18 Month Check Up & Preschool Hunt

On Tuesday, Luke went to the doctor for his 18 month check-up....yes, that's right....he's REALLY 18 months....officially on June 21st. While everyone was celebrating the official beginning to summer, we were celebrating the 18 month milestone!

The doctor's appointment went great - we saw Dr. Bunneman, the same doctor that we saw last time. I really like him because he thoroughly answers my questions and doesn't sugar coat anything. My personality needs someone to tell me EXACTLY like it is - no bouncing around the issues, just tell me....and, boy did he ever!!!

First of all, he saw Luke's paci and he asked, "Is that just something you brought for comfort or does he have that all the time?" Uh-oh! CAUGHT! I shyly grinned and said, "He has it most of the time." The doctor immediately told me to begin the process of getting rid of it. He said that after 18 months, the paci begins to affect the formation of their teeth as well as their speech. He said that pacis result in speech therapy in pre-K and Kindergarten....oh my....I don't want that. So....on Tuesday, we started the process of freeing Luke from the "numi"....according to the doctor, we should limit it to the crib and the car for about a month and then take it for good. On Wednesday, we tried this - he did not have his paci except for naps, bedtime, and car trips. He asked for it a few times, but, for the most part, he did really well. Each day has gotten better and better. We have been able to be consistent with our plan for 4 days now....I'm very proud of myself for not giving in and very proud of Luke for being a "big boy." It is amazing how much Luke is talking now without his paci. I have some ideas written down for a post that includes all of the words that he is saying-I'm trying to keep an ongoing list but he seems to say a new word everyday. :)

Back to the doctor's visit-the second big topic that the doctor and I talked about was Luke's teeth brushing. I told the doctor that Luke likes to have a cup of milk right before he goes to bed - while we are rocking. He asked me, "So, you give him milk after he brushes his teeth?" I, once again, shyly grinned...."ummm....yes." Oh no! Here comes the 2nd lecture.....he told me ABSOLUTELY NOT! He said to brush his teeth and then the only thing I could offer him was water. He said, "Ideally, he will not need anything comforting to go to bed. You should be able to put him in his crib and he fall asleep on his own." Wow! I feel like I'm a pretty good mommy, but I'm definitely not on target in that area. Luke is addicted to the rocking chair, his paci, and a cup at night time. Thank goodness....he has handled the water in his cup instead of the milk quite well. He is actually sleeping really good lately. He sleeps from approximately 8:30-9:00pm to 7:30-8:00am without me holding him and in his crib. So....to the doc....we will compromise on this one - I'm going to keep rocking him but I will follow the water advice for the sake of Luke's teeth.

On to the next Doctor topic - I noticed on the 18 month checklist that the toddlers should be drinking from a regular cup all by themselves. This worried me because I haven't begun trying this with Luke yet at meal times. Sometimes I will let him try it outside for fun....but, mealtimes and playtimes, a sippy cup is used. I guess I have another project. I also told the doctor that, even though Luke is capable of feeding himself with a fork and a spoon, often times, he requests that I feed him instead. Surprisingly, the doctor wasn't too concerned about this - he said, "Continue to offer the utensils to him and he will eventually gain that desire." Thank goodness! :)

Basically....other than leaving the doctor with a "To-Do" list including - stop the night time milk, stop the paci, and start the regular cup, everything was great. Luke weighs 21 pounds, 4 ounces and is 29 1/2 inches long. He gained about a pound and a half and grew a 1/2 inch. He is still "well-proportioned, but small."

I will continue to keep you posted on my projects. :)

Next on the agenda - a preschool hunt. I decided to enroll Luke in the Shady Grove United Methodist 2 day a week (8:30-12:00) preschool program beginning in September. I visited three preschools - Mt. Zion Wesleyan Church Footsteps, Fair Grove United Methodist Kingdom Kids and then Shady Grove was my last visit. I looked for a few things: #1 - education level of the teachers, #2-teacher/student ratio, and #3-clean, safe, spacious facilities. Shady Grove ranked higher in all three areas. All of their teachers are Smart Start certified, but most of them have a college degree and have worked in the Davidson County school system before....matter of fact, I knew several of them from teaching at Wallburg. The Shady Grove facilities are much newer, bigger, and had more to offer Luke as far as educational toys and games. Luke will be in a class with 6 toddlers - age ranging from 18 months to 2 1/2 - with 2 ADULTS! YES, that's right - Shady Grove has a teacher and an assistant for each class. I also was attracted to Shady Grove's program because they invite some outside programs to come in and work with the kids - there is a special reading program, music program, and art program that comes to the preschool to work with the kids. My objective for sending Luke to a preschool was not to have someone "babysit" him but to have someone challenge him and work with him developmentally. I feel confident that is what he will get at Shady Grove.

One more positive piece of Shady Grove - as an administrator, I often times am one of the first people that a new family will meet when coming to Fair Grove. I take this responsibility very seriously and always make sure that I present myself in a professional, organized manner. I looked for these same qualities as I spoke with the directors of each child care program. Some directors were more organized and professional than others and Shady Grove's director was excellent - she responded to me quickly, professionally, and with up to date detailed information. With that type of leadership, the preschool program will be a success!

Here are some pictures to go along with this LONG post....these are actually a few pictures I took about 2 weeks ago....I'm telling you, I am so behind on picture posting! :)

The first few pictures were taken at the mall...Landis was shopping for some shorts so Luke and I tagged along. Luke enjoyed playing in the dressing room...

Now....these two have a special story....do you have any guesses what Luke might be doing in this picture???? Keep guessing!!!

Did you figure it out? If you said, "Luke is taking a #2", you are correct! Luke is very shy about doing his business....even at home, he goes and hides (usually in his tunnel) to do his #2. Because of this, I'm thinking potty training might be a little easier. I think he hides not only because of the shyness but because he hates to have his diaper changed and he thinks if he hides that I want find him to change it. I guess he doesn't realize that I could "sniff him out." :)

The next few pictures were taken on a rainy day when I was still working....when it rains, I try to find super fun things to do inside....one of the games we play includes lining up different pillows in the hall and running across them like an obstacle course. I do it and then Luke tries it....here he is trying to navigate the pillows.





And...now some silly faces from dinner....Luke is full of personality and the personality seems to explode at dinner time....here he is being silly...


Did you see that? He is stuffing crackers down the straps of the high chair! Cleaning up sure is fun!





Peek-a-book behind the cracker!

Luke received a medal at gymnastics a few weeks ago....here are a few pictures of him playing with it...he didn't want to wear it, he wanted Mickey and George to wear it....in the first picture he is giving them a hug with the medal on.





That's all for now....have a great weekend.

Please remember - if you have not visited my blog in awhile, make sure you check some previous posts...now that I have some extra time on my hands, I am posting every 2 to 3 days in order to journal our fun summer and some other random thoughts that I have been writing down, but have not officially recorded....the post right after this one has some super cute video....so, don't miss out! :) (Did that sound like an advertisement?? LOL....I'm just a little crazy!)

Toddy