Vital stats:
18 weeks, 2 days old
13 lbs. 15 oz.
25″ tall
Round number 2 of shots today. They weren’t nearly so traumatic as last time, apparently – just a few tears instead of screaming bloody murder. Carolyn’s still in the 50th percentile for weight, but she jumped to the 75th for height! Maybe she got Denis’ tall genes instead of my short ones?
We got to talk about starting solids today. On the one hand I can’t wait, but on the other, I don’t think Carrie’s quite ready yet and I – yes, me, Carrie’s Mommy – think it would be better to wait. Unless she starts signaling that she needs solids before then, I’m planning to wait until after the musical is over – so another 5 or 6 weeks. I’m sure people will think I’m cruel, because she watches us intently and drools when we eat, so of course she must be starving. In fact, I get comments about it from family, friends, and complete strangers already. But she also watches intently and drools when I knit, fold clothes and talk on the phone. So obviously I ought to give her some knitting needles, the laundry detergent and a calling card. (Oops, was that as sarcastic as it sounds?)
The other thing I don’t get (as long as I’m on an “I’m the mommy so I know best” rant) is why there seems to be this prevailing attitude that babies are out to get their parents. It’s not just the pediatrician, it’s also (well-meaning, I’m sure) family, friends, and the ever-present complete strangers. The general gist is that if you respond to your crying baby in the middle of the night, she’s training you to respond to her when she cries. This is a Bad Thing, because then she learns that she can get what she wants out of you by crying long enough or hard enough. I believe that if I don’t respond to my crying baby in the middle of the night, all she learns is that when she needs me most I won’t come. We’ll work the sleep thing out eventually, I’m sure, and in the meantime I’m just going to lie to people and say through a sweet smile, “why, yes, she sleeps through the night like a perfect angel!” when they ask.
Wow. Apparently, I needed to get that off my chest. Now I need to go check on Carrie, since she’s been sleeping since we left the pediatrician’s office two hours ago. I guess getting shots is hard work!
Don’t you just love all those people who know how to raise your children better than you do? My neighbor still calls me when she thinks my youngest needs a coat or shoes on, and he’s 14! It’s easier just to agree with them. And neither of my boys had anything but breast milk for 5-6 months and they’re not stunted. I also don’t think babies are smart enough (don’t get mad!) to manipulate us into “serving” them. They just cry when they need something, and how cruel is it to say, hey that’s life, get used to it? Isn’t it better to say, I’ll always be here for you when you need me????
When kids are teenagers, parents wish they would call for them when they need help. Seems like one should enjoy it while one can.
I just came across your email and believe with you whole-heartedly. I baby doesn’t know it’s manipulating you. They just want to know they are protected. My girl is three now and I never have problems with her sleeping because she knows mommy will be there if need be. So go on and pick your baby up when she cries. It doen’t last long!!!