Unfortunately the minute we got there the nurse had us strip him down to weigh and measure him. The hard, cold scale was met with screams and flailing so she could barely get an accurate weigh-in. Then when we transferred him to the table to measure his length, he decided to protest by peeing all over the table and himself. John and I agreed that it was the most he had ever pee'd. He was swimming in it. The nurse didn't seem fazed at all. But we got his current measurements:
Height - 22 inches - 75th percentile (up from the 25th percentile at birth)
Weight - 9 pounds, 9 ounces - 50th percentile (same percentile as at birth, up two pounds)
We were very excited that he seemed to be growing well. The doctor came in and started examining him. He got fussy, started to cry. He really wasn't showing her his best side but I hope the doctor didn't judge too much. Next came the nurse with a big needle. It was time for his first vaccine. I had a hard time watching as John held his hand and the nurse came at his little pink thigh with her needle. As I turned I heard Jack let out a bloodcurdling scream that was not pretty. I think the needle and scream hurt me more than it hurt him. He kept crying and crying thought eventually we were able to soothe him. Man, that was hard though. I can't believe the next appointment he has to get three shots. Sad.
The doctor asked us different questions and we described life with Jack, including his nighttime sleeping routine. She said she thought he should be sleeping more than 2 hours at a time at night. Well, I agree. That would be nice. She wants us to try to establish a nighttime routine and put him down in bed while he's still awake. And possibly let him cry for a few minutes. She's not suggesting hardcore sleep training. But this seems like it'll be too hard for me and too hard for a 4 week old. Am I crazy? What have other moms done with babies this age?
