Today we took both girls for their check-ups. (Lizzie's 18 month and Grace Ann's 4 year). Lizzie had to get 2 shots and Grace Ann had to get 4! Talk about MISERABLE! Thank goodness Will is so wonderful to take time out of his busy work schedule to go with me to most of these appointments! I definitely needed his help! The good news is GA is done with shots until she is 11! Whohoo!
Stats were:
GA was 33 pounds (20th percentile) and 38 inches (also 20th percentile)
Lizzie was 22 pounds (20th percentile) and 34 inches (95th percentile)
To compare, at 18 months, GA was also 22 pounds but was only 31 inches. Can't believe Lizzie is 3 inches taller! Now I understand why all the clothes I pulled out for her this season were too short! GA still had adorable chunky legs at this age, but Lizzie is just long and lean. I worry a little because she isn't a good eater, but Dr. Gilbert thinks she's okay. She did encourage us to try giving her peanut butter to give her some more fat and calories. (Especially bc she won't drink milk!) She is sooo picky!
Other important notes about them at this age just for my memory:
GA: strong-willed to an extreme, typical first child-leader and bossy personality, very bubbly and social (just like Will), loves her friends and teachers, loves princesses, adores having books read to her, abnormally verbal for her age and explains everything to me in detail from each school day, can get so silly (especially when she's tired), very cautious and scared of any new situation, has an unhealthy obsession with candy, very nosy, snugly and affectionate, so cheerful, stills loves TV but not as obsessed as in the past.
I never worry about GA's development - she is clearly bright for her age! But I CONSTANTLY worry about her attitude. She has a mind of her own, and I have to make her think everything is her idea or it will not happen without a fight. Her teacher says her behavior is great at school, but at home she can PITCH A FIT for sure! Things are improving lately though! I am always worried that she will be a little spoiled and am already working hard to teach her how fortunate and blessed she is. Hopefully some of that is sinking in. It is clear she will cause us many grey hairs through the years with her stubbornness, but I just try to remember the positives of being strong-willed (hopefully she won't easily be swayed negatively by others and won't let others stand in the way of her goals in life).
Lizzie: so funny, gives the best hugs, loves her family and Cassie, very picky about food, talks on an as-needed basis, never stops moving, refuses car seats, strollers, high chairs, etc., is a Daddy's girl, loves school and her teachers, great sleeper and takes 3 hour naps most days, loves baby dolls, loves music and dancing, scared of loud noises
In my opinion, 18 months is a hard age! Lizzie really needs her own personal assistant just to chase her around the house to make sure she doesn't injure herself as she climbs everywhere. She is so coordinated, and I'm amazed all the time by her motor skills. For example, she already jumps with both feet off the ground and GA didn't do that until after she was two. She has lots of new words but the ones we hear the most are MINE and please (complete with the sign language). It is so hard to turn her down when she says "please" 17 times. Even though she has the words to communicate, she usually doesn't talk unless she wants something. She can do most animal sounds and likes books too! She will not sit still to watch a video and sometimes I really wish she would :-)Everyone always thinks she is older than 18 months because she is really tall for her age and has SO MUCH HAIR! She really is SUCH a joy to us even though she is hard work right now.
Love both girls beyond words! SO blessed to have bright, beautiful, healthy babies!
