12 month check-up

Madeline had her 12 month doctor’s visit this week.  Everything looks great!  She is 19.5 lbs. and 29 ¾” long and passed her physical exam with flying colors.  And, her ears looked good.  Whew!  We got the green light to stop using bottles and put her in her “big girl” car seat, which is so bittersweet.  We sent Madeline off to Bozenna’s this morning with her last bottle (kinda sad, but really happy that we won’t be buying formula anymore!). We installed her new car seat in my car this week, too – still facing backwards until she hits 20 lbs. – and she seems to like it.   She can sit up and look out the window a little better, which makes her excited.  On the way home in the afternoons she just talks and talks. And, we ordered an extra car seat for Derek’s car, which should arrive this week.  Moving on up in the world people!

Madeline is eating anything that we eat at the table now and is drinking more whole milk.  No change in her sleep – 8 pm – 6:30/7 am.  Her usual daily activities include walking, walking, dancing, more walking.  She has really started to get more confident in her walk and has started to dance when she hears music.  I can’t explain how cute this is.  Derek and I have a nice belly laugh every time she gets moving.  She had her first real “fall” this week.  She tripped and hit the storm door at the house and had a nice little goose egg on her forehead.  After a little cry, she saw her sippy cup, asked for it and had a sip of water, and then wanted to get back down on the floor.  She was over it.  Derek and I were still sad about it when she went to bed.  Sigh.

We’ve been practicing more words – sounds like “please” might be next on the list (sounds like “peetsss” and we don’t quite know when to use it, but hey, I’ll take it). The words she can’t say just yet, she understands.  She points to what she wants, and if you ask her where something is, she looks and it, and usually points to it.

And we’re up to 9 teeth!  We noticed a molar popping through just after her first birthday. Now she’ll really be ready to tear into that food. 

What a difference a year makes.  This time last year, we were learning how to be a family of three (every 3-4 hours of the day and night).  Now, I can’t imagine it being any better.  Life is so good.