18 Month Well Check

Yesterday afternoon I took Elliot to the pedi for his 18 month well check.  We rushed to get there for his 2:30 appointment and I prepared for the worst since that's normally around nap time and we typically have to wait FOREVER in the waiting room. Luckily he had napped from 9:30-1:00 so he was in good spirits.  He busied himself in the waiting room by eating some snacks and watching a little Puss in Boots:

He also had fun running out to the reception area and flirting with the girls at the front desk.  My little ladies man.

We waited our typical 30 mins in the waiting room before being called back.   On the way there we stopped at the scale to get his height and weight.  He clocked in at 22 lbs 4 oz and 30.5".  I assume his weight was helped by the fact that he chowed down at Andrea's and she said he was eating everything in sight.

We were led back to the exam room and the nurse did her usual stuff with checking his temp, O2 sats and measuring his head.  After that we waited for Dr. Graham and Elliot entertained himself by rummaging through the drawers and pushing stuff around the room:

Thankfully it didn't take too long for Dr. Graham to come in.  He had Elliot's growth charts and he made a revision. He said that nurse appears to have a technique for measuring height that needs some work because according to it Elliot had shrunk in the last three months. He amended the measurement to 31.5", so here are his stats at 18 months:

Weight:  22lbs 4oz - 23rd percentile
Height:  31.5" - 50th percentile
Head: 18.75" - 57th percentile

For comparison purposes, Andrew was the same height (which somehow put him at 27%?) and 25lbs 15oz.  Elliot is definitely my little guy.  Dr. Graham pointed out that Elliot has never been an overachiever when it comes to gaining weight,  but he has been consistent on his curve so he looks great.  He told me we don't need to worry about him being a jockey when he grows up and he assures me that Elliot is doing fine with growing.

We talked about his vocabulary (Dr. Graham said the number of words he has is great), his appetite (he assured me that his pickyness on any given day is very typical at this age) and his personality.  He was very impressed that Elliot was making such great eye contact with him and was really observing what was going on.  I sat him up on the table and he patiently let Dr. Graham listen to his heart and lungs and look in his ears (that are all clear). He passed the 18 month screening based on the questionnaire I filled out.  We talked some more before he left for his next patient and before he left he told me that Elliot looks perfect - something I already knew  ;)

A couple minutes later the nurse came in to do the dirty work with the shots. He only needed to get one this time, for DTaP, so we laid him up on the table. He was completely calm throughout the whole thing and didn't even make a peep when he got the shot.  My little rock star.  We finished up, I scheduled Andrew's four year well check on the way out (how will he be four next month?!?) and we headed home.  All in all it was a perfect well check and it's good to know that we don't need to be concerned about our little guy. He's small but perfect  :)

Elliot is 18 Months!

It seems unbelievable.  My little love has been here for a year and a half already.  18 months since life got turned upside down and this sweet guy taught me that the heart has an immeasurable capacity to love:

Size: He's little, there's no denying that.  A couple weeks ago he was only 21 lbs 6 oz and that was with clothes and shoes.   His 18 month well check is on Thursday afternoon, so I'll get the report on just how little my little guy is.

Wearing: He's still fitting in size 3 diapers just fine. I"m ok with it since that means we're getting more diapers for the money.  12 month pants are finally getting a little short on him. Of course the 18 month ones fall of of him. He's still wearing his 12 month footie pajamas, which is convenient since I can't find any 18 month fleece ones in the boxes of clothes I have left from Andrew.  He is still fitting in most 12 month onesies.  My little dude.

Milestones:  Running around like a crazy person, climbing up and down the stairs, saying "water", "ball", "yuck", "sock", "bye bye", "milk", and "see" and playing much more purposefully with toys.

Eating: He's still nursing first thing in the morning and before bed.  I finally gave up pumping since he no longer would take a bottle anyway.  We have successfully transitioned to WCM from the almond milk. He goes back next month for another allergy check, but I'm hopeful that it will show that he's grown out of the milk protein allergy. He's been eating string cheese for a while now with no issues and loves greek yogurt.  He's able to eat peanut butter, but if he rubs it on his face he still breaks out in hives.  That will be re-tested, too.  For the most part he loves meat and seems to like a little bit of spice.  I made  some chicken in the slow cooker (two chicken breasts, a can of black beans, a jar of salsa and some red pepper flakes) and he devoured it.  I still worry that he doesn't eat nearly enough and I'll be talking to his pedi on Thursday.

Sleep: On weeknights he is generally in bed by 8:30 and up by 7:00.   On weekends I still try to get him into bed by 8:30 and sometimes he'll sleep until 8:00 or so.  He's normally up and playing in the crib on Saturday mornings when Jonathan gets up to go ride.  He'll take the monitor so I can get a little more sleep and if Elliot doesn't settle down before he leaves he'll bring him to me.  This past Saturday he fell back to sleep and didn't get up until 10:30. Fairly certain that's a record.  On weekdays he is normally taking two naps still since he's up earlier.  On weekends it varies. This past weekend he only took one nap a day, but he was a bear by bedtime.

Personality: He's crazy.  He's rambunctious. He's stubborn and spunky. He's into everything and is a mischievous little bugger.   This kid is going to be a handful, I can already see it.

Loves: His lovey seen here:

and his big brother.  He ADORES Andrew and wants to do whatever Andrew is doing.  Last night Andrew kept saying "Watch this trick!" and was rolling across the floor.  Elliot tried his damndest to do the same thing. I wish I had gotten a video of it because it was the cutest and sweetest thing ever.  Andrew started dancing and Elliot started laughing and doing the same thing.  Adorable.

Always trying to do what Andrew is doing.

Hates: Getting his diaper changed.  He can be happy and laughing, but as soon as we lay him down to change him he flips out.  Epic tantrums. He also hates being stopped from getting into things, which happens a LOT.

To think that tomorrow this little dude will be closer to two than one is crazy.  I love him more than life and can't believe how fast it's going.  No matter how big he gets, though, he'll always be my little smoosh.

My Funny Valentines

Valentine's Day.

When I was single Valentine's Day was always full of pressure - the need to have a date, the need to not be alone.

Once in a relationship Valentine's Day was full of pressure to do something romantic. To do something special.

Now as the parents to two kids Valentine's Day is a little different.  I still want to show Jonathan how much I love him, but the grand romantic gestures have been replaced for the time being with things a little more kid friendly.

Saturday morning Jonathan got up and went riding, which was perfect since it gave me some time.  I had ordered some chocolate covered strawberries from Edible Arrangements since I could pick them up and forgo the delivery fee. (Shari's Berries wanted to charge almost $25 for Valentine's Day delivery - ridiculous).  When I came downstairs I saw these on the counter with a note from Jonathan and the boys:

Once the boys had eaten breakfast I got them dressed and in the car and we went to go get the berries.  I ran in and grabbed them and then asked Andrew if he thought his daddy would like some balloons.  Of course he said "Yes!".

We headed to the party store to see if we could find a fun Valentine's balloon.  They had some pre-made balloon arrangements so we looked those over - the whole time Elliot was pointing at them yelling "Ball! Ball!".  Andrew finally decided on one so I paid for it and we headed to the car with Andrew holding onto the balloons.  The entire ride home Elliot was shouting for the balloons and Andrew kept talking about them.

I expected Jonathan to be a little later getting home since they normally ride a lot longer, but he was home a little after 11:00. When I heard him I tried to get Andrew to carry the balloons out to him, but he was pouting so I had Elliot do it instead:

He didn't exactly take them to Jonathan, but he did show them to him.  He didn't want to give them up, though, and spent a lot of the afternoon carrying them around the house:



He loves the balloons.  Loves them.  He seeks them out as soon as he wakes up from a nap and his face lights up once he spots them. It is seriously the cutest and funniest thing.

We didn't make any plans to go out since we didn't have a sitter and I know that Valentine's Day is crazy at restaurants (plus I wasn't feeling well), so we grilled some steaks and had a nice dinner at home.    So while it wasn't a Valentine's Day filled with grand gestures and over the top gifts, it was perfect and just what I wanted - spending the day with the three most important guys in my life.  My sweet and funny valentines.

Another Stitch Fix

Previously I said I was cancelling my Stitch Fix, but I didn't. I did lessen the frequency to every other month because I think it's getting too expensive, though.

Yesterday when I got home I had the familiar box sitting on my doorstep. I'd forgotten that it was supposed to be delivered (I get the email tracking), so it was a pleasant surprise on a day that I felt like crap.  I eagerly tore into the box to see what goodies awaited me and I have to say I was pretty disappointed with this one.  This fix included two tops, a cardigan, a dress and a pendant.  Here is what I got:

Lydia Floral Print Key-Hole Blouse - $68

This top is completely shapeless and definitely NOT worth almost $70. It is going back.


Next was this Milan Lace Print Back Pleat Top - $58

I kind of like this top, but again it is completely shapeless and not all that flattering. For almost $60 I can find something that flatters my figure more so this is going back as well.

Next was this Alan French Terry Asymmetrical Zip Cardigan - $68

The material of this cardigan is nice and soft and is almost like a stretchy sweatshirt.  I think it looks kind of cool when it is zipped up and that at least makes it so it's not so shapeless, but again, for almost $70 I think I can do better.  This is going back, too.

The last clothing item is this Dita Sleeveless Ponte Dress - $68

I like the color of it, especially since I wear so much black, but I don't think it's all that flattering on me. I could wear it for work, but I don't know how often it would make it out of my closet.  For almost $70 it isn't a keeper for me, so it's going back.

Last up is this Joyce Sunburst Pendant Necklace - $28

It's a nice long necklace, which is something I don't currently own, and since if I don't keep anything I lose the $20 styling fee I am going to keep this.

To say this fix was disappointing is an understatement.  I know a week or so ago I got an email asking if I had any input for my stylist and it's my fault for not saying anything, but I figured the feedback I'd given on previous fixes about not liking shapeless clothing would have been heard. I also know on my profile I put that I prefer more fitted items.  Because I have a large chest if I wear loose shirts they hang on me and make me look much bigger than I am.

I also feel like the prices on a lot of the items are way too high for what they are. There is no way in hell I would pay $68 for a top like that first one.  I could find something like that at Marshall's for under $30.

I'm on the fence right know about if I am going to continue with this service. It's fun to get a box of clothes sent to me, but when they keep sending me unflattering and overpriced items it's a lot less fun.  My next fix won't be until April, so I have a little time to decide.  Maybe I'll get lucky and actually want to keep something next time...

First Trip to the Dentist

Last week I finally called and made an appointment for Andrew to go to the dentist. Yes, he will be four next month and he hasn't been there yet.  We didn't add him to dental insurance previously because the increase of premiums would've cost more than paying for a cleaning with cash. I had meant to take him to the dentist last year for a cleaning, but it never happened.

Anyway, when I called to make an appointment for him they didn't have anything until April, but they said they'd let us know if anything opened up.  Wednesday afternoon I got a phone call about an appointment for the following day at 2:40.  I took it, even though I was worried about there not being time to prepare him for the impending visit.

Wednesday afternoon when I picked him up from school I started talking to him about the appointment the next day.  Of course his first response was "I don't want to go to the dentist!".  I kept talking to him and was trying to talk up the visit. I told him all about the fun chair he was going to get to sit in and the cool instruments he would get to see.  I also promised that if he was a good boy during his appointment we could go to Trader Joe's afterward and pick out a treat.

Yesterday morning while he was eating breakfast I told him again that he was going to the dentist and his response was "Yay!  Can we go now?".  I was happy that he was excited, but figured he would definitely change his tune when we were actually on the way there.

I dropped him off at school and let his teacher know that I would be picking him up at 2:15, which I know is during nap time. She said she'd make sure he was up.  I got there at 2:15 and peeked in the room. It was still dark, but Chelsea saw me and went to get Andrew.  He was obviously just waking up when he walked out.  She said she'd woken him up, but when she turned her back to check on something he laid back down on his cot and went back to sleep.  He was groggy, but we headed to the car and went to the dentist.

On the way in there was a little kitty sitting on the sidewalk. He wanted to stay and play with it, but I said we needed to go in:

He wasn't happy about that.

Once we got checked in we sat in the waiting room reading some books:

After about a 15 minute wait (and a trip to their bathroom) he got called back to be seen.

I was so proud when he climbed right up into her chair.  She went about showing him all of the different tools she would use, from the toothbrush to the mirror to the little suction thing that she called Mr. Thirsty.

She gave him some sunglasses to wear so he wouldn't have to look into the bright light and then she leaned him back in the chair, which he loved.  She went to work counting his teeth and narrated everything that she was doing as she did it.

When it came time to brush his teeth she gave him his choice of toothpaste (he chose bubblegum) and she started brushing his teeth:

She let him hold Mr. Thirsty and he was in charge of suctioning out his mouth:

Once she was done she flossed his teeth and then sat him up to wait for the dentist to come in and finish up.  I kept telling him how great he was doing and the hygienist agreed that he was a model patient.  Pretty soon Dr. Bottone came in and finished up the exam, telling us that his teeth looked great and were nice and strong.  The hygienist told me that they generally don't do x-rays until the kid is five or six so their mouths are big enough.  We scheduled his next appointment for August 11th and then he got to go choose his prize from their treasure chest (he chose a little football).

Once we were done we headed across the parking lot to Trader Joe's so he could pick out a treat and get some dinner.  We got some nice and cheesy mac n' cheese and he wanted some frozen chocolate covered bananas.  I had no trouble obliging since he had done such an awesome job throughout his appointment.  I had been so ready for him to completely melt down and cause a scene.  Sometimes that kid can really surprise me.

I Knew He Was Small, But...

Elliot is my little guy. I always call him that because he's my "baby".  And compared to Andrew he is little.

When they were born they were very close in size.  Andrew was 7 lbs 5 oz and almost 21". Elliot was 7 lbs 8 oz and 20". I called him my little pudge because he was - he was a little stockier than Andrew and was cute and squishy.

After every well check I've gone home and compared his stats to where Andrew was at that age.  At each one the difference in their sizes has gotten greater and greater.  Supposedly they have been close to the same height (I don't buy it), but as time has gone on the difference in their weight has become more pronounced.  At one year Elliot was 20.6 lbs (Andrew was 22.5 lbs). At his 15 month well check Elliot was 21 lbs even (Andrew was 23.62 lbs).So in that three month span Elliot gained less than 8 oz while Andrew gained over a pound.

Elliot hit 17 months a week and a half ago.  Yesterday I needed to take him to the doctor for a suspected sinus and/or ear infection (he has an ear infection) so of course they weighed him.  With clothes and shoes on he was 21 lbs 6 oz.  So in over two months he's gained, at most, 6 oz (I can't remember if he had on clothes and shoes when he was weighed at 15 months).  At 18 months Andrew was 25 lbs 15 oz.  Looking back at pictures I guess he was a little chunkier:

Andrew definitely had more of a belly than Elliot does, but he was by no means chubby. He never had much in the way of rolls, even as a little baby.  Elliot definitely doesn't have any rolls.  Those overalls he is wearing are 18 month size and I have the straps shortened as much as they will go.  They were still a little long on him.  Honestly he still fits in 12 month footie pajamas.  Some 12 month pants are getting too short on him, but the 18 month ones fall off.  He's wearing 12-18 month jeans today that are close to fitting, but are very loose around the waist.

We have his 18 month well check three weeks from tomorrow.  I'm curious to see what Dr. Graham has to say about his dropping weight percentile (yesterday has him in the 17th).  I try to get him to eat, but it's hard. He'll eat two bites of something and then throw the rest.  I did get him to eat some greek yogurt yesterday (with no hives) so maybe I'll be able to bulk him up a little with that.  He doesn't look emaciated or malnourished, but I worry about him just the same.

So yeah, all that to say he's my little guy, but I didn't realize just how little.