Burden for Brazil

It’s official; Mishael’s has hit double digits. Craziness. And in only two months, he’ll complete his first trip around the sun!  Of course, we hope it will come back out to celebrate his special day; but for now, Mishael is enjoying the rain!

APRIL (10 months)
Weight:  9.27 kg = 20.44 lbs
Height: 75 cm = 29.5 in
Head circumference:  48 cm = 18.9 in

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…

JANUARY (7 months)
Weight: 8.135 kg = 17.9 lbs
Height: 72 cm = 28.35 in
Head circumference: 46 cm = 18.1 in

I know, I know.  I’m posting January’s stats in February, but oh well.  At least they’re here.  With that way the months keep flying by, it’s no wonder parents resort to counting by years instead of months!  I remember after celebrating the third day (or so) of cloth diapers, I thought to myself, “Why in the world am I counting the days!?  Who wants to reach the 452nd day of cloth diapers!!”

The babe is doing great, although his pediatrician was a little concerned at our last visit due to Mishael’s low weight gain; however, Mishael grew three centimeters, so he’s obviously not starving.  After talking with several other moms (including my own), I decided to chalk it up to MR’s lack of weight gain to (1) his active lifestyle — the kid does not sit still! — and (2) his transition to solid food.

Finger lickin' good!

Yes, we’re in the transitioning mode to solids, which includes a new array of sights and smells on both the dinner table as well as the changing table!

The transition has been an interesting cultural experience.  When we began feeding Mishael solids, his pediatrician wrote out an elaborate schedule, which included a variety of things that I disagreed with (i.e. starting out on a mixture of foods, including citrus fruits, etc.), so I smiled, nodded, and carefully tucked the schedule in MR’s folder for safe keeping.  Then I proceeded to begin asking mom-friends and researching on the internet how to transition to solids.

My training has included making baby food, which is not difficult to do but it is time consuming as the only dishwasher in our house walks around on two feet and answers to “mommy.”  Then again, most baby-oriented tasks are time-consuming, aren’t they?  So little-by-little we’re making progress, enjoying the adventure every step of the way!

After this meal with squash, Mishael lost the privilege of eating on the couch. Anyone wonder why!

Brazilian bananas must have a stronger taste as evidenced in Mishael's initial reaction; however, they're now a favorite, especially when mixed with apple.

Mishael playing with his food (sweet potatoes and spinach).

"What do you mean there's no more mango!?"

You may notice the varying background in Mishael’s meal pictures.  That’s because until a week ago, we didn’t have a high chair for him, which presented some inconveniences but was definitely d0-able.  (We “secured” him to a stack of plastic chairs.)  Now, however, we’ve upgraded to a Fisher Price booster seat (a special thanks to the Dennis Family Freight Co.) and Mama Bear has never been happier.  Who knew how much a tray and a seatbelt — oh, and a washable surface! — could simplify mealtime!  But it’s the little things that keep life exciting!

Nothing "beets" a new high chair for this happy boy!

DECEMBER (6 months)
Weight: 7.9 kg = 17.42 lbs
Height: 69 cm = 27.2 in
Head circumference: 45 cm = 17.7 in

With another month under his belt (literally), Mishael continues to grow – and in more ways than one!  Notice anything different about his smile?

Happily, Mishael’s two bottom teeth made their appearance just in time for G’ma Lundberg to get a good look at them during her Thanksgiving visit.  Although a runny nose and excessive drool played a prelude to the teeth’s simultaneous debute, Mishael continued to make mommyhood easy through his relaxed acceptance of his new teeth, a definite blessing!

Five months, já?  Time certainly flies when your having fun.  Or maybe it’s just all those diapers that make it such a blur.

NOVEMBER (5 months)
Weight: 7.375 kg = 16.26 lbs
Height: 67 cm = 26.4 in
Head circumference: 44 cm = 17.3 in

At any rate, we visited Dr. Airton near the end of November for Mishael’s five-month check-up.  Mishael is doing great, still putting on weight (who knew that was a good thing!?) and gearing up to introduce solids next month, which will prove to be another interesting culture point in my care of Mishael.

Overall “baby food” means something very different to a Brazilian mom than an American one.  The tentative schedule I received from the doctor favors much more fruit than vegetables.  The majority of fruits are juices and the vegetables are all soups, both mixtures rather than individual fruits or vegetables.  Interestingly, the Brazilians don’t usually cook apple before feeding it to babies.  Instead they cut the apple in half horizontally (contrary to the typical horizontal American cut); then, cupping one half of it like a small bowl, they scrape out a small bite with a spoon.  What will they think when I make applesauce?  But that is not my only planned modification.

The majority of research that I have done so far encourages introducing one (steamed then puréed) vegetable/fruit at a time over a course of 3-5 days (even up to a week) to help detect allergies.  The plan is to start with carrots, followed by banana (uncooked, of course), and then perhaps spinach to get a “green” in (peas aren’t an option here).  How’s that for an exciting menu plan?  I’m sure that what Mishael’s pediatrician will think, as well!

With that said, if anybody has some “baby food” advice, tips or perhaps a more concrete schedule, etc., please do share.  As a rookie, I can use all the advice I can get, especially since I won’t be buying baby food.  Until recently, baby food bottles weren’t even available in the stores.  Now they are, but they are incredibly expensive (kind of like the Campbell’s soup I unexpectedly encountered the other day).  Besides, homemade food is healthier.  (Isn’t that true of most foods?)  So let the adventure begin!

Mishael watching Sunday afternoon "football" with Daddy.

Mishael helping Mommy with the laundry...principally by self-entertainment and the use of very little clothing.

Mishael absorbed in a good book.

Curious minds want to know.  Of those, of those, it’s usually the mothers who pay attention to growth stats.  The long and the short of Mishael’s measurements is he’s definitely growing (PTL!). In attempt to get current, I’m going to play catch-up in this post and put in Mishael’s stats from birth to now (which makes them more impressive, anyway!).

BIRTH
Weight: 2.840 kg = 6.25 lbs
Height: 50 cm = 19.7 in
Head circumference: 34 cm

JULY (1 month)
Weight: 3.920 kg = 8.64 lbs
Height: 54 cm = 21.3 in
Head circumference: 38 cm = 15 in

AUGUST (2 months)
Weight:  4.970 kg = 10.96 lbs
Height:  58 cm = 22.8 in
Head circumference:  40 cm = 15.7 in

SEPTEMBER (3 months)
Weight:  5.675 kg = 12.51 lbs
Height:  62 cm = 24.4
Head circumference:  42 cm = 16.5 in

OCTOBER (4 months)
Weight:  6.725 kg = 14.83 lbs
Height:  65 cm = 25.6 in
Head circumference:  43 cm = 16.9 in

Check out the rolls on this Michelin Man!!