We're Getting So Big!

It was about Halloween when we got the latest weight, measurements, and developmental benchmarks from the doctor. Since it's been holiday busy around here, I'm just now getting around to posting them. Each child will tell about their accomplishments...well, sort of.

I was so eager to see the doctor. I like watching her listen to my heart go bump bump, my lungs when I breath, and she put me on a big kid scale. She even tapped my knee with a hammer and I laughed because it tickled. I got a flu shot for the first time and I was so brave. I didn't even cry! Here's the latest info on me.





*I weigh 32 lbs. and I'm 37 inches tall.
*I wear a size 7 shoe and my favorite shoes are my rainboots.
*I can color, cut with help, and string beads.
*I can count to 10, recognize most letters, and recognize my shapes...even when they are in the environment (Example: I recognized a bunch of parallelograms in the cement walkway).
*I did not know my full name, but then mommy and daddy practiced with me until I did.
*I can hop, jump, spin, walk the stairs, balance on one foot, catch and throw a ball. I do have a hard time riding my tricycle and running fluidly though. Maybe in a few months I'll have it down.
*My language skills are getting better. More people understand what I'm saying. My sentences can have up to 6 or 7 words and I usually include polite words.
*I love to sing and I've almost memorized several songs.
Some of my favorite music comes from Signing Time, Barney, Sesame Street, and church songs. I Love to See the Temple and I am a Child of God are my most favorite with I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home and I Am Like a Star coming in for a close second.
*I love to pretend. All my toys are real people with real emotions. I'm busy dressing up, cooking in the kitchen, and taking care of my many babies. Lately I've really been busy pretending to be a doctor, to have birthdays parties and taking a shower.
*Speaking of kitchen, I try to always help mommy in the kitchen. I grab my stool and watch, but then I always want to help. Sometimes mommy makes me get down from my stool because I get too close to the stove or my fingers grab food too close to the knife. I just want to help!
*I'm still shy around new people and some strangers scare me. But yesterday, I went to a birthday party and I lost my mom. She was helping me put things away. She turned around and I ran into another room. I realized I didn't know where I was and mom wasn't there either, so I asked a nice lady, "Where's my mom?" Just then mommy appeared right behind me and she was happy that I asked another nice mommy for help.
*I like to do most things by myself these days. I like to wash my hands by myself, dress myself (even though I have a hard time) and I really want to wipe myself by mommy still insists on helping me.
*This is a bad time of year for my skin. I have really sensitive skin and when it gets cold my eczema bothers me. I try to keep lotion on me and we'll try a humidifier and a baking soda bath, but so far nothing has helped. I also have a scalp irritation. Mommy's been washing my hair with a special shampoo and I get to rinse my hair under the tub faucet. That's awesome! (E really does say that).

*I am 15 lbs. and 28 inches long.
*I am thrilled to be mobile, crawling around the whole house. I always keep mom guessing as to where I'll be next.
*I really want to walk around and I can now pull myself up on everything. I can even climb up onto things like the stairs, E's stool, and the dishwasher. Boy, I really got a good gasp out of mommy when she saw me on the dishwasher door with my hands and face inside the dishwasher.


(As a sidenote, look at W compared to the size of a dinner plate. He's too tiny to be mobile!)


*When I pull up onto things, I show off by letting go with one hand and stomping my foot up and down.
*I love to bounce and get tickled...and when I do I squeal really loud.
*If I'm placed in a bouncy seat or swing, I can easily squirm my way out. Mommy's always strapping me down.
*I can play soccer with any toy using my hands to roll it along. I'll crawl, hit the toy forward, and continue my crawl to go hit it again. I've crossed the room several times playing this fun game.
*I like to talk and I can now use consonant sounds like dada.
*I want to eat every time I see someone eating and I like to whine about it. I finally got the hang of eating Cheerios. It took me awhile not to gag. I can also pick them up and eat them!
*It's extremely rare that I cry. If I'm upset, hurt, or hungry I just whine or shout at mommy.
*I'm a secret spitter-upper. I'm able to spit up at any point in the day and I'm super quiet about it. If I don't have it dripping down my chin, Mommy may not know what happened until she steps in it on the carpet or hugs me and it's then smeared on her clothes. I can also make great designs in my clothes from spitting up and then rolling or crawling through it.
*I'm a hit wherever I go. Everyone thinks I'm beautiful. They like to see my smile, all my hair, and my ever so long eyelashes. They're always watching me and wanting to hold me.


*I'm 21 lbs. and 27 1/2 inches long.
*I wear 12 month clothes.
*I have 2 teeth to chew on everything, well, actually I did that before I got teeth.
*I can lift my chest off the ground, roll over, and touch my toes. I can also turn myself around in a circle while on my tummy.
* If I'm on my back and I want someone to pick me up, I plant my feet and just lift my bum off the ground. Give a few grunts and I'm good to go.

*I'm a fantastic eater. Mommy tried to give me solid food, but that didn't go over to well. She may try again in a few weeks.
*I usually belch like a grown man, but sometimes mommy or daddy have a hard time getting a burp out and I end up spitting up later like when I get picked up again or playing in my bouncy seat. Sometimes... I just spit up. Last week, I think I slimed mommy every time she picked me up. I guess that's why she doesn't get dressed up a lot. If I don't spit up, you can guarantee I'll be drooling.
*I have the greatest chuckle laugh and it's seriously contagious.
*I'm pretty laid back. I don't even mind if my brother crawls all over me, grabs at my face, sucks my hand...he loves me. I like to be near him, watch him, and sometimes mimic him. Mom loves it when I join W in a loud whine.
*I used to just grunt with a deep voice, but lately I've been trying out a higher squeal.
*I can reach for toys and have a tug of war with W. He's fast, but I'm stronger.
*I love the bath. I get mom really wet when I start kicking.
*I'm also a big hit wherever I go because I'm so big and chunky. They also love my fuzzy head and bright blue eyes. Oh, and the ladies just love my dimple. So if I'm not too tired, I'll show it off.