Average

Hello!

Julia had her 18-month check up today. Aside from the fact that she
is scared of the nurse and the doctor, the visit went swimmingly.

Julia is "average" in height, weight, etc., but that's all good with us here!

She is 22 lbs, 12 oz, which means she has gained almost 2 lbs in 3
months. Way to go, kid! I was slightly concerned with her last
weight gain of only 6 oz in 3 months, so 2 lbs is much better! She is
40th percentile for weight.

She is 32" tall. She is quickly encroaching on that 3 ft mark, and it
is apparent, seeing as how she can reach door handles now (but cannot
turn them) and can blindly whisk anything off of the tables in the
kitchen and dining room. She is 50th percentile for height.

Her head measured at 18.5", and apparently that finally popped her out
of the "small head" category. :)

Her development astounds me daily; she impresses me with what she is
able to do. I look at the "Development" list for 18-month-olds, and I
smile when I realize she DOES do most of the things listed there and
has been for a while. That is a good feeling.

She has been climbing up and down the steps since she was 12 months
old, and long before she was walking. Recently she has started to go
up and down them while STANDING UP, much to my fright, but she is
getting a lot better at it and wants to do it herself using the
railing.

She also has been climbing into chairs for quite some time, and this
is a big enjoyment for her, especially when she knows she should NOT
be doing it. :)

She can draw with a crayon, throw a ball, drink from a cup, stack
blocks and rings... it's fun to watch her learn new things!

She also is quite the little talker in her own language. She really
loves to read books, on her own and with a parent, and she likes to
tell stories from the book, even coloring books. She still doesn't
say a lot of "English" words, but she has tried out a few before they
have disappeared back into the "word vault". However, she is
constantly asking, "What's this?" and pointing at things.

And, she has a number of "sounds" down. She meows constantly, makes
the "shhh" sound when "filling" a cup from her play fridge, says
"whee" when on swings, rocking horse, or slides, says "ahh" after
taking a drink, and says "beep" when pressing imaginary phone or
microwave buttons. Too cute! And, of course, she is very good at
shaking her head "no" and saying "mo" when she wants more of
something. :)

All in all, we think she is moving along just fine! Hopefully she
enjoys meeting her new baby sister OR brother come September! Julia's
next appointment is in DECEMBER...!!! After she is TWO! WOW!

Hope you have enjoyed her developmental updates thus far...!

erin