Growing and Growing

Today my youngest boy Gabe hit the two-month mark. We commemorated the event with a visit to the doctor's office for his well-child visit, where we learned he now weighs 11 pounds 5 ounces (when we brought him home he was only 5 pounds 10 ounces) and measures 23 inches (up from 18-3/4 inches). I'd say he's doing just fine in the growing department! LOL Yep, I can tell this kid is going to take after his momma. Aside from his temper (I don't know where he got that from...ahem!), he even looks more like me!

Gabe gave Dr. J a couple of big, gummy grins. I was a little surprised because most of the time, I can only coax a smile out of him if he's trying to do his business in his diaper (that would be "nappy" for my British pals). *grin* He'll look you in the eye and smile a nice big smile, and then his face will go a little red as he strains. But a smile is a smile, right? We'll go with 8 weeks as the official achievement of this particular milestone. He'll still give you a smile if you play with his chin, something that can now be replicated on most occasions if he feels like flashing you some gum.

So anyway, back to the doctor visit. Everything is going well, he's in good shape and alert and happy. Then in comes the nurse with no less than THREE syringes. Now I think of myself as an informed, experienced parent who has been through this before with Zeke and understands the necessity for good preventive medicine. But you still feel a pang of guilt as you get ready to hold your unsuspecting, oh so trusting child down, those little eyes gazing up at you with admiration, and the moment of impact when those same little eyes tear up and admiration turns to disbelief and disillusionment: "Mommy, why are you letting that woman hurt me??"

If you've been through this, you know exactly what I mean. Ugh! Heartbreaking stuff.

After the beet red hue of his head subsided, the sobs began. (Gabe, not me.) Great big tears ran down his cheeks, and all I could do was hold him and kiss him and tell him everything was going to be alright.

By the way, the picture of Gabe was not taken at the doctor's office, but rather was at home the moment he decided to let me know he was hungry and wanted something to eat...like RIGHT NOW!!! Geez. Don't kids know about the two-minute warning?

Tonight Gabe is with my parents because I'm taking Zeke to the aquarium in Chattanooga tomorrow. It's another one of our Mommy and Me excursions, and it will be a whole lot easier on everyone if Gabe sits this one out. Hubby's headed up to Indiana again this evening, so trying to maneuver two small children singlehandedly through that place will be more stressful than delightful.

And anyway, it's time to catch some shuteye before the big day, so on that note, goodnight! *smile*

Gabriel - Age 2 months