Anything BUT Average

The day after Max's birthday, we took a trip the the doctor for his one year checkup. I had been dreading this for WEEKS. The thought of him getting his shots was enough to bring me almost to tears. Seriously, I have problems. Thank goodness Chris is about 100% more stable than I am, and was able to go with us.

I've been dying to know what his measurements were and where he was on the "graph". However, as Chris and I discussed, the only measurement that is somewhat reliable in this equation is the weight. The manual measurements (height and head circumference) are less than scientific. The nurse tries to hold down Mr. Wriggles on the exam table, and then makes a mark somewhere in the vicinity of his feet and somewhere in the vicinity of his head. And then she tries to measure his head as he's thrashing it back and forth. So, I find these numbers to be an approximation at best.

Here they are:
Weight: 20 lb 2 oz - 47%
Height 30" - 57%
Head - don't remember the number, but it was 48%

So, as the doctor said...all around average. What? Not my boy! (The doctor did do a MUCH MORE scientific computation for Max's future, full-grown height which involved adding some inches to my height and averaging it with Chris's and determined that Max will probably be between 5'7" and 5'10 1/2" ... that's quite a range and 5'7" is quite short, but the doctor reminded us that "most movie stars and men who are considered by many to be good looking are pretty short". Thanks, that definitely makes me feel much better!)

So we also discussed his development and what he should be doing or getting close to doing at this point.
Talking: He should have 2 or 3 words like MaMa, Dada, etc...well, he has Uh Oh, which he has had since he was 6 months. But, babbling up a storm so the doc said no problem.
Walking: He should be "working on it" and he is - he zooms all around the house with push toys. I guess we haven't really spent a lot of time trying to get him to take any steps. I think he took one today when I tried with him. I have made a prediction that it will happen this week, so we'll see...
Other: The doc was impressed with Max's outgoing nature and said he didn't see any hints of "stranger anxiety", which is common at this age.

I can't remember what else we talked about other than Chris and the doc having a long discussion about the iPad.
And then, it was time .... for the vaccines. He was to get Chickenpox, MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella), and Hepatitis A; one in the leg, and one in each arm. Nothing like spreading the shots out for maximum pain! I don't really know what happened because I was hiding behind some papers while Chris held Max down on the table, but I heard major crying and I did not like it. But, shortly thereafter, Max was able to pick out a toy (a little rubber ducky dressed like a green beret) and all was forgotten. It was remembered for the rest of the day, however, as Max insisted on spending our shopping trip to Walmart shrieking and whining. Poor guy.

But, he recovered sufficiently enough to enjoy his birthday party the following day. And here is a preview of how that went: