18 month appointment

just wanted to share a quick update on the girls' 18 month appointment. i took them by myself this time as my MIL (who has done all their previous WBV with me) is out of town & trying arrange someone else to come just seemed like a PITA. i even took them in without a stroller! :blink: i wasn't sure how that would go but it actually worked quite well. they both listened very well - Danika even walked all the way by herself (holding my hand) & stopped when i asked her to. i was very proud of her. once we were in the waiting room they both sat in the chairs i put them in reading their books quietly.

once we got into the doctor's office they did fine until the nurse came in - i'm not sure what set them off but they were terrified of her! and then she got flustered from all the screaming (i admit, it can be overwhelming when they both get going. i forget just how overwhelming because i've gotten used to it) & i'm pretty sure the measurements she took weren't accurate. maybe i should have said something but honestly, i know the girls are both growing well & so i wasn't too concerned about it. and trying to get them to both sit still through another round of measuring just didn't seem worth it. :laughing:

they loved the doctor though! and he was great with them. he commented that the 18 month appointment is usually a tough one as toddlers are just starting to realize they have a mind of their own & can act on it. he said he usually just tries to get as much done as he can, but unless there's a real concern about anything he doesn't force it. the girls thought a lot of what he was doing was just a fun game. the only thing they didn't like was the stethoscope - at least until he let them hold it themselves.

the only thing that didn't get "checked off" in the milestone department was that Riley doesn't quite have 5 words yet but he wasn't concerned because she does have some words, is understanding everything very well & twins are usually a little bit slow in the verbal department anyway. i expect we'll be seeing a language explosion in the next month or two.

anyway, i was really happy with how everything went & they even went down for their nap without a problem! :good:

 

:yahoo: for a great appointment Rachel! Way to go girls for doing well and behaving so good for you!!!

 

Sounds like a great appointment!! And good on you for taking them without the stroller, I've done this a few times and every time I leave thinking 'Why did I not take the stroller again?!?!'

 

:clapping: yay for a fab 18mth apptmt, you must be very pleased! Congrats for going it alone, with no buggy!?! Brave lady

 

great visit!!! good for you! and WOW, you need to give lessons on how to get twins to behave! we did our 18 mo. visit w/o a stroller, and I had my mom with me... and it was horrible! I'm still in awe of you making it through the visit by yourself!

oh, and the normal nurse we have has no personality... but we love the doctor... again, glad you had a great visit.

 

Good for you Rach. I almost always take mine by myself, but without a stroller--you're brave.

I'm wondering about the language thing--I keep hearing different numbers from different docs. Who knows? I was talking to a friend of mine, and her daughter had like one word or two at that age. She really wasn't talking much at all, but she had great receptive language. She could understand things and would follow direction, but wasn't verbal in her responses. Then, suddenly at right before 2 she started speaking; she spoke clearly and was using sentences within a month or two.

 

Sounds like a great appointment!!

 

:yahoo: Rachel, sounds like they are doing awesome! :wub:

 

ha! i wish i could take credit it for it - honestly, i think i just lucked out. i decided to give it a try, prepared for the absolute worst, and they surprised me. they were in good moods & happy to listen. ardon: i'll take credit though if you insist.

 

yeah, i hear different things too. i also think a big part of why he wasn't concerned is that Riley also has really good receptive language. i'm sure she'll get to talking in her own sweet time. they have so much to learn between 12 & 24 months and they can't learn it all at the same time!

 

Rachel, this happened to my BF. Her oldest DS barely spoke but could understand directions and understand what you were saying. Once he turned two, he just starting speaking like it's nothing.
I've heard various things about language at 18 months, my pedi said she would be happy if the kids had 5-10 words...DS was at 20, DD close to 30. I think it's one of those things that just varies. I know mine picked up so much language between 18 months and now, it's crazy!

 

we're in the same boat with words... ours don't have a whole lot, but the pedi was ok with what they did have - maybe 5 at 18 months. but they sure do understand a whole lot! I am still "enjoying" the quiet for now... but am sure there will be an explosion soon. they both say things, and babble a lot. They are really good at reception and following instructions. I'm sure you'll see good things in the next few months!

 

So glad you had a good appointment. My guys are going to have theirs next month!