15 Month Appointment

Sam and I took Elliot in for his 15-month appointment with the pediatrician. I always experience anxiety before these appointments. Because Elliot had such difficulty gaining weight (and I felt like such a failure), I'm always worried that he didn't gain weight and he's not getting taller. However, I had nothing to fear during this appointment. Elliot is 23 lbs, 4 oz and in the 33rd percentile for weight (He gained 3 pounds from his 12 month appointment). He is 30 inches tall, a gain of over an inch from our last appointment and is in the 18th percentile for height. Sadly he will never be a basketball player. And in case you're not aware of the hugeness of my kid's melon, he's in the 97th percentile for head size.

We had to come up with a list of the words that he says and write them down. I was able to come up with 12 or 13 and of course remembered more after we left the appointment. Dr. H watched Elliot walk and was very impressed. He said that he was very healthy and that everything looked great.

We discussed Elliot's picky eating and the doc assured us that E would get over it. Dr. H gave us a pamphlet on potty training, wanting us to start looking for signs that Elliot is ready to potty like a big boy. (That makes me really feel like my baby is growing up!). Elliot was a champ, getting three shots. He was able to be calmed very quickly! We only have one more vaccination at 18 months and then no more until he's 4!

Overall, A really great appointment. Elliot is right on track and Doc feels that we're doing a great job in the parenting department. Nothing like a good 'ol pat on the back to make my day! We go back in June!

Problem Solver

I continue to be amazed at the abilities that Elliot has picked up over the last few days/weeks/months. He's really turning into a real person, albeit it a very small and wobbly one. Last night he amazed me (and had me laughing) at his ability to problem solve. We bought him four new board books last night and he was really into them. My kid really digs books! He had one in each hand and we tried giving him a third. Usually he would have put down one of the two in either hand, but not my Elliot. He's a problem solver!! He just simply opened his mouth and had Sam put the third book there. He then carried all three to his destination. See, problem solver!

A few days ago, he decided that he needed to sort through the three pacifiers (paci's) in his bed. He would take one out, put another one in, and so on, and so on. At one point, he had one in his mouth and one in each hand. I handed him a fourth one and he paused. Then he tucked one to his chest (under his neck) and reached for the fourth paci. Have I mentioned my kid is a genius?? (I'm sure all of your kids have done the same thing, but I wasn't there to see it and I didn't give birth to your kid!)

He's also learning how to use a fork and is starting to venture into new foods (as long as they are on aforementioned fork). He can use a snack bowl without constantly flinging it to the floor. He's really using language and learning at least one new word every day, or at least repeating a new word. I love how the littlest things that he does leave me in complete awe. I hope that never changes.

And now for a few pics (sorry for the blurry one) of my little problem solver!

Nature or Nurture

It has recently come to my attention that my son is very sweet and loving. I would imagine that all children his age are sweet, but Elliot seems to really care for people and animals. He has learned how to hug. We did not teach him this, other than by hugging him...a lot! What we did teach him was how to treat the dogs. Initially, we taught him how to "pat pat", so that he would pet the dogs instead of grabbing or hitting them. He took to that wonderfully. Most recently we taught him to "love" the dogs. This consists of putting his head down on them and essentially hugging them. Within the last month or so, we have asked for "huggies", especially before putting him to bed. He would respond by laying his head on our shoulder. That was his version of a hug.

As recent as last weekend, his method of "huggies" changed. I guess by either watching us or others, he now puts his arms around you and then puts his head on you. He does this to the dogs as well. This morning, he did it to a stuffed dog. Interestingly enough, the dog that he has is electronic and asks for a hug. Elliot took that as a cue to then grab the dog and put his head on it.

He understands how to be gentle. He can get a little rough with the dogs, grabbing ears or pulling on their faces, but if we say, "gentle" or "give Janie huggies", his demeanor changes and he is gentle again.

So I ask you - is this something that is inherently within him or is this something that he has learned. I'd like to think that my son is inherently sweet, he does come by it naturally (at least from Sam). I also am hopeful that we are teaching him how to be kind and gentle and loving. The concept of nature versus nurture is double edged. I of course want this to be nature, I want him to be born "good", but I also want him to be able to adapt and pick up on social cues, hence the nurture part. I also want to show him, as a good model for loving and caring, how to be "good". Maybe this is a chicken vs egg scenario - you can't have one without the other. He can't learn to be good unless he has some goodness as a base to build on (nature then nurture). Okay, enough philosophical rambling. The bottom line is - it warms my heart to watch my child hug things...and people, and dogs. It melts my heart when he puts his arms around my neck, lays his head on my shoulder and squeezes. It makes me so proud when he is gentle with the dogs. And it makes me laugh when he tries to hug inanimate objects.

Fearless

Is this a boy thing? Having no fear in a way is like being completely innocent - you don't know any better. When Elliot was learning to walk he lacked the confidence to venture too far from something he could grab onto. He was so hesitant and for a fleeting second that was nice. Then he gained enough confidence to try walking and he was successful. Since he began walking, with that came climbing, sliding, attempting to take multiple headers off of the couch and practically running.

For example: today we went to the park after we picked him up from daycare. He wants to slide down the slide by himself, he wants to walk up the slide. He climbed the playscape steps with no problem, to the point that Sam had to run and jump to get ahead of him so he wouldn't walk off the edge of the playscape. He climbs up playscape tubes which are angled, basically things he shouldn't be able to do. But he doesn't know that. How lucky he is. He's willing to try anything because he doesn't yet know about failure. This is one trait I hope he takes with him forever.

Fearlessness - wonderful for the boy, terrifying for the mother!