Burden for Brazil

Finally, finally, finally.

Ever since Mishael has started on solids and experienced that slight lull in weight gain, his pediatrician has been dubious of my method.  But finally that has changed.  At Mishael’s nine month check-up, Dr. Airton actually complimented me on Mishael’s progress, especially M’s health.  In fact, he said, “I’ve never had a child (patient) so healthy!”  (Well, he actually said, “Eu nunca tive uma criança tão saudavel!”)  Yay!

Of course, the doctor’s comment is relative.  I can’t be too excited because I know that Brazilian parents tend to overreact to changes in their child’s health.  Any sort of deviation from the norm is justification for a hospital visit.  Really.  What’s truly amazing is that this mindset exists independent of social class and level of education.  So I well understand how the fact that Dr. Airton is not on my cell phone speed dial (as he is on the phone’s of all his other patients!) would impress him.

On the other hand, Carol has also commented on Mishael’s good health, especially here in Brazil where sanitation levels are a little (or a lot!) less than those in the States.  I can only attribute Mishael’s health to God’s grace.  And is he not the picture of health?

MARCH (9 months)
Weight: 8.89 kg = 19.5 lbs
Height: 74.5 cm = 29.3 in
Head circumference: 47 cm = 18.5 in

Thus continues Mishael’s growth as he enters into his first Brazilian rainy season because, ready or not, it’s here…as are more teeth that’s he’s added to his collection.  He’s now up to six.  And with all the drooling and chomping going on lately, there are others not too far behind.

You know that nagging feeling you get when there was something you wanted to do, but you can’t remember what it is?  For me, that something was posting Mishael’s eight month check-up stats (now that we’re scheduled for his 10 month check-up next week!)

FEBRUARY (8 months)
Weight: 8.4 kg =  lbs
Height: 72 cm = 28.35 in
Head circumference: 47 cm = 18.5 in

In comparison to his seven month stats, it would appear that Mishael didn’t grow.  Personally, I don’t see how that can be since I’m the one snapping his trousers on and off all day long.  My only explanation is that the doctor is a less than exact in his measuring, which I regularly serve witness to.

Mishael’s awareness of his surroundings also continues to grow, and he was fascinated with the “farm animals” during our last visit interior.

Just as Mishael was enchanted with the animals, our hostess Ivanette was enchanted with her little guest.

Ivanette wasn’t the only one who liked Mishael’s presence.  The mosquitoes also enjoyed him; in fact, they found Mishael quite tasty.

I had assumed this would be the case, so I had taken a mosquito net to cover Mishael’s Pack & Play (sooooooo thankful that Mom & Dad brought it to Brazil!!).  Unfortunately, although Mishael played fine in it during the day, he had no intention of sleeping in it, which he made quite clear!  As a result, he slept with me in the hammock.

(Sidenote: Anybody remember those fortunately/unfortunately stories!?  Unfortunately, this was just an “unfortunate” story!)

Unfortunately, I had forgotten to pack the bed sheets (occasionally sheets are used for the “cold,” but their main use is to keep off the mosquitoes).  All we had was a few baby blankets to keep us covered (it was only just enough), and they were hot and ineffective as either Mishael kicked them off or they slipped out of place.  Thus, I didn’t get a lot of sleep, but I did manage to keep Mishael covered – that is, until the wee, early hours of the morning when the heat got to be too much for both of us.  I figured the mosquitoes had already done (or tried to do) their worst, so I uncovered our heads.  The picture below shows the result.

I don’t know how well you’re able to see the pic on your computer screen, but Mishael has more than 50 bug bites on his head.  It was sight.  *sigh*  Poor guy.  What kind of mother does he have anyway?  I bet she’s a-day-late-a-dollar-short kind of girl.  You know, the kind that posts dated info on her blog…