18 Months

Yesterday I took off work early to take Jaxson to the doctor for his 18 month well-child checkup. It's crazy to think he's already a year and a half old... and even crazier to think he's only 6 months away from being TWO! Wow! I remember Jayden turning two (not that it was that long ago) and it seemed like it took him longer to get to two years old than it's taking Jaxson. Just more proof that the more children you have and the busier your life gets, the faster time seems to just pass right by you.

Anyway, the appointment went pretty well. Jax has been sick lately so going to the doctor was actually good timing. He's been constipated because Nana had to give him some regular milk a couple times last week until we could make it to the grocery store (Jax is lactose sensitive and drinks primarily almond milk---sometimes soy on occasion), but he's also had no interest in eating, he threw up from coughing & gagging so hard on Monday night & he was starting to run a fever. He's been super cranky and tired--- and it turns out that he has an ear infection in his right ear so now he's on Amoxicillin. I was weary to put him on the Amoxicillin as Jayden has an allergy so I figured Jax might too, but so far he's fine so I guess we will see how it goes.

He's still a small little guy, but his doctor isn't concerned at all since he's growing along his curve just fine. Here are his 18 month stats:

Weight: 24 pounds, 2 ounces (25%)
Length: 32.5 inches (25%)
Head circumference: 19 in. (25%)

He's a growing little boy for sure and according to the sheet I was given at his appointment, he's meeting his "milestones" or surpassing them with flying colors. One thing I am truly amazed at is his vocabulary... he LOVES to read and wants me to read books to him every night and so now he's repeating the words from his books. I'm proud of my smart little cookie. :)

Next steps: Phase out the bottle & binky completely!! We've gotten him down to just a bottle before bed and sippy cups during the day, but I want to get it out of the way completely. I have a feeling the binky is going to take us a while though... that thing is like his lifeline! I never had this problem with Jayden so this is all new territory for me.

Also, while we were there at the doctor's office the boys and I got our flu shots. I brought Jayden with me because I had to talk to the doctor about Jayden's biting & behavior (all of which she said is normal for a kid this age but frustrating for the parents) so we all got them done while we were there. The kids both screamed bloody murder as usual... no wonder they hate coming to the doctor!! They always get shots when we are there! Hopefully this will help keep the flu out of our house especially this season as I've heard that this is going to be the worst & coldest winter we've had in 50 years (boy, I sure hope they are wrong!!) and so sickness is going to run amok... just in time for Owen to be born! Yay for having winter babies, lol. Ok, so technically Jayden is a fall baby since his birthday is before December 21st, but still... December is winter.

Last, but not least, we are getting pictures this weekend so look for some new updated shots of Jaxson at 18 months old!! He gets to show off his newly trimmed hair (he got his first hair "trim" on Sunday since he had some shag growing over his ears and in the back---the length on top is still the same though). He's getting so big!