Check-ups and Chick-fil-A

Breeley - 2-year appt

Stats: 26.5 lbs, 34 in tall (50th percentile for both)

Other things I learned:

• Don't feel pressure to potty train. That's good considering Breeley is more interested in using the potty as a stool to play in the sink. According to the pediatrician, parents used to train earlier because of cloth diapers and poorer quality disposable diapers. It's more of a focus in the 2-year-old room at daycare, which Breeley will be switching to in June, so maybe we'll push it more then.
• Breeley is done teething for a while! Next up, 6-year molars. That's great news except that I tend to blame all bad behavior on teething, so I guess I'll have to find another scape goat. Oh yeah, and it's time for the dentist.
• She's right on track with language development. Two words together - check. 20-50 words in vocab - check. Mommy understands at least half of what she says - check. Parents tend to make comparisons to other children and then think their child is behind - check. Our bad. She's fine.
• Goodbye infant Tylenol. Besides Claritin, it is very rare for Breeley to need any meds, but apparently we can give her 1/2 doses of regular meds now.
• Hello Flintstones. Since gummy vitamins don't contain iron, which she needs, I'll be cutting Flintstones vitamins in 1/2 for a daily dose. She likes them, but Brian ate one and said, "I can't believe I used to want these as a kid."

Zack - 2-month appt

Stats: 15 lbs 6 oz (97th percentile), 24 in long (90th percentile)

• No worries about weight. Breastfed babies rarely overeat. He's just a big baby, but doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a fat kid. He's very healthy.
• His belly button is not dirty. Apparently the iron from the umbilical cord actually stains the skin, making it look black.
• He could be teething, but his drooling is likely caused because he's learning to control his tongue and it's thrusting forward, which is an advanced skill at his age. 
• He was responding to the pediatrician's voice and smiling. Again, advanced, because normally they only do this for parents or family members at this age.

I was worried about Breeley's reaction to Zack getting three shots. Luckily, she was engrossed in a magazine and barely noticed. I just told her that we "surprised" Zack but he was fine. She doesn't have to get any shots until her 4-year appt and I'm sure she'll figure it out by then! Zack goes back at 4-months for more shots. Breeley goes back for a check-up at 3-years. For now, both kids are healthy and happy!

I treated Breeley to Chick-fil-A because she was so well-behaved at the appt. I was impressed with the great service there! Very kid and mom-with-two-kids friendly! They carried my tray to the table, wiped down a booth for me, and got a placemat for Breeley. I even liked that they don't allow food or drinks in the play area, which makes it much cleaner than other places.

Breeley had fun! I had to help her up the "steps" but then she crawled through the tunnels herself. She seemed a little apprehensive but excited for the independence. She's getting to be such a big girl!

Timeout!

Breeley has been in timeout a total of 5 times, three times for not listening and twice for being mean to Reesey. Apparently it has made quite an impression.

Yesterday, as we rushed to get out the door, Breeley suddenly started whining/crying and said, "Ba boo. No." (Translation: bad book) It looked like she had stubbed her toe on a book that was laying on the floor. She then took the book to a certain spot in the foyer. She pointed at it and again said, "No boo" and a few other words I didn't understand. (The "boo" is pronounced like "book" without the "k." She often leaves off the last letter or the first letter in her pronunciation of words.) I laughed as I realized she'd taken the book to timeout!

It also dawned on me that the TV remote had been in timeout--for unknown reasons--the day before. I'd looked for it and found it in her timeout spot. (She had known exactly where it was when I asked her to get it.) This morning she put a plastic egg in timeout after she fell on it! The egg's "talking to" included a "Beebee ow," which is her way of saying she got hurt.

The most recent timeout for Breeley was for knocking Reesey off the ottoman on purpose. I'd explained that we can't be mean and hurt Reesey, that is a bad thing to do. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that if she gets in trouble for hurting Reesey, books and plastic eggs should get in trouble for hurting her! (I wonder if she feels as bad for putting them in timeout as we do for putting her there? I doubt it since they don't cry and make pitiful faces the whole time!) Considering she is constantly falling or otherwise hurting herself, I wonder what will be in timeout next?!

"No, Deedee!"

Apparently Breeley speaks in paragraphs when it comes to being bossy or mad at Reesey. As usual, Reesey ran into Breeley's room this morning to greet her and jump all over her. Here's what Breeley had to say (while pointing her finger):

"No, Deedee! Ba! Ge dow! Beebee ow. Ba! No, Deedee."

Translation: No, Reesey! Bad! Get down! Breeley ow. Bad! No, Reesey.

I thought the "Breeley ow" was especially clever. I'd never heard her use this phrase but it was a good way to describe being "hurt" when Reesey's nails scratched her.

Breeley loves Reesey and plays with her a lot. (Lately we've had to keep her from playing too rough and tormenting Reesey, but they really do love each other.) However, Breeley especially LOVES being bossy and scolding Reesey. Whenever we tell Reesey to hush or get down or stop something, Breeley continues to tell her for the next 5 minutes, while making a stern face and pointing her finger at Reesey the whole time. It's hilarious! Of course, we constantly have to tell her to be nice to Reesey and "that's enough," but in the background we're laughing.

At least Breeley is using her words!