Cora is Two! Medical Updates and More

Cora turned two years old on October 20th! This little girl is full of life...a toddler for sure:). We had her two year check today and received mixed news. First though...the good stuff. FAVORITE FOODS: bread products, hummus, chicken nuggets, grapes, yogurt. FAVORITE ACTIVITY: puzzles, reading books, singing, playing outside. FAVORITE BOOK: The Nose Book. FAVORITE SONG: Anything from the Lion King. FAVORITE TOYS: Books and her Little People Princess Castle. FAVORITE SHOW: Mickey's Clubhouse, Yo Gabba Gabba, Pociyo SIZE CLOTHES: 12-18 months, 9-12 months in shorts/pants. WEIGHT: 20.3 lb. HEIGHT: 32.75 inches. LOVES: Kindermusik and Story time LOVIES: Baby Elmo and Bunny. SCHEDULE: 7:30/8-up, nap at 1, bed 7:30. MILESTONES: Cora can put several words together but prefers to use one or two words to get her point across. She can walk and tries to run. She can go up small steps only. Cora can sing several songs and loves to have music playing. PERSONALTY: Cora is very social...she loves to say hi and wave to people. She is always up for new things...loves to be in the action. Cora can be very focused on what she wants...which leads to some pretty funny mini-fits. I usually have to hide my laughing face when she is throwing one. She is very affectionate and has a special love for her grandfathers:). Cora is easy to put down to sleep (yeah!) but does not always go to sleep right away. She likes to roll around in her crib talking and singing...sometimes for over half her nap. I think she just has lower sleep needs than Max did at this age. MEDICAL UPDATE: Cora is doing great with all her mental milestones... she is a smart girl:). I feel blessed that her language, communication, and problem solving skills are strong. However, there are still concerns over her growth and physical milestones. Her pediatrician will continue to monitor her growth until she is three before deciding if it is her genetics at work or something else. Luckily her height and weight have increased proportionally to one another which is a positive. Cora is not a big eater so it has been a huge daily endeavor for me to get in enough calories. I have a gut feeling that her genetics are mostly why she is so petit. We will see. Her gross motor skills were of moderate concern...she is stiff when she runs and has a harder time climbing and going on the steps. She is also still constipated and gags easily. We are going to have her evaluated again at Children's and see what they say. They may send us to neurology as well. I expected some of this today but still feel sad for my girl. She hates going to the Dr. and screams the entire time usually. :(. However, when I look at the big picture I could not be more proud of my baby girl. She has conquered so much in her short two years...she is smart, happy, and loves her family. What more could I ask for? I will confess the past couple of months have been tough for me as far as being a mom...doubting myself, wondering if I am doing the right things for my kids, and trying to control their trials. This landed me in burn out mode...I was attempting all this on my own strength. NOT possible. I need God to supplement me, renew me, and strengthen me as a parent, wife, and friend. He will give me wisdom and endurance to be the best mom and wife I can be. I am so thankful that I do not have to be a parent on my own...I have a wonderful husband and family… but most importantly a heavenly Father who loves my kids more than me. Amen.