Checked Up and Out

Dan, Finley, and I went to Dr. P's office today for Finley's 15 month check up. I remember a year ago that it felt like we were going every other week, but now with our visits 3 months apart--it feels like forever since we'd been there.

Quick stats: Finley grew two inches (from 31 to 33 inches) and gained about 1.5 lbs (from 21 lbs 14 oz to 23 lbs 5 oz). This puts him in the minuscule 33rd percentile for weight and the towering 88th for height. Wow! Long and lean (just like his parents, Dr. P remarked).

After a quick physical exam, we talked about what Finley's been up to, what he eats, how he sleeps, etc. Seems like he's doing nearly all the toddler things he's supposed to...except for the talking part. He's babbling up a storm, narrating his activities, getting our attention, trying to express his needs, etc. But apparently 15 month old tykes are supposed to have 4 to 6 words! Oops. He sometimes says things that closely resemble words (see posting below), but nothing that his by-the-book parents are calling words. Dr. P said it wasn't uncommon but hopefully a word explosion is just around the corner :) He did note that Finley seems pretty verbal, just in the short time he was with us, so that's good! We did promise to make an appointment with an audiologist just to make sure Finley's ears are in working order (which we are 99.9% sure they are since he can follow directions and such).

Before leaving the room, Dr. P said what a pleasure it was to have a cheerful, cooperative 15 month old in for a check up. Yeah, Finley! Apparently, many of his same-aged peers can be quite unsettled by the exam and usually end up in tears. Nice to know Finley's sunny disposition can make someone else's day besides ours.

Oh and while checking his ears, Dr. P said it looks as though Finley is at the end of an ear infection. His first. We missed it. But it would explain his terribly rough night's sleep earlier in the week. Our bad, sorry little guy. Thanks for taking it like a man, you made your dad proud.