4-year-check-up!

In the last blog post I mentioned that I got a bike for my 4th birthday. Here are some pictures from the very beginning of learning to ride it. At first Dad had to hold onto the handlebars while I got used to using the pedals. He also had to remind me to look in front, rather than down at my feet. By the end of practising he just had to lightly hold onto the back of the seat, and I could go pretty fast!

Pedaling is very different from pushing myself on my Laufrad ('walking bike')... it's hard work, and harder to get started!

...taking a short break.

Getting ready...

...taking a short break to make sure the area is safe! (This is my soldier-prone-position). Then back to practising! My Momma got cold and annoyed at the mosquitos, so she headed home... more pictures of me riding my bike FASTER and with less support to follow soon!

On Monday I had my 4-year-old check-up at the doctor's office.

I am growing to be a big, big boy: I'm 43 inches (109cm) tall and I weigh 45lbs (20.5kg)... which is in the 95%ile for a 4-year-old... this means that I am the same size as 50% of 6-year-olds!

The doc said that everything else looks great, and that my Momma and Dad can be very proud of how well my mind and my motor skills are developing.

After the check-up I had to get my 4-year-old immunizations. Those were NOT fun: 5 different shots with a combination of a total of 9 different vaccines. I was VERY brave though: I didn't cry at all, I just said "Ow! OW! Hey! That really hurt!" The nurse said she had never seen such a brave 4-year-old. My arm was pretty sore for a few days afterwards, especially where I got the tetanus shot.

I have discovered a new fun pass-time: writing stuff! I've been able to recognize letters for a long time now, and can sound out words up to 5 letters long, and know how to spell a few words. For Fathers' Day I decided that I wanted to WRITE Dad a card... so I did! I wrote these words without anyone guiding my hand - all by myself.