Growing Like a Beanstalk!

It's truly amazing - what pharmacological enhancement can do! Better than eating your lima beans and broccoli - and arguably less painful and nauseating. Eli started on growth hormone injections just over 2 months ago and he growing like a beanstalk! The cute little gap-jeans that have fit him for the past 2 years are finally looking like capri's (or waders - take your pick).

Beyond the height (Jacob and I argue that it is between 1/2 to 1 inch: yes, of course we argue over 1/2 an inch!), Eli's body composition has also changed. Without growth hormone for the past year and a half Eli's little belly had become a pudgy-dimpling little thing (yup-like cellulite!) and his arms and legs lacked any significant muscle mass. But since starting growth hormone his belly is nearly gone, no more dimples, and he has started to get stronger and stronger as he builds lean muscle mass. It is really remarkable how rapid the change has been. I wish that I taken "before" and "after" pictures!!!

While we are very excited I don't think Eli has totally caught on! We have set up a little measuring "station" on the kitchen wall. Eli has measured all his stuffed animals, his trains, his belly-button, even his blanket has a place on the wall. He knows that the shots are going to help him grow big and strong, but he's not sure it's worth the 15 seconds of pain every night! He is amazing about getting his shots: He chooses which leg he wants the injection and then says "Okay, I'll take my shot, but I'm not going to like it!" Sometimes we don't know whether to laugh or cry. After each shot Eli places a sticker in a little calendar book. He loves stickers and it helps to give him some purpose and control over the situation. He likes to see how many stickers he has accrued!

We have an appointment with endocrinology next month and we will get an official height check! For now it looks like Eli is about 35.5". We'll give you all an official report after our appointment.

That's it for now!
Our best to you and yours...and don't forget to eat your spinach (because we all can't get growth hormone prescriptions and I'd rather get a shot every night than have to eat lima beans or broccoli!)...yuck!!!

Meagan

ps check out Eli's newest videos on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/goldngump