Caroline had her 15 month well visit today. Everything went well and there's nothing major to report. At 22 pounds and 2 ounces (I already forgot what her height is!), she falls into the 65th percentile for height and weight. She's hit all the milestones that Dr. Andrako asked about and shots aside, it was a pretty happy visit.
Her are details on all the areas of her development. I know it's a lot, but there's SO much going on and it's all too interesting (at least to me) not to share!
Verbal: Caroline has lots to say, and it's starting to become clearer what exactly it is that's she's saying! She says "no," "ball," "dog," "water" (just wa-), Dadda, Momma, and "more." She is also signing the words "more," "all done," "cookie" (this one took all of about 10 seconds to learn!), and (we're just learning) "please." Whenever Caroline wants something, she points and says "mmm mmm mmm." Her receptive language is developing really well too. She follows one step directions from Mommy and Daddy and her teacher in her Little Gym class and she clearly understands a lot of the questions we ask her. Caroline can also show us where our eyes, ears, teeth, and tongue are. We're working on the other body parts :)
Motor Skills: Caroline is a fluent walker. She still loves to climb furniture, stairs, and anything else she sets her little mind to. She still has an extraordinary affinity for making anything (like a giant pack of toilet paper) into a chair :)
Lately, she's also attempting to run, especially when she knows Mommy is trying to put a diaper on her! She's still learning to throw balls and build with blocks. Caroline loves to dance, give people high fives, and walk around holding Mommy or Daddy's hands.
Caroline's fine motor skills are great. She's really good at using a spoon and loves to draw with crayons, markers, and sidewalk chalk. Mommy has never fully appreciated the benefits of washable crayons and markers until now!
Personality: Caroline continues to be a fun loving, easy going, affectionate, and observant child. She loves giving her Mommy and Daddy hugs and kisses and will frequently take a break from her play to come and smother me with a big hug. Caroline also seems to be a natural helper. She helps me feed the dogs each morning, is really good about helping to clean up her toys, always wants to push the button on the washer and dryer to start the cycles, and even likes to help fold the laundry - although to say she's actually helpful is a stretch!
Lately, she's been having mild temper tantrums. It's hard not to laugh at her when she throws herself down on the floor in frustration, but it only lasts about 10 seconds and then she's back to normal.
Social: Caroline continues to be quite the social butterfly although she tends to spend a lot of time observing a large group of children before deciding she wants to join in. She enjoys visiting with her weekly playgroup pals, her Little Gym class, and playing with her neighbors. If we pull up in front of our house and someone is out in their yard, Caroline
must go and say hello. She waves "hello" and "goodbye" and also likes to shout across our street to ask the neighbors to come play with her. They are always happy to oblige :)
While Caroline loves to play, she has not learned how to share or ask nicely for a toy when someone else is using it. She's got pretty strong arms and uses them to collar any child who is threatening her territory! Of course, this is all part of being a toddler, but it is definitely something that Mommy and Caroline are working to improve :)
Interests: At 15 months, Caroline sometimes seems so grown up! She carries her baby, teddy bears, and other stuffed animals around, hugging, kissing, "feeding", and dressing them like she's their Mommy. The other day, I watched as she helped her baby do a forward roll just like I help her do in her Little Gym class! It was the cutest thing to see!
Caroline LOVES books! Every night, we read stories together on the couch. If Mommy and Daddy are both there, Caroline is very particular about which books each of us reads. She passes out the books between us with some sense of purpose that isn't clear to us adults.
Caroline is also very into helping Mommy. In the mornings, if I don't get motivated soon enough to get out for our morning walk, Caroline will bring me my exercise clothes, piece by piece, until I start to get dressed. She's also mindful of our little routines throughout the day. When she knows we're getting ready to leave the house, she brings the dogs' treat jar to their cages and gives them a treat once I've locked them inside. She also insists on putting a bow in her hair the second we finish getting her dressed. For some reason, it's always the same bow, no matter what outfit we're wearing, so sometimes I have to pull a quick switch-er-roo to put in a bow that actually matches what she's wearing!
Caroline continues to love riding around in her cozy coupe and her wagon. If we take a ride in one, we
have to take a ride in the other. She's very insistent about that. Luckily, the neighborhood kids are always willing to take Caroline for a spin if Mommy is too tired.
Caroline also continues to enjoy playing by herself, which is really nice for Mommy!
Food:
Caroline is a good eater who is capable of packing in large amounts of food! She's not too adventurous about trying new foods, but she does eat a wide range of foods. Some of her current favorites are peaches (last week she ate 2 in one sitting!), cantaloupe, mac and cheese, peas, green beans, whole wheat bagels, blueberries (always a hit!), and Popsicles. After weeks of trying, Caroline has finally decided that she likes milk...thank goodness! I discovered that if I add a little vanilla or fruit flavored yogurt to it, she will gulp it right down.
Whew! That was a lot, but I feel like I could type so much more! It's amazing how busy our little lady has been lately. She is truly a joy in every way.
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