Penn's 18 Month (ish) Appointment

Today Penn had his equivalent of his 18 month appointment (almost on time at 18 1/2 months).  He was in great spirits after a fun morning of running errands just with me while Tav was at preschool.  These pictures came before he got super upset with the nurse measuring him head to toe and then at the doctor for using his stethoscope and other tools on him and then again at the nurse for his shot.  Poor baby.  Here's my pre-all of that, happy, healthy Penn Rye.

First in the waiting room he helped me fill out the form with the red pen (cap on of course, it didn't bother him, he thought he was pretty awesome anyways).

After I prepped him for the weigh-in (got him down to his diaper and so adorable just as his bare self), he went back to his work on the clipboard.  He kept hearing babies screaming in rooms closeby, so his expressions are adorable as he contemplates what is going on out there!  All too soon he'll find out.

I know, it's a lot of pictures.  But what else is there to do when you are waiting for the doctor?  Plus, this kid is just too cute to not photograph.

Although Penn was a great model for my photo shoots while playing with filters on my iPhone, he eventually got a little bored, so I broke out the crayons.  That gave us several more minutes of fun with the clipboards.  It was so cute how Penn would lay down to work on his artpiece.  Our forms were very decorative by the time the doctor came in to chat. =)

Alright, that's it for the crazy amount of photos.  Now for the stats the grandmothers have all been waiting for. =)  At 18 and 1/2 months Penn weighs 23 lbs., 7 oz. (35th percentile) and he is 32 and 3/4 in. long (55th percentile) - although to be honest, he was squirming and I felt like they missed a half inch.  I was so encouraged about his weight as we are really picking up speed after his dip to 5th percentile last summer.  Praise the Lord he's growing so well now (although I did figure this was the case because this child has quite the appetite these days!!).  Now, of course, we have to compare for the sake of fun to the other Melder babies.  At 18 months, Koen was 33 and 3/4 inches tall (85th percentile) and 25 lbs., 7 oz. (50th percentile).  And Tavin was 33 and 1/4 inches (65th percentile) and 24 lbs., 11 oz. (oddly my book says this was 25th percentile, but oh well).

Great job growing, Penn Rye!  Since your last visit at 16 months you've accomplished a lot.  Not only have you grown a full inch (or more in my opinion) and you gained 2 pounds, but you sustained a fracture and healed from it, you then learned how to walk, you enjoyed your second Christmas, you continue to try new sounds and babble words and most of all you've brought us joy each and every day.  I love you, Penn.  XOXO