Check-up

It’s been a long winter. So much snow. So many delays. So many days of snow covered roads and treacherous driving. So many cars in the ditch. And today our black Hyundai Sonata became one of them. Nothing serious. I wasn’t hurt. The car wasn’t hurt. The snow pile we hit was probably hurt but for all I care, it deserves it after the winter we’ve had. I’m not bitter or anything. Just ready for spring!!!

I was driving into town to pick up MVP early from daycare so we could head up to the doctor’s office for her 18-month check-up. The back highway into town was covered in snow. Kinda weird seeing how it was not snowing and hadn’t for several days. The sun was actually out and skies were blue. But the winds were fierce causing snow to drift onto the roadway. Lots and lots of snow. And that said snow, caught my wheels wrong and sent me circling into the wrong side of the road and finally landing deep into a snow bank. Again, no one was hurt and it really wasn’t that big of a deal but did take a while before the car was dug out and ready to ride again. So we didn’t make it to the doctor’s and had to reschedule MVP’s appointment. I was bummed. I like her well-child appointments. Minus the screaming that ensues after the shots, it’s always fun to get her updated stats and nice to hear that she’s in good health (praise God, that so far all our check-ups have been positive!).

So since we missed the check-up, I wanted to take a few minutes to have my own little check-in on our 18-month old.

• Been walking since 14/15 months and now can add running to your list of activities even though in general you are still pretty klutzy. Sometimes get going too fast and don’t watch where you are going. You also have a unique walking/running style. In times when you’e really wanting to get somewhere fast, you swing your left arm like crazy. It must help you work up some momentum and looks pretty darn funny too.

• Still in size 3 diapers (but probably not for long).

• Wear size 12-18 month clothes. Some 18-month outfits are still really big.

• Size 5 shoe

• Some of the most commonly heard words coming from your mouth are: Mom, Dad, Tata (Tuffy), Nenna (Kenna), co....at (coat & hat), cracker, cookie, bar, Isaac, pass (paci), peas (please), Gigi, bye, wawa (water), bebees (babies), Ella, nyny, Elmo, elbow (these last two words sound similar to each other), baa (bath), bubbles, teeth (when you want to brush your teeth), whose (shoes), ahkey (yukey), Guke (Luke) and Abbie (for your buddy Abbie Keitges and this is probably your clearest word to date, surprised both dad and me how clearly you said it after just hearing us say Abbie’s name a couple times.)

• You do sign language for the words eat, drink, all done, please, thank you and potty. We see the sign for eat A LOT. You like to eat!

• You make happy, sad and surprised faces on command.

• See NBC commentators Brian Williams and Chris Collinsworth on TV and think they are Poppi.

• Have had one haircut from Grandpa Beek but still not enough hair for any barrettes or pigtails. Hair is light, light blond and grows longer in the back than on top. You have a nice mullet! You like baths and like to brush you hair but aren’t too fond of the hair dryer whenever Mom points it at you.

• Dad has taught you foot fire and how to get into defensive stance.

• You also do ballerina twirls and kicks.

• Love jumping on the couch cushions.

• Go to bed around 7:30/8:00 p.m. and usually wake up around 6:30/7:00 a.m. We say nighttime prayers before bed and you fold your hands, sometimes close your eyes and say “Amen” when we are done.

• Are pretty possessive of your blanky, paci and sippy cups.

• When you get upset you’ll hit – either something around you, someone or even your own head – we’re working on this : )

• You can identify several body parts including nose, eyes, head, hair, ears, fingers, toes, belly button, back, elbow and knees.

• You like to play “Ring-Around-The-Rosy” and have recently started joining in singing when it comes to the “Ashes, Ashes” part however you usually forget to “fall down.” You also usually like to include your baby doll when we play.

• Hate having your face washed or your nose wiped but man do you need it. For a little girl, you sure do have some big boogers! : )

• Say “cheese” and give a really cheesy smile whenever you see a camera.

• You love Tuffy and usually speak to him in a extra high voice and always pat your legs and say "Mirror" (Come Here) to get him to come sit by you. He never does - he's a little scared of you yet!

We’ve rescheduled your doctor’s appointment and will be going next week. It will be interesting to see how much you’ve grown since the last appointment and we’ll pray that once again you have a healthy check-up so the above list of milestones and memories can just keep growing and growing along with you. But time could slow down a little – 18 months gone by already – where does the time go?