Underweight Chubby Baby?

My dear daughter had her 12 month well-baby check up today. She's growing nicely, in terms of head circumference and length. However, she has only gained a pound since her 9 month check-up. The doctor said not to be too concerned with her slow weight gain because she looks healthy. In fact, our daughter has the cute rolls of fat on her forearms and thighs. She seems to be of average weight for her age but, given her progressive weight gain through the first 9 months of her life, the doctor had expected her to weigh more than 20 lbs.

I found the slight contradiction rather strange. She's a chubby baby - double chin and rolls - but she's relatively underweight compared with other babies who have grown at the same rate as her from birth to 9 months? I'm not too worried about it but I wonder how accurate such growth charts can be. After all, adults have a weight range, usually a generous 20-25 lbs. difference between underweight and overweight. How can we subject babies to a stricter guideline? Shouldn't we consider the baby's size (naturally thin or "big-boned") and his or her parent's size (small, short parents usually have similarly shaped children). I'm 5' 3'', 125 lbs. My husband is 5' 6'', 170 lbs. We're relatively small and short people. Isn't it just natural that our daughter would fall on the thin (or light) side as well? Just a thought.

Happy Birthday to my dear daughter!

At 9:23 p.m. on Janaury 24, 2005 - one year today - my life changed forever. I was given the most precious gift I have ever received: my beloved daughter. As the doctors placed her on my stomach, I had no way of knowing how much she would change my life. She has given me a new purpose and meaning in life and I have become acutely aware of the huge responsibility that God has given me in raising and educating this precious soul. I have heard so many parents talk about the love they had for their children, and how the depth of that love surprised them. But I had no way of knowing exactly what they meant until I became a parent myself.

A year ago today, I had no way of knowing what my daughter would mean to me. And now I know that she is the love of my life, the best thing that ever happened to me.

Happy 1st Birthday, my precious girl! I hope for you only the best in life. I hope for you a life a full of laughter, hope, kindness, and love.

January 22, 2006: My baby's first birthday party

My husband, daughter and I went to Canada for our daughter's first birthday party. My parents were kind enough to organize and host the party for her and they did a wonderful job. There were at least 10 kids, and their parents, in attendance. The food was delicious and the cake was huge! The party theme was Winnie the Pooh and everything was imprinted with the bear's image: the tableclothes, plates, napkins, decorations, streamers, loot bags, pinata and cake.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I had a blast hanging out with my brothers, sisters and their significant others. Most of all, I loved watching my daughter as she spent time with so many people who loved her. She was hugged and kissed so much and still managed to smile and laugh through it all.

Is that normal: Part Two

I was walking into the bathroom at work and I started to think: if the world was suddenly taken over by zombies, how would I escape if I was stuck in the bathroom? I actually formulated an escape route (by removing ceiling tiles). I've already mapped out an escape route in case I get caught while in the office.

I know that zombies are as real as unicorns and leprechauns. I know this but it doesn't stop me from surveying the space around me and determining the best way out if faced with the undead. My husband laughs at me and I'd laugh along with him if I wasn't so busy figuring out an escape plan for our apartment.

My dream "career"

I read an article on MSN.com that really opened up my eyes to what I really want to be doing with my life right now. The article, entitled " How to Tell If You Like Your Job ... And How to Start Over If You Don't," showed me that I don't necessarily hate my job; I would just rather be doing something else. And that something else is taking care of my daughter full-time.

I know this world does not appreciate the jobs that stay-at-home moms do. People assume that stay-at-home moms sit around all day, eating bonbons and watching T.V. (a la Peggy Bundy of Married With Children.) But when I'm at home with my daughter, I rarely have a moment to just sit and relax. Besides, I really want to be "in the trenches" with her, on the floor playing, reading or conversing. If money were not a factor, the only place I want to be is at home with my daughter. I want to be the one to raise her. I want to be the one to kiss away all her boo-boos. I want to be a stay-at-home mom. It's the most challenging, rewarding and most underappreciated job in the world but it's my dream job right now.