18 month checkup

Do I look frazzled?

... Because Ellie didn't take a nap today. Not even a little bit. Not even at all. She was no where ready to go down for her nap around 1, when she normally does. And she was still running around like a wild thing when Taylor dropped Corinne for a bit this afternoon. Of course, they had a grand time and played and played and played, but it means I've been paying for it this evening. No nap = whiny Ellie. She'll be going to bed early tonight.

But other than the general sleep deprived crankiness, Ellie was just plain adorable today. She said or did several funny things, as is customary lately. She is saying many more sentences lately, including things like "Where'd it go?" and "That's a shoe." as well as long babbly strings of things that we're pretty sure she intends to have meaning, but don't. One of the cute things Ellie did today was to run up to Corinne and stop right in front of her face and say, "Hi Corinne!" She enunciated it very well and it was pretty cute. She did it several times and, thankfully, Corinne didn't seem to mind. Also in the lineup of cute things Ellie said today was "shadow" while she pointed to her shadow on the wall at the doctor's office. It's amazing how many words she seems to know that we don't realize.

Speaking of the doctor's office, Ellie had her 18 month appointment today. She is doing very well and is above average in everything, and perfectly proportioned, according to Doctor Benda. I learned today, though, that Ellie is remembering things. Not just routine things that happen every day, but things like her last doctor appointment. 5 shots. Not a nice memory. So when we reached the door to the doctor office, she wouldn't go in. When I carried her in, she was fine until we talked to the lady at the window. Then there were tears. The tears were soon abated by the slide and other toys in the waiting room. She had lots of fun sliding and playing with blocks and cars until we were called back. As soon as she saw Dr. Benda's nurse (who administers the shots) she started crying uncontrollably. She did NOT want to be there! Now, this is the first time we've seen anything like this from her at the doctors. Usually it is no problem at all! But Dr. Benda said she is probably remembering things much better now, so he's not surprised she responded that way. Poor girl! The good news is that she didn't have to get any shots today and we don't go back for 6 months. So hopefully she'll remember this visit as a good one! Here are her stats:

height: 2 ft 9 inches (75th percentile)
weight: 25 lbs 4 oz (65th percentile)
head circumference: 18.5 inches (65th percentile)

So she's doing well! After the doctor appointment we headed to Walmart, since we only had time for one stop before naptime. If I'd known she wasn't going to take a nap I would have gotten the rest of my shopping done, too! Oh well - tomorrow then. But while we were at Walmart we got Ellie a new diaper bag. Here it is!

Yep, it's a little pink backpack just for Ellie! We're down to carrying a couple diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes and leaving the big diaper bag in the car. So it's time for a little bag! Friends of ours in Iowa had their son carrying his stuff in a little backpack and I've always thought that was a brilliant idea. So we're going to try it. So far Ellie LOVES her backpack and she wore it around the house a good part of the afternoon. I think it's adorable. And I love that it's pink. (Never thought I'd hear myself say THAT!!)

All right... the wee one is in bed asleep now, so I'm going to go spend some time with Leif. It's been a long day and I need some relaxing! Goodnight!