Jack - 15 Months

We had our 15 months check-up at Dr. Havlik's today.  We left Molly at school so I didn't have to wrangle both kids.  (James picked her up and they met us at home).

Here are Jack's stats:
Weight: 24.9 lbs (51st percentile)
Height: 33.75 inches (98th percentile)
Head Size: 47.5 cm (61st percentile)

2 immunizations

His weight has been steadily dropping in percentile while his height has remained about the same (though he did measure a little taller today than normal).  I expressed concern that he seems to skinny.  Doctor Havlik 1) said that he thinks he's really fine and that kids often taper off until about 18 months and then seem to pick back up again and 2) said he doesn't think little kids really burn enough calories that the super active ones are just losing weight, and 3) gave me a handout on "power packing" to increase Jack's calorie intake.  In reading the handout, we are going to need to give Jack more butter, milk, bread. cheese, beans, eggs, peanut butter, meat, mayo, yogurt, etc.  Unfortunately everything on that list falls mostly into two categories - things Jack eats all the time OR things Jack won't eat.  Oh well.  We'll keep trying. (Maybe I just need to stop comparing him to Quinn!)

He passed all the developmental questions.  He can play with a ball, pick up things you ask him to, understand directions, feed himself finger foods, wave hello or bye-bye, and a few other things.

The things we need to work on are feeding himself with a fork or spoon and no more bottles (he only takes one at night and sometimes before his nap, but at 15 months he should be off the bottle).

The only concern I had is that I feel like Jack doesn't talk enough.  Dr. Havlik just said we need to read more (if the kid would sit still long enough) and try to find more one-on-one time just talking to him.  These are things we probably should do more of.  Jack is just so content to play, wander, and explore, that we probably don't talk to him enough (not that we don't talk to him . . . ).

Dr. Havlik game me this cool chart called the "Denver II" which shows child development progressions from age 0-6.  It's interesting.  Jack is already far above his age level in Gross Motor Skills, but right on par with the other categories - Personal/Social, Fine Motor, and Language.  Molly, on the other hand, is at about a 4 year old level on Language and Personal/Social, is on par with Fine Motor, but perhaps a little behind (or just a bit of a clod) on the Gross Motor.

Jack was very cooperative during his appointment and only cried and squirmed when he got his shots.  He was sad, mad, said, "owie," tore off the bandaids, and fought me to get his clothes back on, but otherwise was really good!  He also blew kisses to all the receptionists.