Check ups - 4 year and 15 months

We brought the girls for their wellness checks with the doctor today.  They are both doing extremely well :)

First up was Emilia.  She is growing beautifully and is smart as can be.  She is a little shy to answer questions quickly, but it's not because she doesn't know the answer :)  When doing the hearing test, she was asked to raise her hand when she heard the beep.  She just sat there and smiled...  The nurse had to ask, "Do you hear that?"  With a little encouragement, she got into it and started shooting her hand up when she heard the beeps.  I have a feeling preschool is going to help her comfort level quite a bit.  We talked with the doctor about Emilia's anxiety surrounding bedtime.  This is something that has had some serious highs and lows over the last year.  

35lbs = 54th percentile


Olivia is doing very well too :)  When we were filling out the chart and marking yes or no on her milestones, we came across the one that says, "Scribbles with a crayon on paper" and realized, we haven't even given her the chance to try that!!  What is wrong with us!?!?  So I quickly handed over the pen and paper I was writting up and she showed us that, despite our short fall here, she knew just what to do :)  Olivia has been becoming more verbal lately too, which we LOVE.  Her most used words - mama, dada, all done, I did it, down, tickle-tickle-tickle, hi.  She also loves to make monkey sounds for all the animals she sees.

25.4lbs = 84th percentile

Waiting for the doctor and practicing saying "ahhhhh."

Emilia is all smiles after finding out she didn't need ANY shots this time!

Juicy Summer Fruit

Both Emilia and Olivia are great eaters who thoroughly enjoy their meals and snacks.  The reports from daycare usually describe the girls eating as great or stellar.  We are SO thankful that they love to eat and that what they eat is well balanced because this makes for healthy, happy kids.  The food battle is one we rarely have to fight as parents.  Don't get me wrong...every so often, Emilia needs some gentle encouragement to take a few more bites of this or that, but for the most part, she happily gobbles up whatever we have prepared for the family meal. 

Over Christmas, Emilia saw part of the movie, The Santa Clause.  In it, an elf comments that the reason his ears are pointy is because he doesn't eat his vegetables.  Well, this little scene has been imprinted in Emilia's little memory.  All we need to do is ask to see her ears when she has veggies on her plate left to eat and before you know it, she has spooned each bite into her mouth and is asking us to check to see if her ears still look "sharp".  Whatever it takes!  Ha ha!

When the girls get home from daycare, they are pretty much ready to eat the minute they walk in the door.  Unfortunately, we don't have a personal chef at home preparing our meals for our arrival.  So on most nights, we let the girls have a healthy snack while we work to get dinner ready.  One of their favorites is a full piece of fruit ALL TO THEMSELVES.  Given the sticky, staining mess potential of the nectarines I had in the fruit bowl last week, I decided it was best to strip the girls down and let them enjoy their fruit outside.  And enjoy it they did!!

Splash Pad

We made our first visit this summer to the Splash Pad with Kate, Tommy and Charlie.  Kate and I agreed that with 2 kids each, it would be easiest to manage them here versus a swimming pool.  Emilia and Tommy entertained each other the entire time and needed us only for the ride there.  Olivia and Charlie did their cute baby thing and enjoyed the many spouts and sprinkles with curiosity.

It's hard to believe that the last time we visited the Splash Pad, Emilia was 1 and had just started walking!  WOW, lots has changed since then!  Olivia had a blast in true 2nd child fashion.  She kept busy stepping on the bubbling hoses, walking under the sprinkler arches and being soaked from head to toe.  No fear, all fun!