Category: Checkups

So we’re a bit overdue for the birthday checkup, but we got it done last night. A big appointment with many questions about Maeve’s recent behavior – but as usual Jennifer was wonderful and never made us feel rushed. I think we were there for almost an hour! Maeve is still growing very well (see measurements below) and was a very brave girl with her one shot and flu mist… but we have been dealing with some new and challenging 3-year-old behaviors that we wanted some advice with:

• We have some success on the potty, but mostly resistance.
• We have seen a resurgence of major separation issues, with school drop off primarily, but also with pretty much anyone who isn’t mommy.
• We have instituted the use of the time-out chair for some occasional hitting and a few other unacceptable behaviors.

We know this is all very normal for her age, but it’s not what we’re used to from our Maeve! Overall, she was a very patient patient and did some nice drawings for Jennifer while we talked about her (and no doubt understood everything we were saying!).

Measurements:
Weight: 28 1/2 lbs. (25th percentile)
Length: 37″ (50th percentile)

In the past few weeks, we have enjoyed more than just challenging behavior though… We had wonderful visits with family and friends around Maeve’s birthday, and have enjoyed several other friends’ birthday parties as well. We got to spend an afternoon babysitting Lucy, who is a very busy 9-month-old already! We also participated in Read for the Record – helping to set a world record for the most children reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar on the same day. And Maeve and I had some fun outings to the Skydeck at the Sears Tower and the Museum of Science & Industry. Although I have been behind with my updates, I have kept the pictures in the gallery up-to-date… Enjoy!

We are not officially celebrating Maeve turning 2 1/2 today, but I feel like celebrating! The sun is shining, Maeve just ate a whole bowl of chicken soup with minimal bribing, and she completely rocked her check-up with Jennifer today. She cried just a bit when we got there and she realized that she had to strip down today (versus previous visits where we were just doing ear checks). After we got out a few of the doctor kit items we brought, our favorite pal Pig, and some shamrock stickers (thanks Aunt Katie and Aunt Megan!) she sat patiently while I asked all our questions. She lasted the rest of the exam with NO CRYING (a first, for sure) and even asked Jennifer to walk out with her to get her sticker just like last time! Of course, it helped all of us that she wasn’t due for any vaccinations today…

Measurements:

Weight: 26 lbs. 11 oz. (25th percentile) – 3 whole pounds and up from the 5th and 10th!
Length: 35″ (50th percentile)
Head: 19 3/4″ (90th percentile)

We had a fun morning jumping around at Pump-it-Up before her appointment today and Maeve braved the slides by herself. She is saying the greatest things now that demonstrate that she knows things – of course these aren’t things we’ve taught her but she seems to have figured out on her own… examples include knowing when she is in the shade or the sun (and asking for something to block the light for “shade” in the bathroom); she also responded with “like a boat” when I said she was floating in the bathtub. We are constantly astounded and of course beaming with pride!

Congratulations go out to our friends Paula and Mark who welcomed their baby boy, Ryan James, on St. Patrick’s Day this week! Maeve is excited to meet him and said “He’s very cute” when she saw his picture… We are off to Grandma’s this weekend after playgroup and art class tomorrow. Hope this Spring weather decides to stick around!

Last night was Maeve’s 2-year-old check-up and she was such a trooper! She was very anxious when she realized where we were and begged to go home, but managed to hold it together while we went through our list of questions with Jennifer. Everything checked out very well and Maeve only had to get one shot since the flu shot is now a mist! She was so polite through her tears, saying “good-bye” and “thanks” to both Jennifer and the nurse with the shot – trying to get them to leave quicker I think! – and even said “see you soon” to them…it was adorable.

Measurements:
Weight: 23 lbs. 13 oz. (10th percentile)
Length: 34″ (50th percentile)
Head: 19 1/4″ (75th percentile)

Tonight, Maeve survived the ugly weather and her MMR shot. She remembered immediately upon arrival that these visits don’t end well, so she was too scared and upset to show off her 30+ words, social development, or physical advances. She was very brave though, and pretty excited about her Elmo and Dora stickers! Maeve’s weight gain was her biggest achievement – she is finally over 20 pounds and Nanna had the closest guess with 20 lbs. 15 oz.!

Measurements:

Weight: 20 lbs. 13 oz. (5th-10th percentile)

Length: 32″ (50th percentile)

Head: 18 3/4″ (75th percentile)

Mommy and Maeve are off to the Nature Museum tomorrow morning – hopefully it’s not still snowing. Nanna, Aunt Peggy and Aunt Heather are all visiting G.G. and Aunt Nancy this week in the warm, sunny Bahamas – we are jealous and we wish G.G. a very happy birthday this weekend!

Maeve had a good checkup tonight and got high marks for her emerging communication skills and advancing physical capabilities. She is teething right now and it seems to be a bit painful for her – all molars appear to be coming in at once! Aunt Heather had the closest guess on Maeve’s weight…she is still tracking on the low end of the curve because as Aunt Heather predicted, “if she’s running about, she’s walking off her gains!”

Measurements:

Weight: 18 lbs. 12 oz. (5th percentile)

Length: 30.5″ (50th percentile)

Head: 18 1/2″ (75th percentile)

Weight – 16 lbs. 15 oz. (Grandad and Aunt Peggy were equally distributed on either side with their guesses – congratulations!)

Length – 27 1/2″

Head – 17 3/4″

Nanna accompanied us to the pediatrician tonight for our well-baby visit with Daddy out of town for work. We got a great report and Maeve is right on target developmentally! Her doctor was very impressed with her many abilities, including how she turns the pages of her books!