I wanted to give a quick update on Alana’s weight….we had her 9 month pediatrician visit last week and sadly, she went from the 7th percentile in weight (which was obviously already very low) to being off the chart (on the low end) altogether. This poor little girl just doesn’t gain very much, or very fast. At 9 months, she is only 14 pounds 2 ounces, which doesn’t even reside on the curve of average infant statistics.
I just keep telling myself that as long as she looks and acts normal and healthy then she probably is. The Dr. gave me formula to supplement, but I am already giving her solids and I’m still nursing, so she is always full after that and won’t take the formula (nor do I really want to give it to her, as I feel nursing and solids should be sufficient).Â
Anyway, if I have any blog readers who want to give me their 2 cents about Alana’s age and weight, please feel free to share your experiences! Is the scale of average/healthy weight on the high end in America because we have lots of fat babies, or is truly a legitimate indicator of healthy ranges for babies? Either way, I know that all babies are different and I am not too concerned. It’s just that this is my first time dealing with these issues and it’s all so intriguing!Â
Okay, moving on! I have pictures to post!Â
Did you all know that Cheerios are very serious business??? Check out the unwavering focus here!Â
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I really think Alana is a much happier baby now that she’s mobile. She laughs and smiles about ten times more than she did when she was confined by her developmental level! Now, with strength, balance, and honed motor skills, she’s just basking in the possibilities! Â
(Notice the cheerio chillin’ on her bum) 
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Mouthful of cheerios!Â
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A couple photos of Kellie time from this past week!Â
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(hats are so fun)
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This was taken at Kellie’s house in a pile of fabric. We were crafting, and since Alana was so interested in all of our fabric, we let her sit right in the middle of a pile that had just been washed.Â
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The next thing I knew, she had the tape measure in her mouth and was making a hilarious face. Ah, so cute.Â
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A few days ago, Alana attempted to crawl underneath her Exersaucer to retrieve a Gerber Puff (that I didn’t even know was there, and it was probably completely stale). As soon as she reached it, she put it in her mouth and then realized her plight…
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…she was stuck! She started crying immediately, and I could tell she was scared. So I quickly snapped a photo and then carefully extracted her. I think I am her hero now. Now, if I can just figure out a way to maintain this status throughout her childhood and into her teen years…
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Just some mommy-’Lana time from a couple of days ago…
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Then on Wednesday we had a lunch date with Steve, Shannon, and Baby Foy. We enjoyed good food and even better company! Foy is just two months younger than Alana, and the two of them were so cute. Foy even tried Cheerios for the first time! Now that is monumental!Â
Here is Shannon with Alana…
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And Rich with Foy…
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And the hideous parking lot self-portrait! But hey, we document regardless!!!
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Okay! Tomorrow we are off to a Labor Day pool party with friends and then off to his parents house for a cookout, so I am sure we will have more fun photos to post soon!
Until then, everybody have a great Labor Day tomorrow, and we will see you soon!Â
Aww, she is too cute Heather! And hey, she may be on the small side, but she’ll catch up. And yes you are correct, the standard that the doctors use has every size baby included. And I think b/c Americans are large to begin with, our babies are going to be bigger than what they were 20 years ago. Avery is still on the ’small’ side compared to other babies, but as you said, as long as they are happy and growing they’re ok. I’m gonna email you some things I did to help Avery gain weight-it worked for us.
Happy Labor Day!
I’m not sure Smeather - I was 14 lbs 2 oz when I came out! So I am not sure that I have any comforting advice
She is getting beautiful though. I can’t wait until Thanksgiving. I look at that picture of her in the little turkey outfit I bought for her when I came out last year. I can’t believe how much she will have changed since that day.
You’re the right track…As long as Alana’s playing and happy, she’s doing great. Doctor’s opinions are important, yet don’t let it worry you. When Brennen got ear infections (he’s had 3), the first sign was always that he didn’t eat, sleep or play well. I was so glad when I finally figured that out. Those are clues for babies and toddlers since they can’t express with words. I think the combination of all 3 is his sign for an ear infection, but any one on there own (like not sleeping) can just be teething. Babies can be very different and you’ll know Little Lana best. You’re doing a great job! BTW, cheerios will continue to entertain for months! After drooling on his fingers, B likes to pick a cheerio up with one finger ’cause it sticks there until he eats it. LOL.
Hi Heather. Your mom passed your blog onto me and I love seeing the wonderful photography of you two and Alayna.
My daughter, Jenna Braddock, is a dietician and I’m going to ask her if she has any information regarding Alayna’s weight, ok.
Say “Hi” to Rich and Alayna.
Love, Jenna
hey girly
Alana doesn’t look too skinny…she’s beautiful, happy, ahead in many skills and is getting a lot of lovin’ 
have no worries 
Morgan (i’m assuming) is still in the 97% for weight. Only 3 of every 100 chubby babies outrank her! yikes! but like you say…you feed them on a schedule…balance their diet and leave the rest to the God who designed “growing” to the detail 
have a great week! i’m loving the thoughts of fall coming soon 
can’t wait to see fall pics on your blog 
love,
i’d love to send some of morgan’s chubs Alana’s way…but alas, God has made her chubby for a reason. i bet she and Alana eat the same amount…however, Alana is quite mobile as such a young age! Morgan wants to be, but the rolls are a bit hindersome
i LOVE your little family and all the writing and pics…i makes for a good coffee break when my girls are napping or self-entertaining
mel
Hi Heather - I am just now reading this entry. you know what Alana looks healthy and as long as she IS eating, I wouldn’t be too concerned. Javan started of in the 95% for weight and height and steadily dropped in the weight category. He was in the 10% for weight for the longest time and finally at his 2yr check up he moved up to 20%. Our doc says he’s just very mobile but as long as he eats dont sweat it! Alana is very mobile so she just expends all her energy really quickly - she’s beautiful, healthy and happy and thats most important!
hi, late but thought I would give you a comment, Gabriella came out @ 9lb 1oz, she was on the higher end at the beginning, I nursed her for 2.5 yrs, when I stopped her weight gain was slower, some babies once mobile don’t gain as quickly, we substituted with pediasure (and still give her a glass a day) for 1 reason, with not gaining much weight, and eating a whole lot we wanted to make sure she was getting enough vitamins and minerals…so that’s what we did…and hey she is 6.5 and healthy….baby Quinn, well not so much a baby anymore is not a big eater and on the small size, Shawn substitutes with whole milk and pediasure when he visits my house…okay, now that’s it…