[picture removed]
Ssssh, it’s Wordless Wednesday.
**************
And now begins the wordy portion of the post! When I use the term “you” today, I’m of course not talking about YOU, but THOSE people.
Ella is very small for her age.
I know.
The shocked looked you give me, with eyebrows raised in question when I tell you she is ten months old feels like a kick in the teeth.
When you continue on and on and on about how small she is, I want to kick YOU in the teeth.
She is small, tiny even.
I knoooooow.
Ella has never been deprived a meal, I can assure you. If she’s hungry, I feed her. Sometimes I even feed her when she’s not hungry.
No she isn’t on the growth chart.
Yes her pediatrician is concerned. But only slightly.
No I’m not concerned.
But I am sensitive. I am sensitive because of your reaction. It’s fine to notice she’s small, (I already know), but it’s not fine to look shocked, even frightened.
She is little. But she is sauc-ay. (please refer to above picture)
I know.
Molly's Mom
March 12, 2008 at 5:34 am
People feel the need to comment, even though it’s not wanted. I had the opposite problem…I’d get things like, “What are you feeding her?” and “You can tell she never misses a meal!”. As if girls don’t have enough issues to worry about in their lives to have body image thrown in before they’re even a year old. Sheesh.
Chin up, Ella, you’re perfect just the way you are
napaboaniya
March 12, 2008 at 6:26 am
A bib has a cape
I hope she didn’t pee on the floor!!!
napaboaniya’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday #12
Tanya
March 12, 2008 at 6:34 am
Aw, she looks very sauc-AY! Too cute!
Tanya’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
Sandi
March 12, 2008 at 6:42 am
People are pain’s in the butt. Believe me..if she wasn’t small they would find something else.. Not enough hair? Too tall? Too heavy?? Fingers too long?? One ear bigger than the other??
Ugh.
Hang in there! Ella looks perfect
Alison
March 12, 2008 at 7:03 am
People are jerks! She looks perfect to me!
My baby is small too…and like Ella, she is FAR from deprived!!
Alison’s last blog post..Funeral Faux Pas?
Rayne of Terror
March 12, 2008 at 7:14 am
Henry is big. He’s as big as an average 5, but he just turned 3. We got a lot of, why is he behaving like that comments when he was 2 and would be acting like a 2. Why can’t he write his name? BECAUSE HE’S THREE.
Rayne of Terror’s last blog post..Weekend in Hoosier Territory
Elizabeth
March 12, 2008 at 7:16 am
She’s absolutely adorable! I was born prematurely and was very tiny. I’m sure my mom got the same looks.
I like your 2008 Book List. Pillars of the Earth is one of my all-time favorites, I also liked Memory Keeper’s Daughter.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..So, um, this blog takes too long to load.
Chris
March 12, 2008 at 7:19 am
I might say, “Oh she’s tiny” because, well duh, babies are tiny! Yes, I’m Miss Obvious. But I wouldn’t go as far as those other ‘you’s. She’s adorable, btw. Happy WW!
Chris’s last blog post..Wordless: Winter Boardwalk
Write From Karen
March 12, 2008 at 7:23 am
Doesn’t that just irritate the crap outta ya when people butt in like that? I mean, that’s why it’s called AVERAGES, because some children are above the curve, some are below, that’s the way it works.
And you know what? She’s PETITE. And in fact, may grow up to be a petite girl, it’s okay. It doesn’t change who she is.
I can SO relate to this, seriously. My youngest son is below the growth charts and is one of the smallest boys in his class – he’s a 7th grader. But you know what? His attitude is WAY BIGGER than his classmates and I’m confident he will catch up.
So, chuck THOSE people; your little girl is precious and has a BIG heart. *smile*
Jean
March 12, 2008 at 7:31 am
People are idiots and are just trying to make stupid conversation . I think she is a very cute Saucee. She’ll be a heartbreaker for sure.
Jean’s last blog post..Hair We Go Again
Andria
March 12, 2008 at 7:39 am
Can I just tell you that my three year old weighs only 24 pounds.
He wears 12 month clothing still.
He has yet to hit the chart. I get all kinds of “petite little boy” remarks and have even had someone suggest he might one day be gay because he is so small. People just like to hear themselves talk and everyone is an expert on everything I have found.
My ped isn’t concerned at all about Adam’s growth. Never has been. She figures thats just how he was made.
Of course, now my baby has to have a big cape too.
Andria’s last blog post..Pretty in Pink
GHD
March 12, 2008 at 7:41 am
To that I would respond, “I don’t know. Is your doctor concerned about your weight/ that ugly mole/ your halitosis…” or , you know, something similar…. But I’m just catty like that!
Ella, you are adorable and perfect… just… the… way… you.. are!
GHD’s last blog post..This Takes The Birthday Cake
houseofelling
March 12, 2008 at 7:48 am
I have the same thing! My 8 month old is on the charts at the 2% percentile. People, I do feed her! But no, I don’t pad her meals with crisco like you have suggested.
I mean really, would you stop feeding a fat baby just because they are off the charts big? No…….
houseofelling’s last blog post..10 “little” things…
storyteller
March 12, 2008 at 7:49 am
Ah … what a sweetie! Great shot and caption ;–)
She looks ‘just right’ to me!
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday #16 Unlikely Friends
tulipmom
March 12, 2008 at 7:52 am
She’s adorable. And proof positive that good things do indeed come in small packages.
tulipmom’s last blog post..34 Weeks Today
Lisa's Chaos
March 12, 2008 at 7:54 am
She is adorable! Those same people will be jealous when she is a sweet little size 0.
I always wished my babies were smaller I never thought about how people would react. We get the opposite reaction with our grandson. He’s way big for his age. Not fat, just all over bigger than other babies his age. He was 8 lbs at birth. He’s 19 lbs at a year and the docs say he’s underweight but when we tell people how old he is, they are surprised. 
Lisa’s Chaos’s last blog post..What am “Eye”?
Shelly
March 12, 2008 at 7:57 am
People are assholes. Your SuperBaby, however, is freaking adorable!
Shelly’s last blog post..Momentous Occasion
Lisa
March 12, 2008 at 8:01 am
It’s always something… People always used to comment on the size of my Sprout. My chunk was 21 pounds at 6 months old and had three chins but he was still adorable. When people asked me what I fed him, I said, “Miracle Grow” like a smart ass and it usually shut them up. I love GHD’s suggestions-HA!
Lisa’s last blog post..I’m Moving, Sort of
MommyCosm
March 12, 2008 at 8:02 am
She’s has that “I may be small, but don’t mess with me” look!
She’s very cute…and someone needs to be on both the low and high end of the charts in order for them to formulate “the norm” anyhow.
She’s perfect.
MommyCosm’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday or Doctor’s Office Entertainment
Kim
March 12, 2008 at 8:08 am
Oh, I love the pic – she looks like she has enough spunk and goofiness to make up for any “tiny-ness”… I have the opposite with my girls… my 10 month old is wearing 10-24 month clothes… and I get the same “It looks like SHE never misses a meal” comments that Molly’s mom talked about. I think that people should be required to THINK before they open their mouths!
BTW, I love the polka dot sweater – my HUGE 10 month old has the same one…altho I’m sure it’s in a much bigger size!
Angelina Yount
March 12, 2008 at 8:08 am
I’m terrified of taking my daughter in for her 18month checkup because I’m afraid the pedi will say she’s underweight and “failing to thrive”. I FEED HER. I do. I have to chase her around the freaking house with a fork sometimes, but I feed her. It is not my fault that we’re poor but just above that ‘hey, the government will give you money!’ mark, and sometimes the only thing we have is cream-o-mushroom soup! I’m doing what I can!
I don’t even know how much she weighs. No clue. A little too big for 12 month clothes, a little too small for 18month, and wearing #4 diapers. So I can safely say she’s between 22 and 37lbs
Jenni
March 12, 2008 at 8:16 am
My daughter was 5 lbs at birth and by her first birthday she was in the -5 percentile.
Thankfully, my pediatrician saw that she was growing consistently, even if in tiny increments, and never encouraged me to stop nursing.
Now, at 4, she is still tiny, but closer to average height.
But, man, in those first few years, I was ready to kill every stranger who commented on how small she was.
Jenni’s last blog post..Think Pink!
Nell
March 12, 2008 at 8:23 am
Ella is gorgeous and people are dumb. A friend of mine just had her second baby (18 months apart, the similarities just keep coming) and both her girls are mini, but also smart and saucy and adorable! They’ll all even out. People just feel like they have to comment on anything that is not completely average – and honestly, who wants to be average?
Nell’s last blog post..What I Want: Part Two
Cass
March 12, 2008 at 8:35 am
I just wanted to say she looks perfect. Delicate and perfect.
Cass’s last blog post..Whachu blogging about Willis?
wright
March 12, 2008 at 8:49 am
She’s sweet and happy. Don’t let others bring you down! Happy WW!
wright’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Flying in Formation
Jerseygirl89
March 12, 2008 at 8:53 am
My two are skinny and I’m so sick of hearing about it – why do people feel it’s okay to comment on kids’ sizes in ways they would never say to adults?
You should just reply, “But at least she’ll never have to worry about her waistline” while you stare meaningfully at the person’s waist.
Jerseygirl89’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Surprise!
Secret Agent Mama
March 12, 2008 at 9:04 am
I’ll never understand why people can’t just shut the fuck up, ya know? I’ve gotten comments, in the past, about how BIG Davey is/was. I’ll just NEVER understand it.
Your beauty is perfect.
Secret Agent Mama’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
Sadie
March 12, 2008 at 9:06 am
I know this feeling all too well. I still get it for K (they think she’s 1, 15 months at best…they almost fall over when they learn she’s actually 2)…and even for M sometimes (she’s tall, but still quite skinny).
M was NEVER on the charts for weight…EVER…yet in the 75% for height. All I ever heard was how TINY she was. I hear it all the time for K.
People are stupid. People need to be educated. It’s my choice to educate them if I’m in a decent enough mood. If I’m not I just smile and nod and move on my way. It’s genetics for both girls, but not just because they are just like us (M is just like hubby, K is just like me)…but because of other genetic issues. On the days I’m in a pissy mood I simply blurt out that K is no bigger than I was at that age (I’m not lying) and move on…and do the same with comparing M to hubby.
It’s all dependant on my mood…but I’m without a doubt sure that people REALLY have no clue or class when it comes to doling out advice and comments about every baby that passes. Some of them need to be bitch-slapped…others just need to be ignored. It’s a very very fine line…and too many people have crossed mine.
Sadie’s last blog post..Update from the Cavity of Sinus (take 2)
rachel
March 12, 2008 at 9:07 am
She is soooo precious!
I feel you. Monkey has always gotten those raised eyebrows and those “but he’s so small”
It bothered me, but he was happy and for the most part healthy. Last month, all of a sudden… he sprouted. Just bit, but it’s enough that he has a teeny bit of chub and he’s starting to really fit the 12 – 18 month clothing. He’s 17 1/2 mos.
You do what’s best for you and mini le binky and let everyone else suck on an egg.
Great picture hon.
rachel’s last blog post..Wam-Whosa?
Christy
March 12, 2008 at 9:07 am
Taylor was really small when she was little. For two years during ages 5 and 6 she stayed at 40 pounds and just grew taller. I was concerned also. She is now 10 and pretty normal other than being a little short, takes after her mama, lol. Don’t worry about it, she will grow at her own pace. Maybe she is going to be one of those little petite cutie girls, who all the tall girls envy. Let me tell you I have never hit my head on anything! LOL
Sarah
March 12, 2008 at 9:20 am
I still get comments on the size of my daughter. She’s just now 30 pounds and weighing enough for a booster. She’ll be 5 in June. Her brother? Will be 3 on Monday and is the same size she is. o.O A lot of this has to do with genetics. I’m 5′4″ and 110-115 pounds (fluctuates a bit), and my husband is 6′2″ and 165 pounds. Not a big guy.
If the doctor is only slightly concerned, who gives a flying fig what anyone else thinks. You’re her mom. You know her, her eating habits, and everything better than anyone
Sarah’s last blog post..Writing in All Caps
Rachel
March 12, 2008 at 9:35 am
I get sick of people saying that to me too. My 26 month old is the size of a 12 month old. YES she is small. But really? I already know that and it’s not necessary for YOU to tell me thankyouverymuch.
And mine is a sassy little thing too.
Ella is adorable!
Smoochiefrog
March 12, 2008 at 9:37 am
My girls are both little for their ages. M is 6.5 and weighs less than 40 lbs and K is 2.5 and weighs 25lbs.
When M was 2 she was labeled as “failure to thrive”. We turned in a food diary and they were shocked at everything she ate. That shut them up instantly. Some people just have wicked fast metabolisms (wish I did) and my girls have that.
Your darling is beautiful just as she is. As long as she’s gaining something, I totally wouldn’t worry about it.
Smoochiefrog’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday-Guess Which Daughter Style
Mandy
March 12, 2008 at 9:37 am
Ok.
Ella is perfect, let NO ONE tell you otherwise.
We have dealt with the SAME nonsense since Mallory was born. She is 4, and is still a teeny, tiny thing – wearing some of her 18 month stuff. I brought up my concerns to the doctor, and we are lucky to have a wonderful one, who assured me that she is a happy, healthy, perfect girl.
Who is sauc-ay as well! I think they just make up for their size with their giant personalities.
Mandy’s last blog post..I’m Ready
Sandy
March 12, 2008 at 9:47 am
Next time you see someone looking shocked or horrified ask them sincerely if they are ok and if they need to see a doctor.
Really, I hate it when strange people feel the need to comment on your kids. Babyhead has a birthmark on his head that people always feel the need to talk to me about like it is any of their business. It is actually annoying when I tell them he was born with it and they continue on and on like it is a scar (it does look like a scar)…almost like I am hiding something like I abuse my kid. I just want to punch them in the face.
Sandy’s last blog post..Saw the Surgeon today…isn’t good…
Amber
March 12, 2008 at 10:01 am
I am glad I am not the only one that feels this way. My daughter is also very small for her age and people always feel the need to tell me that I must not be feeding her enough. Or the lovely, “your milk must not be good enough.” She is happy, developmentally on track and wonderful in my eyes.
Mama DB
March 12, 2008 at 10:07 am
She IS sauc-ay! And adorable and a little sneaky, like you are going to have your hands full in about 7 months when she is conspiring with her big brother.
We had the opposite problem. Both of mine were HUGE and people let us know it.
Mama DB’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Roots
(the other) Maggie
March 12, 2008 at 10:27 am
Sauc-ay, indeed! I think she looks just perfect. If you trust her doctor, and the doctor isn’t too concerned from a medical standpoint, that’s all that really matters. People can be so annoying sometimes.
(the other) Maggie’s last blog post..Extremely Random Tuesday
abunslife
March 12, 2008 at 10:35 am
There are so many of us in the same boat. My son turns 6 this summer and I was overjoyed when he got on the scale this weekend and he finally hit 37 lbs. 37! I get comments all the time about how cute and little he is. “don’t worry, he’ll grow.” No shit, shirlock. Of course, I’m only 5′1 and 105 lbs myself and daddy is only 5′10 so chances are he isn’t going to be the tallest or biggest kid on the block. Many people think he my 3 year old daughter are twins because they are so close in size. I even had a mom laugh at him because he was so small (she just couldn’t believe that he was in kindergarten) while we were on a field trip. I blogged about it,,,,,,it’s titled “Don’t make the mamma bear come out.” So for all the questioning looks you get, you have just as many moms out there that know just how you feel.
abunslife’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
Not the Queen
March 12, 2008 at 10:36 am
She is absolutely darling!
Not the Queen’s last blog post..Baby Alert
jen
March 12, 2008 at 10:36 am
my daughter was the same way. My 1st son is heavier than she is, and she’s got 18 months on him. My baby boy is shaping up to be the same, except I think it’s worse with boys.
I won’t annoy you any further other than I know how you feel. And it was so funny when my daughter was walking around at a year old, people’s heads would snap back and ask me “oh my! how old is she!?” like she was some kind of walking prodigy! I loved that. Even now people don’t believe she’s almost 4 and talks circles around them.
jen’s last blog post..my day. you want to know how my day was?
Elle
March 12, 2008 at 10:41 am
Tiny baby girls are the best! I had two of them.
They were in a booster seat until they started middle school. But they sure have huge personality!
Your little Ella is darling!
Elle’s last blog post..Spooky’s latest cheer routine
Melizzard
March 12, 2008 at 10:55 am
She is adorable! I promise not to look shocked but can I look like I want to grab her up and cuddle her to pieces? I miss the babies…
Melizzard’s last blog post..Melissa’s Facts on MS
Meredith
March 12, 2008 at 10:58 am
It amazes how people like to offer their two cents on stuff that isn’t their business. She may be dainty, but she looks extremely happy and healthy. Grr to them. I would be tempted to say something along the lines of, “Yes, she probably won’t have to deal with weight problems like SOME of us….”
Little Elvis’ bibs used to do the same thing, and I always called them his little capes, too.
Kitty
March 12, 2008 at 11:38 am
My little ones always on the 10th percentile and people seem to love nothing more than telling me he’s small….. so I share your less than enthusiastic view of people telling you something that you already know! People always want to tell you how to fix it blah blah blah
Irene
March 12, 2008 at 11:58 am
My SIL went through the same thing with her daughter. She was a tiny thing. And her doctors were concerned. And they put her through test after test after test. And weigh in after weigh in after weigh in. But she was happy and healthy and developing just fine. She was just tiny.
And guess what? She is almost 3 and NOTHING is wrong with her, she is just petite! Doctor’s drive me crazy sometimes.
I think Ella looks perfectly A-OK to me!
Irene’s last blog post..My toughest year
Beth
March 12, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I have one girl in the 98% and one in the 5%, so I get comments on both ends. Clearly, I let the big one eat all the little ones food so it is all my fault.
She looks perfect to me!
Beth’s last blog post..365/7
janet
March 12, 2008 at 12:25 pm
roo-girl is very tiny as well. as a 5th grader she was frequently taken for a kindergartener or 1st grader.
we use it to our advantage at movie theaters and for kids menus, but now that she’s 13 and likes to wear makeup, it’s a little harder.
our standard line?
good things come in small packages.
and ella looks like a TOTALLY good thing to me!
janet’s last blog post..Blondes really DO have more fun … or is it just that they’re funny?
Stephanie
March 12, 2008 at 12:28 pm
She is SOO cute!!
((HUGS)) We get BOTH ends of the spectrum! We get asked when Liv will be 4 (she’ll be 6 in August) and how long Gabe’s been 1 (he’ll be 9 months on the 19th). I get told about calorie laden foods and chided for feeding him too much!!
Stephanie’s last blog post..Hey! It’s a Party!
Bottles barbies and boys
March 12, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Couldn’t you just squeeze that tushy!