Rebekah at four months old

8/8/04 - Rebekah had her first bite of "solid foods" today! We went with plain baby rice cereal mixed with water. She neither liked nor hated it. She made a funny face when it first touched her lips, and then stuck her tongue out again and again as the food rolled out of her mouth. We gave her about five bites all together, and she actually swallowed a little bit and explored the taste of it; however, she was much happier with the milk she received afterwards. A few days ago, she was teething and crying a lot about it. The pain seems to have subsided this week.

8/9/04 - Rebekah had her four month check-up today. The doctor said that she looks fantastic! Her weight is 15 pounds & 8 ounces (90th percentile), length is 25.25 inches (80th percentile) and head circumference is 16.25 inches (60th percentile). The doctor thought her head shape looked much better and he attributed it to her impressive rolling over skills. He noticed a bit of "cradle cap" on her head and suggested that we try sloughing it off with oil and a soft brush. Other than that, everything looks great! She got three shots. Her next check-up will be at six months.

9/16/04 - Rebekah is five months old now. She's around 18 pounds and wears a size 3 diaper. She smiles tons! Her motor skills and coordination are excellent as she easily reaches for and handles items of interest. She's been teething for a few weeks and whining about it. She wakes at night about it, too. Although she's drooling and putting her fingers in her mouth, we don't see redness or teeth yet. Maybe soon. Rebekah started baby food at four months and has done quite well with it. She opens wide and pulls the spoon into her mouth for favorites like butternut squash, carrots, applesauce and pears. She tolerates bananas, and cannot stand oatmeal or rice cereal. Already able to rotate and roll on the floor and in her crib, Rebekah has added scootching backwards to her repetoire. The other day, she back-scootched to the other side of the room.

10/10/04 - Rebekah is six months old! Here she is with Aunt Naomi.

10/14/04 - We took Rebekah in for her 6-month check-up today. It went very well! She weighs almost 18 pounds and is 26 3/4" long. This puts her in the 75th percentile for both. Her head shape is still "a little off," but requires no additional concern. Its circumference is in the 75th percentile. Her two bottom teeth have arrived, so we were advised to start brushing them. The doctor was impressed with Rebekah's physical prowess, remarking that backwards crawling and getting on all fours is advanced for her age. She can also sit for a few moments without support, and rolls all over the place. Rebekah got five shots today (yeowch!), including a single dose of the flu shot. We were told to call again in a few weeks to see if they have supply for a second dose. If not, the single dose will be adequate. The doctor was impressed that she's been doing so well with baby food. She's eating almost everything that Beachnut Stage 1 has to offer. Her next well-visit will be at 9 months.