We took Ellen in for her 2 year checkup this past week. Everything looks good from a development standpoint. Ellen was putting on a show for the doctor: hopping, galloping, speaking in sentences, and singing ring around the rosy. She was very good, and let the doctor check in her ears, listen to her chest and back, and check her eyes. We did have a problem prying open her mouth to check inside though, but it was a quick check. The tubes are still in place and doing what they are supposed to be doing. No shots were required this time around. We got verification that her cold was just a cold. She has already stopped having the really running nose, but she still is congested. Here are her vital stats.
Weight: 27#4oz (65%)
Height: 33.75in (40%)
Head: 18.75in (30%)
At 2 years, Ellen's under 1 year cousin already out weighs her by about a pound, and is almost caught up to her in height.
However, we aren't worried. When I asked what milestones we should be looking for in the next year, the doctor told us that Ellen has already met almost all of them.
Potty training may be just around the corner too. On Monday night (February 24, 2003) Ellen pee'd in the big toilet. She had seen one of Jada's friends 3 year old daughter do it, and we have been trying to see if she would do it before bath times. This time, she actually went. It was actually exciting. We're not forcing her into potty training just yet though since most kids regress when a baby is around anyway. The thing we're still trying to do is get her to sleep in her big girl bed.
We say this all the time, but Ellen is just getting cuter by the day. In addition to her growing sentences and comprehension skill set, she has learned and can sing 3 songs: "Ring Around the Rosy", "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star", and some of the alphabet song. She can also "read" her Goodnight Moon book to some extent. We're just so proud of her.
Of course, the concern is how she'll handle it if we are suddenly gone when she wakes up in the morning if the baby decides that it is time in the middle of the night. I think we're taking the "She'll make it through some how" approach. I'm mostly worried about how her sleep is going to be disrupted with the new baby waking up every 2 hours for food, but again, the best we can do is wait and see. The real pain will be when we leave her alone in her own room for the first time. Then the crying will begin.
That's all for now.
Journal Entry: March 2, 2003
Ring around the rosey.