19 Months ~Amelia~

Does it really have to be winter already?  I know the calendar doesn’t say so but my thermometer surely does.  With the cooler temps, comes the extra work of bundling up but also the fun activities such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and snowmen.  So far Amelia seems to really enjoy the idea of snow and looking at it but she hasn’t had the opportunity to play in it yet.  We are so very excited about all the upcoming festivities and family time and can’t see what the season brings.   

Growth:

Weight:  24 lbs
Height:  33"

Nearly all of Amelia’s 18 month clothes have been taken out of rotation.  She is in 24 month and 2T items.  Diapers are still a size 4 and shoes a size 5. 

Mobility/Coordination:  I say it every month but Amelia is such a busy body.  She’s so silly and likes walking sideways or backwards and turning in circles until she falls down from dizziness.  She likes trying to jump (her feet don’t leave the floor yet) and gets ways up on her tip toes.  She also likes walking in her tip toes quite a bit lately.

She has discovered she is tall enough to open the pantry cabinets and loves clearing the pantry out.  She also knows if she jiggles the child proof locks on our cabinets just right she can get the lock off.  Apparently she has figured this trip out at daycare as well.  She likes trying to get her coat on which usually ends up upside down.  Although, there are occasions when she gets it on correctly. 
   




















Amelia’s fine motor is still about the same but it has been all about fine tuning her skills:  feeding herself, dressing herself (or trying to), puzzles, stacking.

Language/Communication:  Speech has really taken off this month.  She is trying so hard at times and more successfully getting words out.  She now says Jesus, bug, more cheese, Monty, night night and bye bye.  Some of her translated words include: mommy = mom-my, uh oh = ah ho, diaper = by-ber, blanket = bah boo, and help = elp (which she asks for frequently and will grab your hand and lead you to what she needs help with). 

Personality/Amelia-isms:  This was the first month that Amelia exhibited any signs of stranger danger.  At her 18 month checkup, she was freaked out by the nurse and then the doctor.  She shrieked very loud and cried when they tried getting near her (and she doesn’t even get shots).  Since that day, there haven’t really been any other people or situations that she has reacted in that way though.  

Amelia is so fun and silly.  She loves showing you what she wants, giving high-fives and knuckles and then blowing them up. 

Sleep:  Amelia has dropped her morning nap almost completely other than occasions when she takes a very short cat nap in the car if running errands (or occasionally at daycare).  Otherwise, it’s just one 2-4 hour afternoon nap and bed at 6:30-7 and sleeping through the night no problem still.      

Eating:  Amelia still pecks at her food and generally doesn’t eat much.  You’d think she’d wither away but she definitely has not. 

Teeth:  Amelia popped her lower right incisor this month.   

Illnesses/Owies:  No real illnesses to speak of this month but about a week ago Amelia developed a rash on her torso.  The next morning the rash was gone and reappeared a day later only to disappear again.  We’re not really sure what to attribute it to and couldn’t pin point any likely food or environmental factors. 

Brother/Sister Moment(s):  Grant usually plays nicely with Amelia and Amelia of course loves being his shadow.  Lately we notice that anything that Amelia plays with Grant immediately wants and will snatch it out of her hands.  Of course Amelia then gets very upset and the crying ensues because Amelia got a toy taken away and then Grant is made to give the toy back to Amelia.  Talk about a vicious circle!

My boss gave the kids an antique school desk which they both absolutely love sitting at and playing with.  They have actually done pretty well sharing the desk space and will sit there together and “play school” according to Grant. 

Firsts/Adventures:  Nothing exceptionally fun or out of the ordinary this month. 

Likes:  wearing shoes and trying them on ~ reading (she will actually sit still for an entire book now!) ~ helping unload the dishwasher ~ singing and being sung to ~ blanket or “bah-boo”

Dislikes:  her earrings (she pulls them out and she doesn’t care how hard she has to pull to do so)  ~  wearing a hat and mittens ~ the vacuum cleaner (she clings to you and cries) ~ loud noises ~ being left out of the fun

Toddler Moment(s):  We have still been periodically using timeouts with occasional minimal success.  She’s never too happy about the idea.  Amelia’s #1 timeout reason… playing in the dog food and water bowls.    

Potty Training:  We are still trying to get Amelia to sit on the potty for what would be an adequate amount of time.  I thought maybe if I put her on the big toilet with the trainer toilet seat it would help because then she would be trapped and not be able to run away.  Wrong.  She. Freaked. Out.  I immediately took her off because I definitely don’t want her to be scared of the big toilet.

18 Months ~Amelia~

I am a couple days late again this month but I wanted to wait until after Amelia’s 18 month check up.  I myself am blown away at the fact that our baby girl is a year and a half already.  It makes me sad because she is definitely no longer a baby but excited to see her grow up, become more independent, and enjoy playing with Grant more and more. 

Growth:

Weight:  23 lbs 11 oz (40th percentile)
Height:  32.5" (80th percentile)
Head Circumference: 47 cm (75th percentile)

She is mainly in 18 month items and mixing in a 24 month or 2T item but most of those are still a little big on her.  Diapers are size 4 and shoes are size 5. 

Mobility/Coordination:  It’s nearly impossible to contain Amelia these days.  She can climb onto our counter height stools and has learned to use the face of our cabinet doors for an extra boost to reach stuff on the counter tops (Not cool!).  She loves using the handle of the recliner as a step and climbing over the arm.  She has also learned how to take her shirt off which can make for quite the topic of conversation.   I think Amelia has been trying to climb out of her crib as well.  On two occasions, we have had to go rescue her because her knee was caught in the slats of the crib. 

Amelia’s fine motor is coming along nicely.  She is getting better at shape sorter toys, stacking, and beginning to work with puzzles.  She can eat pretty well with a spoon/fork at this point and drinks pretty well from a regular cup.

Language/Communication:  New words this month… eye, up, down, bite, cat, snack=“nack” (every meal is referred to a “nack”).  She puts her hand up and says "dop"=stop.  One afternoon she motioned me to come here.  When I hesitated, she walked up to me, grabbed my hand and led me to the bathroom so I could close the toilet seat.  As you can see, Amelia’s language, communication, and comprehension has grown exponentially in the last couple months. 

Amelia has followed Grant’s lead in making noises for toys such as trucks/trains and loves humming along to songs.  Her favorite lately is Itsy Bitsy Spider and she tries to climb the spider with her fingers and follow along with the motions.   

Personality/Amelia-isms:  It has been another month of Amelia finding herself and her personality.  She still loves squealing and screaming usually when she’s mocking Grant or not getting her way.  However, when she is acting sassy she will turn right back around and give you kisses (including to the dogs), hugs, and pat/rub your back.  In the next moment, she goes right for your hair and gives it a yank! 

Sleep:  Amelia is still occasionally sneaking in that morning nap but for the most part there have been very few changes on the sleep front.  Bed time is still about 6:30 or 7:00 and she sleeps through the night without waking. 

Eating:  Amelia still eats like a bird on occasion, pecking here and there and taking little nibbles.  However, last week the kids had spaghetti at a restaurant and she absolutely loved it.  She doesn’t eat my spaghetti like that!  She still loves her carbs and isn’t really a fan of meat. 

Teeth:  Amelia popped two new teeth this month, both the upper left and right incisors.    

Illnesses/Owies:  While we were in Chicago, Amelia was running a low grade fever but otherwise seemed completely ok.  When we returned, we heard that hand, foot and mouth was going around daycare again and sure enough Amelia had 2 solitary blisters that popped up on her thumb. 

Brother/Sister Moment(s):  Grant and Amelia play together daily and for the most part play well together.  The other day Grant came running in the kitchen and said, “Mommy, can Amelia come play with me?”  Off they ran to the toy room to build a “ghost trap.”  (The same “ghost trap” they gave up on building because Grant said he “has an oil that will kill them.”)

Firsts/Adventures:  This month Amelia had her first dentist appointment which was nothing more than an initial knee to knee exam with the dentist.  She wasn’t too happy about him putting his fingers in her mouth.

Trick or Treat!  This was the first year Amelia participated in trick or treating.  She rode in the wagon with Grant and when we got to each house she was trying to climb out of the wagon to get to the front door.  She absolutely loved it! 

Likes:  Playing with the squishy Halloween window decorations ~ singing ~ dancing ~ giving hugs and kisses ~ climbing on Monty ~ blanket ~ Grant’s dolphin (this doesn’t always go over very well) ~ hiding ~ putting her hands in her pockets

Dislikes:  the vacuum cleaner (she clings to you and cries) ~ loud noises ~ being left out of the fun ~ carving pumpkins and pumpkin goo (she wanted nothing to do with it and refused to touch it until we were almost done)

Toddler Moment(s):  We’ve been slowly incorporating the idea of time out.  Usually it lasts for 10-15 seconds max so far and she does not like it. 

Potty Training:  Amelia definitely knows where the potty is and when we tell Grant to go potty Amelia will go and point to the bathroom.  There have also been occasions where I ask if she is pooping (because she is grunting and pushing) and she will walk to the bathroom.

  

Autumn at approx. 14 Months

Amelia at 18 months

Happy half birthday Amelia Grace!! 

17 Months ~Amelia~

At 17 months, we are seeing more personality and spunk out of Amelia than any other time to date.  She is fun and silly with a side of sass.  She adores her brother and has been enjoying spending time with Grandma Cheryl during her visit.  

Growth 
Weight:  23.4 lbs
Height:  32" (Maybe?) 

She is in 18 month items and occasionally mixing in a 24 month or 2T item but most of those are still a little big on her.  Diapers are size 4 and shoes are size 5. 

Mobility/Coordination:  Amelia loves trying to do a somersault.  She now knows how to fly down the stairs on her tummy and likes taking our hands to lead us places.  Her favorite game is ring around the rosie. 

Language/Communication:  One of Amelia’s favorite new words is “truck” which actually sounds pretty close to truck.  She says “mush” repeatedly which usually means milk.  Other than that, there is a lot of babble and trying to talk but most of it is babble that she insists should make sense to everyone.  She can now identify her ears, feet, eyes, and hair. 

Personality/Amelia-isms:  We’ve recently noticed that when we have Amelia one on one with no other distractions she is a completely different little girl.  She isn’t nearly as busy or sassy and is an absolute blast.  Not saying she isn’t fun when others are around she is just different and thrives with the one on one attention.

As I mentioned already, she is still full of sass and if she doesn’t want to do something she will let you know by blowing raspberries and shaking her head no incessantly.  Biting has still been on the down swing thankfully but boy does she scream when she isn’t happy about what you’ve done to her.  I’m talking blood curdling squeal if she isn’t happy! 

Sleep:  Amelia likes playing with and rubbing a blanket as she falls asleep sucking her thumb.  At daycare, she has pretty much dropped her morning nap but at home still prefers to take two. 

Eating:  No change here… Amelia’s appetite is still about the same lately.  It’s hit and miss with meals but milk is usually chugged or whined for before she will eat a bite.  We are working on this right now because we really want to encourage eating full meals instead of snacking and drinking mainly milk.    

Teeth:  No new teeth this month but her four incisors are very close.  You can see them just below the surface and I think they are giving her a bit of a hard time.    

Illnesses/Owies:  None 

Brother/Sister Moment(s):  Amelia loves to grab Grant’s hand to play ring around the rosie.  And I know I say it month after month but she is his little shadow.  It is so adorable.  She adores him and wants to do everything he does… or try to at least.  Grant is becoming much more tolerant and actually enjoys playing with her and asks if she wants to play with him.   

Firsts/Adventures:  This month Amelia was the flower girl in her first ever wedding, her Aunt Kelli and Uncle Ben’s.  She did surprisingly well with no nap but was zonked by 6:30.  We also had my best friend Jenni’s wedding in which she held up like a champ before crashing.

We took our first family trip to the zoo this month.  Amelia enjoyed it but I would say overall it left something to be desired for her at this age.

My 30^th birthday was also listed in the activities enjoyed this month.  It was pretty low key but exactly what I wanted.      

Likes:  ketchup or dip of any kind (she dips, licks it off, and dips again) ~ putting lotion on ~ playing with my hair ~ ring around the rosie ~ washing her hands ~ sucking her thumb ~ snuggling with a blankie ~ getting her oils on (as soon as I grab them, she lays down and sticks her feet up in the air)

Dislikes:  eating a full meal ~ being told no

Toddler Moment(s):  Amelia is slowly mastering the limp noodle.  She is also a master of shaking her head no, blowing raspberries and screaming when she doesn’t get her way. 

Potty Training:  No progress here.  She still isn’t patient enough to sit still on the potty but will for a split second without freaking out so I guess that is a plus.

Grant ~Summer 2014~

Summer has absolutely flown by of course and now we are gearing up for a visit from my mom this week!  We had so much fun with all kinds of adventures.  

Approximate size

Height:  39.5"

Weight:  34.2 lbs

Clothing wise Grant is in the weird limbo between 3T and 4T where some items are too small but the next size up is too big in some cases.  We do a lot of mixing and matching sizes and changing clothes when we put pants on that have become high waters.  He wears a size 9 shoe and still wears the 2T/3T undies… skinny minny!!

Potty training:

We are accident free all day long 99% of the time and I am happy to report naps and night time have been dryer.  We are not dry all the time but I would say about 70% of the time Grant wakes up dry.  One thing he has yet to do is wake up in the middle of the night and tell us he has to potty.  I really feel like that is the next and final step to staying dry all the time.  He needs to feel that sensation and wake himself up to go potty… possibly a problem with his propensity to sleep so heavily. 

June

 

Favorite words, sayings and/or things:  fly swatter = fly and swatter  It must be the time of the year and the fact that it is tornado/bad weather season but Grant loves talking about tornadoes and asking why they form and what they do.  We saw lightning strike one night and he asked us if the “sky cracked open.”   

Funnies/Grant-isms:  It’s a daily spelling bee in the Fisher house for mom and dad.  Grant is always asking us to spell words.   

Observations:  An additional 6 months or so of gained coordination did wonders for Grant’s gator driving capabilities.  He is a pro and can weave in and out of the cars and around the yard.  He can get on and off our toilets at home by himself which has proven to be both a blessing and a curse.  After he poops, if he decides to take off running to us to help him wipe it can turn into a messy situation. 

At 3 years post tube insertion, both of Grant’s tubes have now fallen out on their own.

Firsts/Adventures:  This month marked the first pet we purchased for Grant.  It was a beta fish and there has been a lot of speculation about where they fish’s mommy is and why we now have to take care of the fish.  Grant’s favorite theory is a “wolf probably ate her.”  Unfortunately, “Blue Fin” only lasted 9 days so we now have a new fish by the name of “Moon Beam.”   

We also attended the annual Breakfast on the Farm which of course Grant absolutely loved!     

July

Favorite words, sayings and/or things: Grant says “that’s lovely” about anything he likes or if you tell him a story he will reply with “that’s lovely.”  One of Grant’s teachers noticed that Grant rarely struggles with speech and most pronunciations but the h sound seems to slip from his vocabulary.  For instance hand = and or hug = ug.  We have been working on getting that h sound in by saying “huh” into his hand so he can feel his breath when he pronounces a word that way.  It helps when he thinks about it but often slips his mind unless we remind him. 

Funnies/Grant-isms:  Grant loves taking his giraffe lawn chair along on boat rides.  He looked down at Matt’s legs one night while lounging on the couch and said “man, you have a lot of fur.”

 

We arrived home one afternoon after a day on the boat and got Grant and Amelia out of the car while we unloaded the boat.  Matt and I both realized we hadn’t heard Grant in a while and went looking for him with a slight panic.  What we found was Grant stripped naked playing in his pool and going down his slide in the backyard.  It was absolutely hilarious.  Good thing we have privacy for our little exhibitionist!

Observations:  He is getting very good at spatial concepts as well as time and when things will occur.  He loves puzzles and can pretty easily complete a 20-30 piece puzzle.  Luckily we didn’t have to find out the hard way that Grant can now open childproof bottles.  He can also get the top buckle of his car seat buckled by himself.   

Firsts/Adventures:  Grant absolutely LOVED the fireworks and all things 4^th of July this year: small ones in our yard, sparklers and the huge ones we got to watch front and center perched on the hill at my work.  He loved them!  

 

This month marked our first trip to the fair.  Grant loved all the rides and was actually able to go back with his class from school.  The field trip was a bit more eventful with a camel that “snotted green on his hand” and the goat that “poops nuggets out of his back.”  That afternoon he even informed his class at lunch that everyone was eating “nuggets” which were actually baked beans.   

We had a fun trip to Long Lake for Owen’s birthday and Grant and the kids got in some beach and swim time.  Grant even took his first ride on the tube.  He did fine but wasn’t overly enthusiastic about it. 

July marked the death of fish #2.  Apparently the Fishers can’t keep a fish alive so we decided to go a different route and purchased not 1 but 2 hermit crabs (because according to Matt they need a friend).  Grant hasn’t named them and refers to them as the “mean one” and the “nice one” which really just eludes to the fact that one is more active and crawls all over the other. 

We also went and at some fun at Bookworm Gardens (a garden where they bring childhood stories to life) as well as the Mt. Calvary Parade.   

 

August

Favorite words, sayings and/or things:  Grant had fun at my softball games that he was able to come to and liked ending the night when possible by running the bases.  His new favorite show is one on PBS call “Word world.”  It is very much mom and dad approved and helps fulfill his appetite for our spelling bee sessions. 

 

Grant still loves all things green as well his “baby dolphin.”

Funnies/Grant-isms: Grant is all boy and all energy these days.  His favorite activity… jumping off objects:  the couch, table, chairs YIKES!  He was an absolute dancing machine at Matt’s cousin’s wedding this month but when it rolled around to Matt’s sister’s wedding he was too exhausted by that point in the night to have any interest in dancing.

Observations:  Grant’s sassiness kicked into high gear this month.  We’ve had good day and bad days of course but the melt downs are over the smallest and most ridiculous things usually.  Then when he gets disciplined or reprimanded he spews things off like I don’t love you and goes through every “naughty” word in his vocabulary such as “you butt, toot, wiener, booger.”  I am happy to say it has gotten better but one afternoon on his way in from recess he intentionally peed his pants in the hallway and told the teacher it was “because he wanted to.”  Needless to say, Grant has had many nights without dolphin, afternoons with no driving the gator or playing outside and many of his favorite shows deleted off the DVR.  Sometimes it honestly feels like mom and dad are the ones being punished!!!

Firsts/Adventures:  We took a tubing trip down the Wolf River and had an absolute blast.  Grant loved it!  We also visited the Madison zoo and took the kids for their first ever Hibachi grill experience.  Grant couldn’t take his eyes off the chef!  

 

Grant was in his first wedding (Kelli, Matt’s sister) and did pretty well listening and pulling the wagon down the aisle (Amelia and Vada were the flower girls). 

  

He sang… or I should say danced at church after VBS wrapped up this year.  Check him out front and center doing his dance!

He’s also been spending some time in the next classroom up at school getting ready for that transition which will happen in the beginning of October.

16 Months ~Amelia~

 

As summer is coming to a close, it seems we are busier than ever.  We pretty much knew our summer was going to culminate with the weddings of Matt’s cousin, Matt’s sister, and my best friend Jenni.  Well we are now in the midst of the final wedding push of the season and enjoying all the activity that goes with it. 

Growth:

Weight:  approximately 22 lbs

She is in 18 month items and occasionally mixing in a 24 month or 2T item but most of those are still a little big on her.  Diapers are size 4 and shoes are size 4-5. 

Mobility/Coordination:  Amelia is a quick little booger!  She can scoot up the stairs, climb onto our rather tall bed, and is still fearless about climbing on the couch.  She throws a ball with a forward motion and tries to get dressed on her own.  She is also getting much better at feeding herself with a spoon.    

 

Language/Communication:  We’ve seen some progress this month with speech.  Amelia finally says “ma-ma!”  She says more (“moh-moh”) and banana (“nana”), “hot” and all done (“ah da”).  Amelia also knows what a cow says but when you ask her what any animal says, she says “moo” so I’m not sure if that counts or not.  She also knows where her ears, mouth and nose are. 

Personality/Amelia-isms:  I am happy to say it seems Amelia’s biting has diminished at least slightly.  They opted to move her up to the 18-24 month room at daycare in hopes it keeps her busier (no more picking on the babies because she is the oldest and most mobile). 

When we ask Amelia if she wants to do something, she always shakes her head no.  When we have to tell her no or correct her, she does sign language for the word no over and over… I guess we’ve had to use that sign quite a bit.  

Sleep:  I think we are seeing the beginning of Amelia dropping her morning nap finally.  At daycare, she seems more apt to skip it but when we get home at night she is ready for bed by 6:00 or before.  On the weekends, she still likes to sneak in two naps.    

Eating:  No change here… Amelia’s appetite is still about the same lately as well.  It’s hit and miss with meals but milk is usually chugged and then her cup is chucked to the ground. 

 

Teeth:  Amelia’s lower left and lower right molars made appearances early this month.  That makes 5 new teeth in 5 weeks which doesn’t quite break her previous record of 5 teeth in 3 weeks. 

Illnesses/Owies:  None - surprisingly... Even with walking around with a helmet over her head.  

Brother/Sister Moment(s):   Grant and Amelia are a hoot in the bathtub.  They lay down and flip and flop and giggle.  It’s absolutely adorable and hilarious.    

Firsts:  Hibachi grill experience ~ pony tail in her hair ~ wolf river tubing trip (she did very well and was content and happy most of the trip down the river!) 

Likes:  jumping on our bed with Grant ~ feeding the dogs ~ sticking her finger in her nose ~ milk ~ balls ~ bread, pasta, carbs ~ reading ~ biting ~ mommy's softball games and running the bases

Dislikes:  being tired ~ being told no ~ empty milk cup ~

  

Toddler Moment(s):  The biggest toddler hurdle we are facing lately is that she is learning from her brother – good and bad.  She is his shadow and with Grant’s ill moods and sassiness lately she is picking up on those behaviors.     

Potty Training:  We have introduced the potty chair.  There have been some sitting sessions on the potty with no reluctance but the problem is getting her to stay on it.  She’s too busy!!!