Medical Update

Last week Wednesday Willa had an appointment at UNC with the trifecta of specialists - GI, feeding/ speech and nutrition. This is an appointment that we requested because Willa continues to have some massive burps that can lead to throwing up.

As always, the visit started with measurements. Since February, Willa gained two centimeters and is now just over 30 inches in length. Unfortunately, she didn't gain any weight. Daren and I were not surprised on the lack of weight gain because, at that point, Willa had been congested for over a week. Congestion = difficulty drinking.

The feeding therapist watched Willa eat. While she was very happy to see Willa signing and asking for "more" food she didn't like Willa's lack of actual chewing. We have homework. Also, we need to restart feeding therapy sessions at daycare. Sorry if you come join us at the house for a meal because you will probably see Daren and I chewing with our mouths open to show Willa how fun it is to chew food versus swallowing large pieces.

Nutrition suggested we start giving Willa Duocal for an added calorie boost. Duocal won't change the taste or texture of food or drink but it does add an additional 25 calories per serving. We can give her up to four servings a day.

Enough doctor stuff.

Willa has 9-ish teeth. There might actually be 10 teeth but I'm unsure if that fourth molar has popped though. Here is a pic of the bottom two teeth.

Willa is wearing size three diapers! It happened much sooner than I anticipated. We had to move up a size because the size two diapers got a bit short.

I know I go on and and on about how much I enjoy our neighborhood but I'm going to do it again. About a month ago one of our neighbors knocked on the door bringing us a tricycle. Still working on the tiny details that a helmet must always be worn and hands belong on the handles.

Today wasn't an ideal day to be outside but we made it work. There are quite a few tiny cars that cruise the sidewalks of Bellemont. Today, in the blustery cold, was Willa's first spin. She smiled non-stop!

Barnyard Fun

Last weekend we took a quick trip to a local garden center to pick up a few bushes to replace the ones that died in our flowerbed along the house. Walking around a bunch of expensive, prickly and wet plants is not an ideal place to let Willa roam. However, this is very family friendly garden center. They have goats, chickens, geese, ducks and swans!!! The ladies encouraged us to go feed the goats and handed us a bag of animal crackers (ironically enough). Had I known about the photographic opportunities I would have done three things differently -

1. The pictures were taken using Daren's cell phone. The pictures are good but I wish we had our nice camera.
2. I would have dressed Willa in a cuter outfit or at least pants that aren't two inches too short.
3. I would have showered and worn my contacts.

Willa's initial reaction to the goats is just precious. Interestingly, the goats did not hold her attention for long. She wanted to chase the geese. Are geese friendly?

Expressing Her Opinions

Shoulder ride to get her back in the house

Willa is just shy of 17 months old but she seems to be full of opinions well beyond her age. A food Willa previously loved suddenly gets batted across the kitchen. I'm constantly sitting in the wrong spot on the floor while leaning against the couch. It seems I'm always sitting in the exact spot that Willa needs to be. Daren's suggestion of things to mention includes: hats, shoes and teeth brushing.

We jest, but most of the neighborhood has witnessed Willa's opinion of when someone tries to interrupt her pacing walking up and down the sidewalks. Heaven forbid someone try to turn her around to face her away from the road...BHJEHWJWAAAAAAA.

Willa is the happiest when she is outside. So many cars to wave at and blow kisses to. Also, we have lots of dogs in the neighborhood. When the young boys are playing basketball or hockey is when she has the toughest time containing her excitement while shouting ball.

Have we mentioned that Willa has a posse?? Actually, all the toddlers and babies in the neighborhood are subject to fangirling. The upper elementary and middle school kids are so good with the young ones. Daren and I have been able to get work done inside and outside the house for the past two weekends because the girls in the neighborhood came over to watch Willa. There is no way we could have hung a ceiling fan with Willa wreaking havoc around our ankles. Fingers crossed our fabulous weather returns and we can all be outside again this weekend.

Walking and Talking

Here is just a glimpse of Willa's decision to become a full fledged walking toddler. Actually, this video is outdated because she has started to run! I think we owe all of the credit for the running to baby Connor from daycare. Thanks buddy!

Grandma Green Visit Recap

Grandma Green came down south to watch Willa for a week while our daycare provider went on vacation to Florida. Nothing real exciting was planned for the visit. Unfortunately, mom visited at a time when there wasn't a home men's basketball game for UNC. Maybe next year she can make the visit be when UNC plays Duke. I think she would enjoy that contest. 

It wasn't Iowa cold but it was a bit chilly for North Carolina. I was hoping that the 60 degree temps from the day of mom's arrival would last for the week. Oh well, Willa and mom got to spend a little bit of time strolling the neighborhood looking for doggies. 

I think Willa's language flourished during mom's visit. Her animal sounds increased from a doggie saying woof, and a cat sorta saying meow to knowing: cat, cow, lion, and duck. My mom tried to get Willa to wiggle her nose for a bunny but somehow that became Willa shrugging her shoulders. Thankfully, that bunny impersonation has been forgotten by Willa. It was a nice try mom. 

Willa also went from being a 80% knee walker/15% crawler/5% walker to 75% walker/15% knee walker/10% crawler. The switch flipped on Friday and it caught us all by surprise. Suddenly Willa was  pacing back and forth from the living room to the kitchen. Willa is much sneakier when walking versus the clomping the happens from the knee walking. 

We didn't take a lot of pictures and I don't think the camera came out until the morning of my mom's return flight. I am happy I managed to catch the goodbye kiss and hug.  Come back soon Grandma Green!

Ole!

I promise that this weekend I will sit down and post photos and videos from when my mom was here taking care of Willa. Pinky swear. Finding time to blog when Willa is awake is impossible because I can't be on the computer without Willa begging to be on my lap.

However, this isn't just some boring blog post about some future writings...instead if is a super cute video of Willa looking at one of Daren's old birthday cards. We found it while cleaning out the office. Enjoy!