Developmental Update

Chloe has been to the doctor for her 15 month check-up and also for her first MMR immunization. Chloe did extremely well and was a tough little cookie. She has been great and continues to push on.

She is really slimming down, 90th percentile in height at 32", 50th percentile for weight at 22.12 pounds and 50th percentile for head circumference. Dr. Cowley said if she continues at this rate, she will be what every woman wants to be. She projects, about 5'8" (like her mommy) and around 121 pounds (not like her mommy). Here's hoping she has more of the Newell genetics.

I have been concerned with Chloe's learning and have probably been comparing too much with how Cleis learned and what Cleis was doing by this age. Of course ever since Chloe's ear ordeal I've been worried that she is behind in speech. Turns out her vocabulary is actually ahead of what is consider the norm for a 15 month old. It also appears Chloe has a different learning method at this point. Seems she could be a kinetic learner for now. I'm praying this will change. What amazes me though, is she will sit in our laps and want you to read 4-5 books to her at a time but when I bring out the flashcards, she would rather grab them and throw them. So we'll make some teaching changes and see if they work any better. I guess I'll be moving and hanging from the ceiling to teach Chloe her A, B, C's. So far I've switched to using more blocks on working with shapes and colors and it does seem to make a difference. Now is it because it's something new or is she responding?

All in all we received a great report and Chloe is right where she needs to be.

Christmas Pictues

Chloe and Daddy after the Louisville game. Daddy, Mommy and Big Sis (Cleis) had an afternoon out to the Louisville game.

Cleis opening her doll house.

One of my favorites this year. It has been a tough year getting Chloe to take a good picture put this night she did extremely well.

Doodle

I never imagined how much fun an Aqua Doodle could bring to your home.

Chloe received the Aqua Doodle for Christmas (thanks Nana) and it has been a favorite for both of the girls. Chloe is learning how to use the pen and for now is doodling. Cleis on the other hand, has taken to the Aqua Doodle and we have been able to incorporate the Aqua Doodle mat into our preschool time and it has been a tremendous help in her writing.

I'm so glad Chloe is happy to share.

I believe this is going to be a great tool to have for teaching and playing with the girls. Who knows we may have the next Picasso.

Happy New Year

Welcome 2008!!!!!

It was a very low key, and I mean low key here at the Newells homestead. In past we have gone out to a nice dinner or to a party or over to friends. Then about 3 years ago we started having our own party, a Raclette dinner. This year we decided to keep it just us and not have our party so we continued on with the Raclette celebration. (Bernie would be proud)

We started our evening off watching UK play in the Music City Bowl, preparing and eating our dinner. We finished with clean up just in time to watch the last 2:12 minutes of the game. The most exciting two minutes of the game, watching the fumbles and wondering if we were going to go into overtime or was Kentucky going to pull this game off with a win. Yeah for the win.

We had some quality family time before putting the girls to bed and they were able to stay up longer than usual. Cleis wanted to work on her gymnastics and prepare for the gymnastic camp she starts on Wednesday. She is very excited about her camp and starting back to gymnastics. We have been off during the holidays. Chloe wants to dive right in there with her sister. It's funny to watch her put her hands to the floor and want to flip.

We had a great New Year's Eve and today we will round out our New Year celebrations at the Newells with our annual New Year's Day dinner. Who will end up with the most dimes this year???

Here's to a Happy New Year and wishing All the best for 2008...