6 Month Well Baby Check Up

I took the boys to the Health Department today for their 6 month well baby check up. (I just found out recently that they do those for free - and since Mike and I haven't been employed since June and currently have no health insurance yet, this was perfect for us). It was definitely an experience - one that took 2 1/2 hours, but at least I got them weighed everything else checked out! The nurses were a hoot and everyone oohed and aahed over the boys that most of our time there was spent with nurses coming in and out to look at the boys.

The boys are doing great and we are very pleased with the "report". Here are their stats:
MICHAEL:
Weight: 14.7 ounces
Height: 24.5 inches
Head Circumference: 17 inches

JEREMIAH:
Weight: 14.1 ounces
Height: 24 inches
Head Circumference: 17.5 inches
The boys have finally made it to the percentile charts! This is the first doctor's appointment that they have received a percentile - they are both in the 5th percentile for both their heights and weights. The doctor assured me that they are right on target with their weight gain b/c it is proportionate to their height! So, we feel a lot better about that now.

Once we move to Montgomery (which is NEXT WEEKEND!!) I have a lot of work to do with the boys. Here are some goals that I have to accomplish within the next few weeks - months:
- Breastfeed them four times a day instead of 5.
- Put them to bed earlier then 8
- Start them on solids
- Introduce them to a sippy cup
- Separate them into their own cribs (They are getting too long for one crib. This one makes me sad)
- Give them alone time in the pack-n-play everyday
- Practice signing with them (once we really get going good on solids)

I am very excited that I get to stay home with the boys, so I will have a lot of time to work on these things (and a lot more).

The boys are so much fun and everyday they just get cuter - I can't stand it! Mike and I are so excited to raise and train these boys to be Godly young men! We have already begun to train them on a few issues that have prevailed over the past few weeks. My mom has been a lot of help on helping us see that it begins so early and that, even though they may not understand now, with consistency they will catch on. Here are a few things that we have been doing:

-The boys can be wiggle worms when it comes to changing them. They want to roll over and see what is around them. That is great 95% of the time, but when it is time for changing diapers and clothes it is not play time. So when they do that we place our hand on his stomach and bring him back and say "Stay Still" or "It's not play time" in a serious tone. Sometimes I really think it has already worked, but I don't know - But I do know that if we keep doing it then he will catch on and know that changing time is not play time.

- Also, Jeremiah has become a little Thumb Sucker! It is so stinkin' adorable! But that is one habit I would like to avoid - for him and our checkbook! I let him explore his thumb until he was 6 months old and now when we see him do it, we gently take his thumb out of his mouth and say "not now." We allow him do it at nap and bedtime, although he doesn't seem to be interested with it at those times. We have to also differintaite between "chewing" and "sucking" - I will let them chew, because I feel like that is part of their nature and discovery, but when we see him purposely sucking his thumb, we will remove it. Hopefully this will work and we won't have to battle it later. (That was "BabyWise's"method for all you "BabyWise" moms out there.)

- Finally, at times the boys (mostly Jeremiah) can throw little temper tantrums before it's time to eat. Once he realizes he is hungry and that I am not moving fast enough he will get m-a-d! Once again, this is so adorable! I have a hard time not laughing at it. Mom has been telling me that I cannot laugh at him when he does that! So, I have been working at sternly saying his name and telling him to get it together (or something along those lines). This one, I am sure, will take awhile for him to catch on, because in those moments he is only concerned about getting that tummy full!

Well, I think I might have rambled on enough our there! Be on the lookout tomorrow for a fun family shout out that is planned! (Especially you, Uncle Boo! Happy Birthday)

I leave you with this:



Aren't these boys beautiful?