maybe because I'm more attuned to baby health now but I feel really thankful that we have not had to deal with anything serious. Eloise has done some major growing since her 2 week appointment.

Weight: 10lbs 5oz - 50th percentile
Height: 24 inches - 97th percentile
Head: 40th percentile

At 2 weeks she was 7lbs 8oz and 21.5 inches
So her weight increased by 35% and her height by 12% (I think I did my math right, it's been awhile since I've had to use my brain in that way.)

Being weighed - wish I had brought the camera to her first appointment but it was challenge enough just getting there at 2 weeks!


Eloise received some immunizations at the appointment as well. Not surprisingly, she was not happy about the shots. I thought that I would have my own tears but instead I stifled a laugh because I was surprised by the intensity of her cry! I had never heard her sound like that before. I didn't want the nurse to think I laughed at my baby's pain but it was so dramatic!!! I take heart knowing she hasn't had to use her EXTREME cry with us. Mom and dad aren't as painful as shots...until she's a teenager.

The doctor also referred us to another doctor who will most likely end up monitoring the birthmark on Eloise's forehead. Fortunately, he didn't have any health concerns about it. I don't like using the term birthmark since in my mind that is more of a permanent mark but I guess it falls in that category. What she has is technically called a hemangioma (he-man-gee-oh-ma) and is a collection of blood vessels. It occurs randomly and usually grows until about 6-8 months and then slowly begins to fade away until it's completely gone. It is part of her adorable face to me but I'm sure people wonder what exactly it is or if something happened! I'm glad to have a specialist to go to who will hopefully continue to confirm that all is normal.

Eloise had a busy first christmas. We spent christmas eve at my parents house, christmas day at our house with tom's mom's side of the family and christmas day night at tom's dad's house. Ellie of course received some gifts but my personal favorites were the Eloise At The Plaza children's book along with an Eloise doll and baby mary jane shoes to match! I also appreciated the canvas toy basket from pottery barn kids that was "for eloise" (thanks mom).



Parker kept pulling this stuffed moose off of the shelf and I'd find it in the middle of the floor. I think it reminds him of a squirrel toy he once destroyed.


We (i.e. Tom) finally put up the rest of the Eloise letters. I still want to get some more wall decor, maybe another shelf too but I like seeing her name on the wall.


I had a slight respite on christmas eve when Eloise had an all time sleep record and I was able to sleep from midnight to 6am. I'm convinced now it was a growth spurt since she has not repeated this stellar sleep performance since (or maybe it was the small glass of swedish glug that I drank?). Overall her sleeping is getting a little better and her feeding is spacing out a bit more during the day. She is still not taking a bottle so we may have a bottle face off this weekend. Hopefully the bottle wins but I don't plan on being there to witness it! What to do with "me" time, hmmmm, the possibilities are endless.

Christmukkah (sp?) at my parents house. We celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas!


My fingers are crossed that we don't experience any side effects from the shots today. So far Eloise slept a ton and then woke up really upset. I think she is a sensitive one. Also, this morning she woke up with a little cold that she must have gotten from me. She didn't seem too bothered by the coughs and stuffy nose (pre-doctor appointment) but now I'm hoping we don't experience a tri-fecta of pain tonight with the cold, actual pain from the shots, and left over sensitivity from a rough day!

Lots of goals for this week. One being to start reading my book club book. It's 500 pages and book club is in 2 weeks-yikes. Pre-baby I'd look forward to spending a few solid hours reading but now there is so much to do when I have free time. I do think it's important that I try to stimulate my brain with something non-baby related though!

Some more Eloise pics:

Trying to capture a smile with the flash off, hence the blur.


Wearing her cute Gap ensemble from Sara. I swear it didn't fit a week ago!


Quality time with Maija and sporting a sweater knit by her great-grandma rosalyn that I also wore as a baby, kind of unbelievable.


I start out these blog posts thinking that I have no time so I'll just put something in quick and then many hours later I've managed to write more than planned and upload photos! I hope all of my fans (mom, aunt sheila, grandma, grandma, robyn, sara...) enjoy :)

Jess