Our little guy

Here is an update on Fletcher (sorry this is so.. long, I guess I had a lot on my mind tonight : )


Fletch went to see his pediatrician today for his 18 month old check up, although he won't be 18 months for another two more weeks. We were pretty surprised to learn that he only weighs 20.4 pounds! Not much of an increase since his last visit at 12 months. He has grown in his height and head circumference but hardly at all in weight. I'm assuming this is because he's just so extremely active along with the fact that he has had his share of colds lately which has caused him to not have much of an appetite. The Dr. wasn't the least bit concerned though which was good. He said he's a very healthy boy (besides the runny nose and cough he is trying to get over right now). He's adding some teeth to the four that he already has so finally at 1 1/2 maybe he'll get a set of teeth in that mouth of his! Don't let this photo fool you, he absolutely hates having his teeth brushed. He goes to his drawer in the bathroom and puts toothpaste on his toothbrush and brushes his own teeth several times a day, but when it's time for mommy or daddy to brush them, let the screaming begin! It's not our favorite time of the day around our house. His Dr. also suggested that maybe we get him a helmet after asking about his skinned up knees and Josh telling him "oh, he loves to ride skateboards". The Dr. thought it may be a good idea to put a helmet on that little head of his.

Fletcher still LOVES to dance. It's probably his absolutely favorite thing of all. It's a natural reaction for him to dance as soon as he hears music. He's also seen many times each day walking around the house with a ukulele dancing and making "music". The kids got a mini drum set for Valentine's day that he loves to sit at and drum away! The boy just loves music! I am thinking of taking him to the Music Together classes that I took both Colton and Gracie to when they were young. I stopped going when Fletch was an infant just because our schedules became so over booked, but I really think that he would enjoy this class and it would be a special time for Fletch and I to spend together. I'm a little resistant just because I feel like we do so many extra activities that take time away from school, but I think the sacrifice we will have to make will be worth it, at least for now. It will just mean that we'll have to do school a few hours later that day. Besides music, he's finally starting to get interested in reading books. In the past, he hasn't had any interest at all sitting still for me to get through even two pages of a book. Now, if I catch him at the right time, he'll sit still for a story but particular likes the flap books where he can be involved in opening up the flaps. His favorite story right now is "Where Is My Frog", by Mercer Mayer. As you read it, you are looking for his frog and when he opens up the flap to look for frog, he says "no....." when it's not frog that he sees inside the flap. It's so cute! I just ordered him some more flap books from amazon.com to put in his Easter basket so hopefully this will get him even more excited about reading!

As far as eating goes, I have always considered him a pretty good eater, but now I'm wondering if he really is. I thought for sure he'd at least put on a pound or two in six months. He also will only drink maybe a few sips of milk a day so I think this has made somewhat of an impact on his weight. We had to limit Colton's milk consumption as a toddler because he would drink 27 ounces a milk each day (3 large sippy cups full) and would ask for more but that was his daily limit. We compared Colton's 18 month size to Fletch and they are about the same in height but Colton weighed 24 pounds at 18 months! We always imagined that because Fletch was our "big baby" born weighing 7lbs. 13 ozs, a full pound heavier than both Colton and Gracie at birth, that he would continue his trend and be the biggest kid in the family. I guess that's not how it works though. Oh well, I'm not too terribly worried about it since the Dr. said he's fine, but I think I will keep a better eye on how much he's really eating and just how much is getting thrown on the floor ; )

Fletch is a pretty good sleeper. He usually goes to sleep with no problem at all (which I love and am so very proud of) and wakes up around 6 or 6:30 and comes in bed with us to sleep until 7 or 7:30. I'm nervous what will happen when he weans because for now, he nurses himself back to sleep. When that option isn't there anymore will he stay awake at 6 am??? Please God no! Let me just say, I am not a morning person! He may train me to be one though : ) I have been saying for years now that my life would be easier if I would just wake up earlier. I always wake up when the kids basically force me to but I think if I had a head start on them, my mornings would get off to such a better start. I just can't seem to make myself do it though, so maybe Fletch will! Lately due to his runny nose, I think it's been harder for him to sleep because he's been waking us up around 2:00 every morning. This is so hard because we tend to get our deepest sleep in the early morning hours so with that interruption, I really.. haven't been wanting to get up in the morning. I know that this is a phase that will soon pass so I try and think of how lucky I am to have his sweet little self to snuggle with at night when all is calm and quiet.