Harper's 1 Year Check-Up

Today we had Harper's 1 year check-up with Dr. Hulsen - better late than never. I always make a list of questions so I don't forget the topics I want to discuss. This was my longest list ever - 13 questions! Delaney was a textbook baby (not perfect - she just followed all the norms of development) and Harper is so not a textbook child! I know, I know - shame on me for comparing the two.


Here are some concerns I had:


1. Milk - Dr. H says that for Harper, getting her to drink milk is more important than getting rid of the bottle. This week we are to give her milk in her bottle (breaking a rule of mine) so that she gets used to the taste and drinks it willingly. Next week we are to take away the bottles and give her only milk in a cup to drink, not even water. Dr. H says that she will drink milk when she is given no other options and she will not dehydrate herself that day. Let's hope Harper goes along with the plan! She's supposed to have 16 - 24 oz of whole milk a day.


2. Sleep - Harper is in bed up to 12 hours a night and has only been waking up once at night. We still give her a bottle, although we are slowly reducing the number or ounces. Dr. H says we are on the right track and she is not concerned, especially considering that Harper has had neverending teething and 3 sinus infections in the past months and that she goes to sleep without a bottle for naps and at night. Another question I had was if we should go in and give her her paci at night (I already knew the answer to this). She literally laughed out loud and said, "Jen, right now Harper is digging through your purse to find her paci. She is playing you. If she were 4 months old and helpless, I'd say go in. Considering the fact that she starts the night with 7 pacis in her bed and throws them out one by one, I'd say you are enabling her."


OK, got it, Tough Love. If we can't handle tough love now, how on Earth are we going to do it when they're 13 and really need it??


Enough with my concerns, here are some highlights from the appointment:


Harper has 5 words that she says regularly (Mama, Dada, hot, shoe, and tickle - she can also sign "more") and she only needs to know 1 word to be on track developmentally.


She is way ahead of the game as far as both fine and gross motor skills go. She can do stairs, stack blocks, do shape sorters, nesting cups, etc. Her walking on her toes is not a problem right now.


Harper loves to imitate. Two of my favorite things she does are "love" her baby by holding it tight and rocking back and forth and pretending to wash and dry her hands. She rubs her hands together every time she sees me wash mine or put hand sanitizer on. Oh yeah, she also likes to try to put on her own shoes. I think she's adorable!


Her stats are:
Weight 24.8 lbs (92%)
Height 30 1/4 inches (80%)
Head Circ. 18 1/2 inches (85%)
Her height and weight are becoming more proportionate.


All-in-all, Dr. Hulsen said Harper is a beautiful girl and is doing great! I'm so proud of her!


Here are a few pics of her on her actual birthday:

She got to have a cinnamon roll for her b-day breakfast.

A Cheesy smile

Two phones because she was expecting lots of calls from people wishing her a happy birthday.