Nine Months

Annelee had her nine month check-up yesterday.

Let's start with the vitals, as usual.  She's in 90-95th percentile for both height and weight:

• Height:  29.5"  (75cm).  Vivian had her beat (just) with 30"

• Weights:  21 lb 12oz (9.87 kg).  Vivian continued to be a lightweight by comparison:  19 lb 11 oz.  At least the gap hasn't widened from the 6 month check-up.  In fact, it has shrunk  :)

As usual, the pediatrician was overall very happy with Annelee.  She asked if Annelee already recognized any words, but immediately added that it would be very early.  The only one I could think of was "Vivian".  So I turned toward the wall with her and asked her where Vivian was.  She turned around to try and look at her.  Imagine the beaming proud Mama I was to have one of my girls perform on command for once in my life ;)

I later thought of another word she recognizes:  "fishies "(I guess I should teach her "fish" one day).  Every time we change her diaper, I ask her where the fishies are (the mobile over the changing table).  She looks directly at them.  Then, when the diaper is changed, I pick her up and we look at each fish and the shape of his mouth (they are different) and make the sound they would make if they could speak.  I used to do the same with Vivian and both girls love it.

Anyways, the pediatrician was pleased with her eating (in addition to all sorts of jars of baby food, Annelee has eaten mashed potatoes, pasta and sauce, blueberry pancakes, bagel, bananas, avocado, soup, cheerioes, grits, and probably a whole other host of things I forget).  She recommended adding meat for iron.  So, that evening Annelee had BBQ chicken and corn mixed with one of her jars.  To round it off, she had applesauce and a taste of Daddy's home-made mango sorbet.  That little baby of ours is such a gourmet!

Her grasping at things and pince grip as well as sitting up were all on target, too.

Then came the (not so) fun part.  Because of her recent throwing up and stomach pains, they wanted a urine sample.  Which they do with babies by taping a bag over their "girly bits" and waiting until they pee.  And wait we did ... but she finally performed and all looked good.

We then went for a blood draw (finger prick) that afternoon (which they always do at 9 months) which Annelee did not appreciate.  When we were leaving, someone in the waiting room asked "What were you doing to that baby?".  Ooops.  They may have to sound proof their office next time.  :)

Next appointment after her 1st birthday.

Annelee's Six Month Check-Up

Vivian and I took Annelee in for her six month check-up on Monday.  As usual, here are the vital stats first:

Height: 28in (71cm)
Weight: 19lb 5oz (8.75kg)

For comparison, Vivian at six months was exactly the same height, but weighed in at only 16lb 3oz.  In fact, even at her 9 month visit, she didn't weigh much more than Annelee does now.  It's all in the cheeks and legs with Annelee.  Certainly not the head (circumference, at least, good thing that head size is not an indicator of intelligence!), because that's actually smaller than Vivian's was at the same time.

The day before the well-visit, Annelee finally decided to roll from her belly to her back.  Several times even.  I was excited to be able to answer a question about her "rollability" with yes, but the pediatrician never inquired  :(

Everything else looked fine, too, the pediatrician was pleased that we had already started solids and that Annelee liked her food.  We talked a little bit about the sleeping arrangements and who falls asleep where and spends the night where ... we'll be experimenting with that a bit.  See if we can't figure something out where we can leave Annelee to "chat" for a bit during the night without Vivian ending up overtired and sleep-deprived.

Then, Annelee got her vaccinations (four shots and one oral one - OUCH!) and she was NOT HAPPY!!!!  Even before the nurse got started actually.  Luckily, she did calm down pretty quick again afterwards, and Vivian wasn't too phased by it, either.  She ran a bit of a fever the next day, but even that's already gone again and she's back to being her happy self.

3 Years & 4 Months

The girls had a double-appointment at the pediatricians today.  Vivian's 3 year appointment and Annelee's 4 month appointment.

Vivian had not grown since her 2.5 year appointment according to their measurements (still 42" or 106.5 cm), but had gained some weight (38lb, up from 34lb).  Her height/weight ratio is perfect according to the pediatrician.  I like that woman, she uses the terms "perfect" and "wonderful" a lot when it comes to our children  :)

She is still impressed by how verbal Vivian is and how well she enunciates things (for her age at least), and kept stressing how important it is for children her age to drink milk with their meals (which Vivian does).  I think that's definitely the pediatrician's hot-button topic.  If your child drinks milk, all is well with her world.  LOL.

Annelee had gained a ton of weight (I knew that, just not how much).  She is now 26" (66cm) tall (just a half inch shy of Vivian at the same age) and weighs a whopping 16lb 5oz (7.4kg) which is a full two pounds more than Vivian at that same age.  Can we say lots of delicious baby chubbiness?  :)

Both got their shots.  One for Vivian, three and an oral vaccination for Annelee.  Where Vivian managed not to cry, Annelee more than made up for it ... she was outraged!!!  But luckily, she calmed down as soon as it was over, she even managed to smile at the nurse at that point.

While Annelee got her shots and we were all distracted, Vivian managed to put good use to the extra band aids the nurse had given her ... she stuck them over her nipples.  And on the way out, she asked me "Can I drive?"  That girl cracks me up!

Vivian doesn't need to go back until she's 4, Annelee has to go back in 2 months.  Let's hope her weight gain slows down a bit by then, otherwise she soon won't fit into any of Vivian's old clothes ...

2.5 Year Check-Up

Ok, so how did this girl manage to turn 2.5 years old already? Wow!

The stats first: 34lb (no wonder she's getting too heavy to carry) and 42in (again, no wonder the bathing suit I bought the other day that was for 36 months was too small).

According to a chart I just found, this put her at the 92nd percentile for weight and way way way off the chart for height. In fact, so much way off that I think I will re-measure her height tomorrow just to check. She's not REALLY as tall as the average 5 year old.

She's doing extremely fine. The doctor came in and immediately got an ear full of information from Vivian ("I have a bug in my belly" (no idea where that came from). "I peed in the potty." "I have a bu-bu on my knee." "There's my name" (spotting a "v" on my travel mug)) ... I feel I didn't even need to be there to provide information.

She did very well with the ear check etc (much better than previously) and even wanted to sit on the exam table rather than my lap. Everything looks good. The pediatrician is impressed that she's in daycare but has only been in twice in the last 6 months. Let's hope she keeps that up.

Based on Vivian's potty-"training" success so far (I can't really call it training), the pediatrician also thinks we should just bite the bullet and start having her wear only "big girl underwear" all the time, so I went out and bought a few more cheap clothes so we can handle the accidents. Project "no diaper" should commence soon.

Vivian needed one vaccination and I managed to get her all excited about getting a band-aid, although I did also explain it would involve an injection first. She was a total champ ... whined a bit, but didn't even cry. She did cry when I pulled off the band-aid tonight. Can't win 'em all, I guess.

All in all a good visit and let's hope Vivian doesn't need to go back for anything until she's 3! And that she doesn't outgrow her summer clothes before summer is over! ;)