Gabriella's 15 Month Check-Up

Gabriella had her 15 month well check last Thursday. She still hasn't reached 20 pounds...she's a little peanut. She is 19 lbs, 10 oz and 29 1/4 inches, which is between the 10th and 20th percentile for both weight and height. She has only gained 4 oz since her one year check up, but the girl eats ALL day! Her appetite has not decreased. I guess that just shows how busy she is...she burns some major calories :). Dr. Hammer said she looked perfect and of course I agree. Gabriella was kind enough to show Dr. Hammer a small example of her temper tantrums these days. She is definitely an independent, strong willed little girl. She might be small, but she has BIG ideas...ideas of what she wants and how she is going to get them. I remember Andrew having temper tantrums, but Ella's are definitely more girly....the scream, the throwing herself down, stomping the feet, she does it all....and she doesn't give up! She has begun to figure out the world doesn't revolve around her and she is NOT happy about it. She wants what she wants. It's impossible to take her out to dinner. She refuses to sit in the high chair. She stands up, looks at us, and pats her bottom (because we always tell her she needs to sit on her bottom). She does the same thing in the bathtub. She fights back with Andrew now and has started to not share. At only 15 months, she knows the word "mine". And she says it exactly like Andrew.


So that's the tough part of Gabriella...getting through the temper tantrums, her independence, and her not listening. But on the other hand, Gabriella is SO sweet. She gives the best hugs and kisses ever. All you have to do is ask and she'll put her little arms around your neck and lay her head on your shoulder....it melts my heart! When Andrew cries, she comes over and pats his back. She is super good about picking up toys and putting things in the trash. She knows exactly where her toys go and if I ask her to put them away or pick up, she does. She also puts her wrappers in the trash when she's done eating a snack. This is totally different from Andrew...it's like pulling teeth to get him to clean up and always has been. His idea of cleaning up is throwing everything in his closet. Gabriella also has the sweetest smile and laugh ever. She has this little squishy face that makes us all laugh every time! She knows the actions to Itsy Bitsy Spider now. And she definitely tries to be bigger than she is...she copies her big brother all the time.


She is growing so fast. And while it has been tough parenting her strong personality, she has brought so much joy and fun to our family. Here is a recent picture of her swimming at Grammy's house: