The next couple of posts are a bit outdated, but I really want them on the blog to look back on.
Our 2 year doctor visit went as smooth as usual. Here are his stats:
Weight: 31 pounds (82%)
Height: 35 inches (66%)
Head: 19 3/4 (85%)
I measured him again when we got home because he was all over the place when the nurse tried to do it. But sure enough, she was right on; I guess she is used to hitting moving targets. So, Dr. said that meant that he would be right around 5'10'' to 6'. Not that this was surprising, but think it is fun. :)
He is not quite ready for 2T stuff yet. In fact, I bought all of his new shorts and short sleeved shirts in 2T. I am HOPING he will fit in them by the end of the summer. 18 month stuff is a bit small, but especially with no diapers, that is what we are buying. However, I do think it is right around the corner and I think we are going to change sizes during the same season. Which is fine, except on the wallet!
Dr. said we could start in with the 2% milk. I asked why and he said to switch if we were worried about his fat intake! WHAT?!?! I am trying to fatten that monkey up! We will be sticking with the whole milk for now (My big brother STILL drinks it and he is skinny as a rail, I think we are good!)
He also said that we should start using fluoride toothpaste, just no whitening. I asked when we should take him to the dentist and he said that unless we see any problems, not to go before the age of 3. He looks as if he is going to have a bit of an overbite, but I am sure that is due to the thumb sucking. I think we will wait on the dentist, especially if it is anything like sitting in a chair at the hair cut place - I would rather wait until he is older than traumatize him forever.
Dr. also said to start potty training (if you will remember, he told me to start this at 18 months too!). At the time I had no intentions of starting until it was nice and warm outside. Well, fast forward a few weeks and read the previous posts for that update.
Showing posts with label development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label development. Show all posts
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
My potty champion!
At the ripe old age of 25 months, John is WELL on his way to being potty trained. Had I written this post 2 weeks ago, I would have called him 100% potty trained, but as most first time parents do, I would have been jumping the gun a bit.
The week after his 2nd birthday, John told me "no more dap daps... so for the rest of the evening we went with no diapers. I told him he had to tell Mama when he needed to pee pee....sure enough.... he did! So, the next day I thought I would play with it a bit. He had a couple of pee accidents the first day, but basically for 2 weeks, he was accident free (yes, including poo). SO PROUD of him!
The first time we went out to dinner, I went ahead and put a diaper on him, but he told me during dinner that he had to go and we went to the potty, he was dry! So, after that - no more diapers at all during the day.
We were either bare bottomed or in underwear, we chose not to use pull ups at all. It seemed to work for us, but every child and situation is different. We started doing a "pee pee dance" after he used the potty, he REALLY liked that. He then got to flush the big potty and wash his hands. All of this was fun, fun, fun!
Now, all of a sudden, the fun is gone and he does not want to stop what he is doing to go to the bathroom. He starts to hold himself, so I can tell. He knows when it is coming too, because he will go behind the couch or something. He will let out just a bit, almost to relieve the urge. When I realize the accident has happened, we go sit on the potty and he goes A LOT! So I know he is controlling the off switch. :)
He never fights us when he is ON the potty, but sometimes we have to trick him into the bathroom all together.
After worrying about how to handle the accidents, how to make it HIS responsibility, etc. etc., and after reading many articles and books, I have come to the remember that he is still a baby and he needs to us to remind him and take him to the bathroom. Sometimes I forget that John is only 2, he seems like such a little boy in so many ways, but in the end, he still needs us to remind him to brush his teeth, eat lunch, pick up his toys, take naps, and a lot of other every day tasks, why should reminding him/taking him to the bathroom not be on this list too. I suppose it could take several months and even a year, but I am ready and willing!
If there is anyone else out there reading this that has any suggestions or advice, I am ALWAYS open to hearing it. In my 2 years of parenting, the most successful thing for me is to take advice and information from several different (almost always conflicting) sources and pick the pieces that work best for my little family of 3!
PS - I am OBSESSED with buying him underwear. I am not kidding, he probably has 30 pair right now. My favorites are the little boxer briefs from Gymboree! hehehehe!
The week after his 2nd birthday, John told me "no more dap daps... so for the rest of the evening we went with no diapers. I told him he had to tell Mama when he needed to pee pee....sure enough.... he did! So, the next day I thought I would play with it a bit. He had a couple of pee accidents the first day, but basically for 2 weeks, he was accident free (yes, including poo). SO PROUD of him!
The first time we went out to dinner, I went ahead and put a diaper on him, but he told me during dinner that he had to go and we went to the potty, he was dry! So, after that - no more diapers at all during the day.
We were either bare bottomed or in underwear, we chose not to use pull ups at all. It seemed to work for us, but every child and situation is different. We started doing a "pee pee dance" after he used the potty, he REALLY liked that. He then got to flush the big potty and wash his hands. All of this was fun, fun, fun!
Now, all of a sudden, the fun is gone and he does not want to stop what he is doing to go to the bathroom. He starts to hold himself, so I can tell. He knows when it is coming too, because he will go behind the couch or something. He will let out just a bit, almost to relieve the urge. When I realize the accident has happened, we go sit on the potty and he goes A LOT! So I know he is controlling the off switch. :)
He never fights us when he is ON the potty, but sometimes we have to trick him into the bathroom all together.
After worrying about how to handle the accidents, how to make it HIS responsibility, etc. etc., and after reading many articles and books, I have come to the remember that he is still a baby and he needs to us to remind him and take him to the bathroom. Sometimes I forget that John is only 2, he seems like such a little boy in so many ways, but in the end, he still needs us to remind him to brush his teeth, eat lunch, pick up his toys, take naps, and a lot of other every day tasks, why should reminding him/taking him to the bathroom not be on this list too. I suppose it could take several months and even a year, but I am ready and willing!
If there is anyone else out there reading this that has any suggestions or advice, I am ALWAYS open to hearing it. In my 2 years of parenting, the most successful thing for me is to take advice and information from several different (almost always conflicting) sources and pick the pieces that work best for my little family of 3!
PS - I am OBSESSED with buying him underwear. I am not kidding, he probably has 30 pair right now. My favorites are the little boxer briefs from Gymboree! hehehehe!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Happy 2nd Birthday Week: Language
In my mind the first year of life was all about survival and physical development. Obviously there is overlap, but the 2nd year has been more about language and personality development. Language development is such a big part of our lives right now. There for a while I was worried that John was not talking as much as he should be (silly Mama!), but then....he turned it on full force.
Just the other day he counted to twelve (replacing 11 with 7) which blew me away! I knew he could say the numbers and sometimes could put a few in a row, but had no idea he could go all the way to twelve. He starts the alphabet, but stops with D, unless you pause while singing it, he will fill in the blank wherever you are.
One of my favorite parts of the day is when I go get him from nap or night time because he is so talkative and says the most random things. I just sit and listen to him tell me a 5 minute story. I love it.
He can communicate pretty much anything he needs to tell us and it makes life so much less frustrating for us all.
His most common quotes:
"I did it"
"Mama do it"
"Daddy fix it"
"Get Kallie/Bailee tail"
"Mines"
"Chocolate milk"
"Play Diego"
"Watch Dido train"
"tickle, tickle, tickle"
"wipe my boogers"
"Daddy go work"
"I wanna draw"
"Play monkeys"
"Nana and Da coming?"
"Hawaiian Rainbow"
"ABC"
"get me, hold me"
"Mama/Daddy sit down"
"pease" (please)
"Thank you"
"feed dogs"
"stinky poopy"
"change my dap dap"
There are countless phrases, but these are the ones that I hear at least once a day.
Just the other day he counted to twelve (replacing 11 with 7) which blew me away! I knew he could say the numbers and sometimes could put a few in a row, but had no idea he could go all the way to twelve. He starts the alphabet, but stops with D, unless you pause while singing it, he will fill in the blank wherever you are.
One of my favorite parts of the day is when I go get him from nap or night time because he is so talkative and says the most random things. I just sit and listen to him tell me a 5 minute story. I love it.
He can communicate pretty much anything he needs to tell us and it makes life so much less frustrating for us all.
His most common quotes:
"I did it"
"Mama do it"
"Daddy fix it"
"Get Kallie/Bailee tail"
"Mines"
"Chocolate milk"
"Play Diego"
"Watch Dido train"
"tickle, tickle, tickle"
"wipe my boogers"
"Daddy go work"
"I wanna draw"
"Play monkeys"
"Nana and Da coming?"
"Hawaiian Rainbow"
"ABC"
"get me, hold me"
"Mama/Daddy sit down"
"pease" (please)
"Thank you"
"feed dogs"
"stinky poopy"
"change my dap dap"
There are countless phrases, but these are the ones that I hear at least once a day.
Monday, January 25, 2010
23 months
A few things from this last month:
- My favorite age! He is so much fun and makes us laugh!
- In the last 2 weeks, I have seen a lot of change in his physical appearance. And that says a lot considering I see him every day. He looks more and more like a little boy in the face, he is taller and thinner (looks like a starved orphan when he wakes up in the morning), his hair is getting thicker, etc. (just crossed my mind that I should probably make sure his shoes still fit and that I am not cramming them in to a size too small, eek!)
- Although his language gets better and better every minute, there are a couple words he keeps in his language; "doot" = do it, "op" = open, "bay and Kayee" = Bailee and Kallie, "cap cks" = pancakes, "asslepas" = apple sauce, "bikacycle" = bicycle.
- Said his name for the first time
- Favorite things: Backyardigans, dinosaurs, animals, Diego, the park.
- Favorite word: mine
- Jumped from a standing position for the first time(both feet off the ground at the same time). This is a big physical development.
- He says 'sorry', 'thank you', 'please', and 'bless you'; although not always at the appropriate time and not without a little reminder from me sometimes. But nonetheless is super cute and melts my heart every time.
- Nothing really new with food or sleeping, he goes in phases with both.
- He is 'reading' books much more now. He has a great memory! But still loves to sit and have someone read the same book over and over and over and over....
- Two phrases we are trying to break "go away" and "get out", both of which come from Carl and I talking to the dogs... oops....
- My favorite age! He is so much fun and makes us laugh!
- In the last 2 weeks, I have seen a lot of change in his physical appearance. And that says a lot considering I see him every day. He looks more and more like a little boy in the face, he is taller and thinner (looks like a starved orphan when he wakes up in the morning), his hair is getting thicker, etc. (just crossed my mind that I should probably make sure his shoes still fit and that I am not cramming them in to a size too small, eek!)
- Although his language gets better and better every minute, there are a couple words he keeps in his language; "doot" = do it, "op" = open, "bay and Kayee" = Bailee and Kallie, "cap cks" = pancakes, "asslepas" = apple sauce, "bikacycle" = bicycle.
- Said his name for the first time
- Favorite things: Backyardigans, dinosaurs, animals, Diego, the park.
- Favorite word: mine
- Jumped from a standing position for the first time(both feet off the ground at the same time). This is a big physical development.
- He says 'sorry', 'thank you', 'please', and 'bless you'; although not always at the appropriate time and not without a little reminder from me sometimes. But nonetheless is super cute and melts my heart every time.
- Nothing really new with food or sleeping, he goes in phases with both.
- He is 'reading' books much more now. He has a great memory! But still loves to sit and have someone read the same book over and over and over and over....
- Two phrases we are trying to break "go away" and "get out", both of which come from Carl and I talking to the dogs... oops....
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Everyday Struggles
Although John is as close to perfect as they come and I cherish every day I get to spend with him - we are going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment. No one ever told me that it was not all peaches and cream!?!?!?
As discussed in the last post, we have toying with one nap. I half hearted say that it is going okay. The napping (or lack there of) has caused a ripple effect on other things. He seems to be very moody, he is not eating well and he has become extra clingy. I assume all of this is due to his change in schedule, but I am not sure. I suppose it could be teething as well.
For the last week or so we have been down to 1 nap, but only about an hour and a half, which is not near enough. We struggle in the evenings, but as long as one or both of us are giving him our undivided attention (I mean it, don't even think about looking somewhere other than his direction) he is okay.
I suppose I could also attribute the disinterest in eating to mother nature. I read that around 1 year there is a significant drop in appetite; otherwise if they continued on the same eating habits, they would resemble a small blimp. I would love to fatten John up a bit, I think he is a little skinny.
The clingy thing - well that is just the most pitiful sight you have ever seen and I truly can not resist picking him up. He waddles up to my leg with his thumb in his mouth, pouty face and all, and then throws his hands in the air for me to pick him up. Dishes? who needs clean dishes? There is a pitiful baby that needs my attention.
This all leaves me to wonder if I started the 1 nap thing too early, but at the same time I am hesitant to go back at this point because we have already pushed through 1 week and we could turn a corner any day now (at least that is what I keep telling myself). I supposed this is not going to be the last time I question my parenting decisions?!?!
As discussed in the last post, we have toying with one nap. I half hearted say that it is going okay. The napping (or lack there of) has caused a ripple effect on other things. He seems to be very moody, he is not eating well and he has become extra clingy. I assume all of this is due to his change in schedule, but I am not sure. I suppose it could be teething as well.
For the last week or so we have been down to 1 nap, but only about an hour and a half, which is not near enough. We struggle in the evenings, but as long as one or both of us are giving him our undivided attention (I mean it, don't even think about looking somewhere other than his direction) he is okay.
I suppose I could also attribute the disinterest in eating to mother nature. I read that around 1 year there is a significant drop in appetite; otherwise if they continued on the same eating habits, they would resemble a small blimp. I would love to fatten John up a bit, I think he is a little skinny.
The clingy thing - well that is just the most pitiful sight you have ever seen and I truly can not resist picking him up. He waddles up to my leg with his thumb in his mouth, pouty face and all, and then throws his hands in the air for me to pick him up. Dishes? who needs clean dishes? There is a pitiful baby that needs my attention.
This all leaves me to wonder if I started the 1 nap thing too early, but at the same time I am hesitant to go back at this point because we have already pushed through 1 week and we could turn a corner any day now (at least that is what I keep telling myself). I supposed this is not going to be the last time I question my parenting decisions?!?!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Smarter than we think
I believe babies are smarter than what we give them credit for sometimes. After reading Lisa's post of the "where is your..." game, I tried it with John and I was surprised.
We started with 'dog', 'cup', 'ball', 'hat' and 'pete' (his blow up penguin); he knew all of these without much help at all. He would go right over to that thing and pick it up. Then I started pointing to pictures in the "First 100 words" book and then finding it in the room and he loves that game. This morning we worked on "pants" and now he will shake his pant leg when you ask him where his pants are.
As his attention span is pretty short, this game only lasts a few minutes, but we have a lot of fun with it.
We started with 'dog', 'cup', 'ball', 'hat' and 'pete' (his blow up penguin); he knew all of these without much help at all. He would go right over to that thing and pick it up. Then I started pointing to pictures in the "First 100 words" book and then finding it in the room and he loves that game. This morning we worked on "pants" and now he will shake his pant leg when you ask him where his pants are.
As his attention span is pretty short, this game only lasts a few minutes, but we have a lot of fun with it.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
10th month
It seems this month flew by faster than the others - I am sure that trend will continue as he gets older.
A few things from this month
- took first steps
- cuddles when he is tired
- plays hide and seek really well
- hates the car seat
- transitioned to formula
- throws full blow temper tantrums - face and palms on the carpet and the saddest (tearless) cry you have ever heard
- started wearing size 4 diapers
- 6th tooth started to break through
- solid 2 naps a day (anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours)
- intensified the sippy cup training
A few things from this month
- took first steps
- cuddles when he is tired
- plays hide and seek really well
- hates the car seat
- transitioned to formula
- throws full blow temper tantrums - face and palms on the carpet and the saddest (tearless) cry you have ever heard
- started wearing size 4 diapers
- 6th tooth started to break through
- solid 2 naps a day (anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours)
- intensified the sippy cup training
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Summary of development
This post is more for me and possibly mothers with babies younger than John - but I wanted to document John's development from month to month a bit more - so from my memory and from pictures here is a summary of the last 9 months.
9th month (November 2008)milestones/development
- Cruising all over the place, he can get anywhere he wants as long as there is something to hold onto.
- He has 5 teeth, but 3 more on the way
- Eating table foods of any sort like a champ (except meats, he can not figure those out unless they are pureed), but still on jarred or frozen baby food too.
- Says what we think is "dog" ALL THE TIME. Obviously it really is just "du", but he always looks for the dogs.
- Just the last few days he has started to crawl on hands and knees more than the army crawl.
- Sleeps through the night unless something is wrong (teeth or sick)
- This month he has really started to oppose people that he does not know. He gets the sad face and starts to cry, but is quickly consoled by snuggling in closer to me or Dad. This is not one of the happier milestones
- 2 naps a day around an hour and 15 minutes a piece
- hates getting dressed and undressed
- Balls are probably his favorite toy
8 months (October 2008) milestones/developments:
- Started standing with assistance and pulling up to a standing position
- had 2 bottom teeth with 2 on the way up top
- really starting to engage whomever he is playing with
- perfected the army crawl and is the main source of transportation
7 months (September 2008) milestones/developments:
- really likes tummy time now, and is transitioning from scooting on his belly to the army crawl.
- sits up in the bath (blow up bath)
- starting to grow out of the activity toys (jumparoo, activity table, activity center, etc.) he wants to be mobile now.
- had his first cold :(
- sitting up really well without assistance
- full out laughter starts!
6 months (August 2008) milestones/developments:
- had his first pancake
- went from sitting up with assistance (hands, boppy, etc.) to no assistance, but still falls over a lot.
- LOVES his walker and other activity centers
- I think this was the month that he went from 3 naps to 2 naps.
- the spit up that has plagued us for the last 6 months is starting to subside with him sitting up
- 1st tooth
- started sleeping through the night (11hours), but teeth really interrupted that
- starts to entertain himself
5 months (July 2008) milestones/developments:
- rolling all over the place
- enjoys tummy time
- loves everyone, no preferences at this point
- loves the hammock out back, goes right to sleep if you swing him for a bit.
- first time in the jumparoo - he loves it, but only if you are in the room with him
- break the swaddle habit by months end
4 months (June 2008) milestones/developments:
- started sitting in his highchair and eating solids - introducing one food at a time for 3 days
- grabs his feet and put them in his mouth
- got him out of the swing for naps per Dr. orders.
3 months (May 2008) milestones/developments:
- will hold his head up right when sitting (with assistance)
- still does not LOVE tummy time
- not really on a nap schedule, he is normally just awake for an hour and half to two hours before he falls asleep again.
- Carl and I went on our first trip without him
2 months (April 2008) milestones/developments:
- naps only in his swing (need to break this habit)
- sleeps in his crib but only if he is swaddled TIGHT.
- smiling!!!!!
- we started using the baby bjorn
1 month (March 2008) milestones/developments:
- sleeps
- eats every 2 hours
- started sleeping in his crib after about 2 weeks (swaddled)
9th month (November 2008)milestones/development
- Cruising all over the place, he can get anywhere he wants as long as there is something to hold onto.
- He has 5 teeth, but 3 more on the way
- Eating table foods of any sort like a champ (except meats, he can not figure those out unless they are pureed), but still on jarred or frozen baby food too.
- Says what we think is "dog" ALL THE TIME. Obviously it really is just "du", but he always looks for the dogs.
- Just the last few days he has started to crawl on hands and knees more than the army crawl.
- Sleeps through the night unless something is wrong (teeth or sick)
- This month he has really started to oppose people that he does not know. He gets the sad face and starts to cry, but is quickly consoled by snuggling in closer to me or Dad. This is not one of the happier milestones
- 2 naps a day around an hour and 15 minutes a piece
- hates getting dressed and undressed
- Balls are probably his favorite toy
8 months (October 2008) milestones/developments:
- Started standing with assistance and pulling up to a standing position
- had 2 bottom teeth with 2 on the way up top
- really starting to engage whomever he is playing with
- perfected the army crawl and is the main source of transportation
7 months (September 2008) milestones/developments:
- really likes tummy time now, and is transitioning from scooting on his belly to the army crawl.
- sits up in the bath (blow up bath)
- starting to grow out of the activity toys (jumparoo, activity table, activity center, etc.) he wants to be mobile now.
- had his first cold :(
- sitting up really well without assistance
- full out laughter starts!
6 months (August 2008) milestones/developments:
- had his first pancake
- went from sitting up with assistance (hands, boppy, etc.) to no assistance, but still falls over a lot.
- LOVES his walker and other activity centers
- I think this was the month that he went from 3 naps to 2 naps.
- the spit up that has plagued us for the last 6 months is starting to subside with him sitting up
- 1st tooth
- started sleeping through the night (11hours), but teeth really interrupted that
- starts to entertain himself
5 months (July 2008) milestones/developments:
- rolling all over the place
- enjoys tummy time
- loves everyone, no preferences at this point
- loves the hammock out back, goes right to sleep if you swing him for a bit.
- first time in the jumparoo - he loves it, but only if you are in the room with him
- break the swaddle habit by months end
4 months (June 2008) milestones/developments:
- started sitting in his highchair and eating solids - introducing one food at a time for 3 days
- grabs his feet and put them in his mouth
- got him out of the swing for naps per Dr. orders.
3 months (May 2008) milestones/developments:
- will hold his head up right when sitting (with assistance)
- still does not LOVE tummy time
- not really on a nap schedule, he is normally just awake for an hour and half to two hours before he falls asleep again.
- Carl and I went on our first trip without him
2 months (April 2008) milestones/developments:
- naps only in his swing (need to break this habit)
- sleeps in his crib but only if he is swaddled TIGHT.
- smiling!!!!!
- we started using the baby bjorn
1 month (March 2008) milestones/developments:
- sleeps
- eats every 2 hours
- started sleeping in his crib after about 2 weeks (swaddled)
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
9 month appointment
John had his 9 month appointment yesterday. He got a clean bill of health.
The Dr. wants us to really start using a sippy cup more and more - so I am going to Target today to pick up a couple different kinds, as the ones he has he just plays with like a toy.
We also are going for a blood test later today to see if he is anemic. If he is not, then the Dr. wants us to start him on whole milk at night! Exciting stuff.
I am putting a summary of his stats over the last 9 months below:
9 months
Weight 20 lbs & 11 oz (47%)
Height 30'' (91%)
Head 18'' (58%)
6 month
Weight 17 lbs & 15.5 oz (57%)
Height 27.5'' (82%)
Head 17.5'' (68%)
4 month
Weight 15 lbs & 13 oz (66%)
Height 25.5'' (68%)
Head 17'' (72%)
2 month
Weight 12 lbs & 4 oz (64%)
Height 23.5'' (69%)
Head 15.75'' (51%)
Day 1
Weight 6 lbs and 13.5 oz
Height 20.5''
I am planning to do a blog entry later tonight (maybe tomorrow morning) about his non statistical development over the past 9 months. I want to do a better job of documenting his milestones. To be continued....
The Dr. wants us to really start using a sippy cup more and more - so I am going to Target today to pick up a couple different kinds, as the ones he has he just plays with like a toy.
We also are going for a blood test later today to see if he is anemic. If he is not, then the Dr. wants us to start him on whole milk at night! Exciting stuff.
I am putting a summary of his stats over the last 9 months below:
9 months
Weight 20 lbs & 11 oz (47%)
Height 30'' (91%)
Head 18'' (58%)
6 month
Weight 17 lbs & 15.5 oz (57%)
Height 27.5'' (82%)
Head 17.5'' (68%)
4 month
Weight 15 lbs & 13 oz (66%)
Height 25.5'' (68%)
Head 17'' (72%)
2 month
Weight 12 lbs & 4 oz (64%)
Height 23.5'' (69%)
Head 15.75'' (51%)
Day 1
Weight 6 lbs and 13.5 oz
Height 20.5''
I am planning to do a blog entry later tonight (maybe tomorrow morning) about his non statistical development over the past 9 months. I want to do a better job of documenting his milestones. To be continued....
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