Healthy Busy-Body

It's hard to believe Karlee will be 9 months old tomorrow. We had her 9 month appointment this morning and all went well. She weighs 16 lbs 6 oz and is 26 1/2 inches long. Dr. Greer said we were going to have our hands full with her because she is so busy and active. He was impressed that she was pulling herself to standing so well, walking along furniture, saying "daddy", and climbing stairs (yes, climbing stairs is a trick daddy taught her). She climbed all the way upstairs last night with daddy following very close behind. I think she tries to say "Sable" when she comes around. The "ble" part is very distinct. No "momma" yet but we are close. I think God lets children say "daddy" easy because it makes the daddy feel better and like they accomplished something. We all know that the mommas are the ones doing all the real work!!

I know this is controversial to some of you out there, but we let Karlee get the flu shot today. We had a long conversation with Dr. Greer and even looked at the box and package insert. His office uses strictly the pediatric dose with no preservatives at all and no live virus. It has a very short shelf life with no preservatives so they are constantly ordering and replacing out dated shots they don't use. It also does not give the child any symptoms of the flu nor any of the normal vaccine symptoms like fever or soreness (which Karlee has never had with any of her other vaccines anyway). Karlee did well with the shot and didn't make a whimper. She acted like nothing happened at all. This was a big decision Chip and I made together today. We went into the office with no expectations of giving her the flu shot. Karlee is not in daycare of any sort now but will start a mother's day out program in January. We know the flu was awful last year and has the possibilities of being worse this year. We did what we thought was safe and best for our child. All of the research and literature out there just scares the living daylights out of me. We are extremely lucky to have a pediatrician that we trust fully and takes the time to answer and fully explain all of my million questions.