Janen's Nine Month Checkup (at 9 1/2 months)

Weight:  20 pounds 7 ounces - 71 percentile
Height:  30 inches - 98 percentile (Janen is one tall girl)
Head: 17.25 in - 38 percentile

Janen had her hemoglobin test today that showed she is border line low on her levels. Which may mean she's not getting enough iron. Which amazes me because Janen is a good eater. But we are going to increase her solids to 3 times a day and start feeding her some table foods and hope after a few weeks her levels stabilize.


But something else that concerns me more is that the Nurse Practitioner found a heart murmur and another doctor came in to check in and confirmed that Janen has a heart murmur. They say it is not common for a baby her age to have one so it calls for some concern. Janen may have to see a cardiologist to see what's going on in that little heart of hers. I asked if the anemia and heart murmur had anything to do with each other and she said it was more common in adults, but less common in infants which is why we are being referred to a cardiologist. We really hope it is just the anemia and that within 6 weeks with getting more iron in her body, it will go away. I would hate to find out that my baby has a heart defect or some kind of heart disease so your prayers would be appreciated.

On a more positive note. Janen is getting her top two teeth and she is taking it like a champ! She is cruising all over the place on furniture and is starting to stand on her own for a few seconds at a time. I think by ten months she will be able to stand really well on her own and then we'll start practicing her first steps! I can't believe she is going to be walking in just a couple of months! Baby proofing has become a process around here. Just when we think we don't need to baby proof anymore, she surprises us and starts climbing on the shelves! Both of her feet some how made it to the second level of the shelf. I was amazed! But also annoyed because we had to move the shelf to a place where she couldn't climb on it. I wasn't expecting this until she started walking, but there you have it.


Here's a quick look at how sweet Janen can be. she loves to give kisses to her stuffed animals and even started making the "mwah" sound a few days ago. she gives me one kiss in the morning and that's it, but she'll kiss the face off her animals. Kind of like how I like to kiss her face off! ;)