18-month check-up

Leah had her 18-month check-up today at the Cleveland Clinic and did great as usual. She's a very healthy and happy little girl and the doctor has no concerns about her. She is still right at the 50th percentile for height, weight and head circumference, which is great since when she first came home, she was between the 10th and 25th percentile for everything. She had to get two shots and hardly cried at all. We're so proud of her!

Here she is in her little hospital gown. How cute is that?

We let our pediatrician know about our move to Shanghai, and she's going to get us in touch with a pediatrician/colleague of hers who is the CEO of an expat hospital in Shanghai, in the event we need help. But Leah doesn't need anything more until she turns 2 years in July, and we'll probably be back home around then for a visit so we can go back to our regular pediatrician.

Dentist and Doctor Visits

During the past week, Leah got poked and prodded at the dentist and the doctor. Yes, we're a little late with going to the dentist, since these days they say you should take babies in for a look-see as soon as they start getting teeth in, or by 12 months old. Well, Leah just turned 15 months old and has all her teeth in already (except for the 2nd year molars). The dentist said I was doing a great job with brushing them so far. She was happy that I found something that worked (the electric toothbrush) and that I did it anyway even if Leah didn't like it. She noticed some crowding with her teeth and said she saw orthodontics in Leah's future, but hopefully it's a little early to say for sure.

Leah also had her 15 month check-up at the doctor. Leah had to get shots, a TB skin test, and worst of all, we tried to let them draw blood for tests. The last time we tried this, they weren't able to get enough blood for all of the tests. And we never took her back because we didn't want to put her through it again. Well, since we were both there this time, we thought we might try it again. But once again it turned into a 15 minute torture session and this time they weren't able to get a single drop of blood. By the time she came out, she was all sweaty and very upset!

12 month check-up

Leah had her 12 month doctor's visit today, and she did great. The doctor was very happy with her growth and development so far. She's over 21 lbs. and 2 feet 4.5 inches, so she's right at the 50% percentile for weight and 25% percentile for height for her age, and over the 75% percentile for weight-for-length, so she's short and sturdy. Now that she's hit the 12-month, 20 lb. mark, we could technically turn her car seat around, but for safety, we will keep her rear-facing for as long as is comfortable for her. Since she is kind of short, that might be a while.

She had to get 3 shots, which is never fun, so for bonding and trust reasons, I specifically requested that the nurse bring in someone else to help hold her down this time. It was much more fun to be the one to come to her rescue when it was all over!

10 months old today and 2nd doctor visit

Leah turned 10 months old today and she had her second doctor's visit. I took her by myself downtown since John wasn't able to come. It was a huge accomplishment for me to get myself and her ready and out of the house so early. Leah did great in the car, she danced to her favorite music and babbled and eventually fell asleep for the rest of the trip. Even the terrible roads and potholes in Cleveland didn't wake her up!




I've been meaning to mention that for the last 3 car trips, Leah's been getting so excited when we play her Korean children's CD....

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