15 Months Old!
The twins went in for their 15 month check-up last week, 2 days after their 15 months (but who’s counting?). I’m feeling so-so about it when I really should be happy. Why is it I just can’t seem to be satisfied? Maybe it’s because I hate being reminded that my little girl is behind developmentally. Maybe it’s because she puked on me during the visit when she got SO upset from the doctor looking in her ears. Maybe I’m just sick of it all and waiting for someone to magically say, “Ellisa is perfectly normal. Nothing is wrong with her. She’s a normal little girl.” Am I dreaming?
I think the main reason I’m so-so about everything is because I was hoping that the last few months would prove that I didn’t need to treat Ellisa different from her brother where food (or development) is concerned. I truly thought she would be able to eat and drink like a regular toddler her age and still gain weight. But it’s obvious I need to go back to regulating her PediaCrap and adding oils and butter to EVERYTHING she eats for extra calories. Great, back to this. Call me lazy. Call me hopeful. Call me shot down.
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Now that we’re on the subject of Ellisa, let’s talk about all the wonderful things I’ve gotten the pleasure of seeing her do the past three months (this is why I should be happy). Ellisa started walking! Ellisa started signing (more and again)! Ellisa has truly grown an impressive vocabulary; head, ears, eye, nose, tongue, teeth, belly button, boobie (Hudson’s actually-which is really cute because she loves pointing it out), hands, and feet. And that’s just body parts. She makes monkey and bee sounds, although not always on command. She mimics like crazy and finally started getting into books. It’s super cute how she sits in my lap to be read to. She’s not really into the book itself yet, but instead into turning pages and pointing to the same pictures over and over and over and over. Did I mention she likes to point to the same pictures over and over? She likes to drink when her brother does and she’ll eat almost anything, just not a lot of it. And boy, can that girl dance! She loves music so much just saying the word gets her swaying. She’s pure delight.
My concerns with her are weight, head growth, and cognitive development. I really shouldn’t be as her weight is at least on the charts (something we’ve battled since the beginning) and her head growth seems to be right on her curve–still 2 standard deviations below, <2%. I keep hoping it will slowly catch up to a normal size and our lives will be back on track by her 3rd birthday. I’m finally coming out of denial and realizing this just isn’t going to happen. I pray it doesn’t affect her IQ–my biggest concern-her cognitive development. For example, she’s not putting things in boxes, stacking blocks, trying to figure out how things work, etc…Wait and see I guess. I think it’s going to happen soon, as Ellisa keeps proving to me that she’s going to do EVERYTHING her brother does, just a few months behind. I bet she’s wondering when I’m going to come to terms with this.
Ellisa
Weight: 19.6 lbs, 7% (13% down from 12 months)
Height: 29.25″, 10% (5% up from 12 months)
Head Circumference: 42.4 cm, >2% (same)
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Hudson is doing great–something I’ve known for a long time and haven’t worried one bit about. He’s amazing and has progressed like any other normal preemie would. He’s right on track developmentally for his corrected age (I actually think he’s on target for his age too-I wonder about the accuracy of his developmental assessment), and as for physical growth, he couldn’t be better. Here’s some of the things Hudson has started doing these past 3 months; signing (more and again), playing with cars and saying “vroom”, pointing to pictures in books, putting things in things (rocks in Great Grandma Nuss’s ashtray, blocks in standing yoga mats), figuring out how things work (starting his popper, working the fan, ipad, stereo, etc…), running, throwing balls, waving, and understanding tons of words and commands. My favorite thing is watching his brain work. It’s crazy but you can really see him thinking things through. I absolutely love it as he makes the cutest most innocent face ever. He isn’t speaking any words yet, neither is Ellisa, but I’m not the slightest bit concerned. It will come.
Hudson
Weight: 23.1 lbs, 30% (10% down from 12 months)
Height: 31.25″, 50% (same)
Head Circumference: 47.6 cm, 60% (10% up from 12 months)
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What have we been doing the last 3 months as a family? With the weather and time change, we’ve been staying inside a lot, however we’ve also made some new friends and we try going to 1-2 play dates a week with them to stay active and social. Walks in the afternoon when it’s warmest are frequent, and going shopping for groceries and running errands is finally becoming fun for everyone.
I feel like my life is getting back in control as things seem easier day by day. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s actually easier or if I’m FINALLY getting used to their routine. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still demanding, and I’m exhausted by the end of the day, but having twins that can feed themselves, walk to you when you call them, sleep through the night, some what communicate and play for more than 2 minutes at a time, makes a world of difference. I can check my email and drink some coffee while they play at my feet for a full 10 minutes some mornings! I’m actually finding time to do a little work (very little work), and projects at home too. Now if I can just find time to cook my husband dinner and clean the house, I’ll be back on track. This too will come.
Overall, the last three months have been a blast. The peanuts are getting to be so much fun and watching them interact with each other is priceless. This age is great! Yes, true parenting is finally beginning, with discipline and education taking top priority. It’s not always easy but a necessity. I guess with hard work comes great rewards.
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- Daddy and His Peanuts
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- Hudson Playing in Leaves
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- Ellisa Pointing at EVERYTHING
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- Hudson Stopping to Smell the Flowers
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- Daddy and Ellisa
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- Purma Twins at 15 Months
pforpeanuts 
I should add here that Ellisa’s vocabulary is only comprehensive at this point. Unfortunately she hasn’t said her first word yet. I might have mislead some of you into thinking she was saying all those words.
I understand why you want to focus on the things Elissa has not done yet. It is probably more important to remember all the things they said she might not ever do that she has already started doing. Even I remember it was a substantial list of worries and she has knocked most of them out by now. She is very alert. Hang in there! No matter what any profession says, kids develop on their own time, but they all catch up to each other eventually.
You all are amazing!
Just for the record, my kids aren’t doing half the things you listed for Ellisa! I think sometimes its just hard with twins because we naturally compare the two.
Glad to hear things are getting somewhat easier. I feel the same way. And Hudson is definitely on par with his actual age – he’s taller than Baylor!
We need to see each other soon.
Hang in there, Kenz! You’re doing an amazing job!