6 Months and 3 Years

Sweet 3 year old MJ reading to little 6 month old Charlotte

At the very end of June, both kiddos were due for pediatrician visits...Charlotte for her 6 month check up and MJ for his 3 year check up.  We scheduled them back to back and geared up for quite a long doctor visit.  Both kids did great! 

Charlotte turned 6 months old on June 23, 2012 (yep, I'm still playing catch-up on the blogs).  She was such a happy, smiley girl that morning when I was taking her pics.  I couldn't believe how big she was looking in these pics! 

Charlotte's 6 month stats were:  18 lbs. (83%)-hadn't gained an ounce since her 4 month visit, 27 inches long (87%), and head circumference was 44 cm. (86%).  They weren't concerned that she hadn't gained anything since her height was still progressing and she obviously is still has plenty of meat on her bones.  ;)  All her percentiles were very consistent and proportioned.  She received 3 vaccines at this appointment, but didn't seem to demonstrate any side effects or reactions this time.  She was a great little patient at her appointment, of course crying for those shots (which mommy hates, too) but stopping immediately when being picked up and cuddled afterwards. 

At 6 months, Charlotte experienced many firsts...

First two teeth arrived together!

First finger food-a Gerber puff

This was her first attempt.  She's now shoveling them in like a pro!

First go with a sippy cup of water

First barrette...quite a big day in the life of a baby girl!  ;)

First time sitting up like a big girl! 

She literally went from showing no interest in sitting up to sitting like a pro in one night!  We'd almost been laughing about it because she really didn't seem interested in trying to sit at all.  When you'd prop her up, she'd just lunge herself backward and seemed more content laying on her back.  Of course one night when I was gone, she decided to put on a show for daddy and sit up!  Since then she's been sitting like a pro. 

Charlotte rolls around quite a bit now.  She's rolling and moving around in her sleep seeming to mostly prefer sleeping on her side or her belly now.  She's still nursing about every 4 hours during the day and eating solids 1-2 x per day as well.  She seems to like most foods that she tries.  Poor thing has had tummy issues since starting solids, so prunes seem to be a frequent food that we have to feed her.  ;)  I'm hoping that this works itself out and we don't have to resort to any medicine in the future.  Charlotte goes to bed at about 7:30 and wakes in the morning also around 7:30.  Unfortunately, in between that time is rather inconsistent.  She wakes up at least once around 4:30AM to eat, but then many nights she's waking up once before then as well, around 1:30AM or so.  I know she doesn't need to eat that often, so I try to calm her and get her back to sleep on her own.  Some nights are more successful than others.  She was such an amazing sleeper so early on at 12 straight hours, so I'm looking forward to the time when we get back to that routine.  She takes two naps during the day.  She seems to be a pretty good sleeper, but doesn't seem to require as much sleep as MJ did at that age. 





Seriously, what's sweeter than a soundly sleeping baby?

Our big 3 year-old checking out the Cars exhibit at Dubuque's River Fest

Our pediatrician suggests doing the 3 year check up closer to 3 1/2 because it's a lengthy appointment and requires quite a bit of cooperation on the part of the little patient, so the older the better.  I think this definitely worked to MJ's advantage.  He did a great job, and this was one of the first times that he hasn't freaked out at the doctor's office.  They made many of the tasks into a game with him, and he was eager to please.  He even thought peeing in a cup was quite the fun task!  Ha! 

MJ's 3 year stats were:  38.25 inches tall (48th %) and 31 lbs. (30%).  His vision and speech were screened as well.  He passed both, but between a little bit of concern on our end and a little bit on their end, we've decided to have his speech reevaluated one more time by Keystone, which are the early learning services offered through the public school system. 

MJ makes us laugh on a daily basis!  He says the funniest things so innocently.  Of course he's three, so he's quite good at testing our patience as well.  When asked to do something, his favorite responses are "maybe tomorrow, soon, and not right now."  Or when you ask him if he'd like to go somewhere, change activities, etc. he likes to rattle back a different order and then finish up with "that a good idea!"  For example:  "MJ, we need to get dressed and eat breakfast."  "Maybe we watch a show, eat breakfast, and then get dressed.  That a good idea!"  I'm telling ya, this kid is quite the negotiator. 

He loves to be on-the-go!  Most days he asks to go "bye-bye".  He likes to keep busy visiting friends, playgrounds, restaurants, etc.  He might be in for a shock once winter approaches and we spend a lot more time indoors again.  He's still a wonderful sleeper at nighttime, typically sleeping 11-12 hours each night.  He's beginning to phase out of naps.  Some days he still naps a couple hours, but the actual act of getting ready for nap time has become quite a struggle.  We're changing up the routine a bit in preparation for a change in schedule once he starts back to preschool this fall, and encouraging him to just have quiet time in his room where we can read books, play quietly, or rest if he feels like it. 

Trains continue to be a favorite of MJ's.  Trains, cars, paint, and this kid is all set!  We've been using a new behavior reward system with him where he earns little pom poms in a bucket for good choices.  When he earns 10, he gets a new little toy.  Of course, he's picked out a new train or car each time. 

I began this summer being diligent about working with MJ on his letters, numbers, and a few first sight words.  He had fun practicing his letter and number of the week in shaving cream!  I love making a plan for working with him.  It brings out the teacher in me of course, and he really thrives with it. I've struggled big time in sticking with it though with all our summer activities, guests, and travels.  I'm hoping once we get settled in our new house, I can get back on the ball with this. 



Practicing sight words with MJ

What an incredible blessing these two healthy children are.  It feels like time is flying by so much more quickly now that I have 2 children.  I still feel like Charlotte should be a newborn.  Days can be challenging and very tiring, but I am so incredibly grateful to be their mommy.  It's not a role that I ever take for granted.  I love watching them grow, develop, and learn.