Shannon helped me pack up the kids and head to the pediatrician Friday for their 9 month well visit. That's pretty funny to have a well visit while they were sick. But I was thankful for the doctor to check on them and make sure nothing was settling into their lungs yet.
Adam is such the squirmer and busy-body any more. Shannon picked him for the routine at the doctor's office - get undressed, in the hall to get weighed, length measured, etc. It takes about twice as long to go through the steps with him. I was sitting in the chair with Sara all wrapped in a blanket to keep warm and looked over at the exam table when Shannon was finished. Adam had ripped off half the exam table paper and rolled it in a ball from chewing on it. But he was all grins, so happy with himself while sitting on Shannon's lap!
Dr. Neese continues to think they look fantastic and is amazed they are eating 3 meals a day, then breast milk for dessert, and a nice 12 hour sleep all night.
Sara weighed in at 15lb 2oz. That is a 1lb 5oz gain since their last shot visit 8 weeks ago.
Adam weighed in at 15lb 11oz, which is a 15oz gain. I was surprised he didn't weigh more.
As far as length,
Sara is 26.75" long, up 2.75" since their 6 month visit on 10/8.
Adam is 27.5" long, up 2.25".
When comparing the kids with other babies born at the same time, Sara is in the 2% range for weight, 21% for length, and 5% for head size. Adam is .66% for weight, 22% for length, and 30% for head size.
That is pretty exciting that they are starting to get on the charts but what is more awesome is when you look at their super preemie growth chart status. Sara's weight falls at 75% and 95% for length. Adam's weight is 60% and length is 95% or above. To me, that's just confirmation that they are still our wonder twins!
Next appointments:
Jan 14 - Follow up eye appointments for both kids
Jan 19 - Adam's first developmental appointment with the Easter Seals program (RDFP)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Our first colds...and then some
This week has been quite the challenge to say the least.
Sunday - Sara woke up with a cough and runny nose.
Monday - I caught the cold.
Tuesday - Adam's turn.
And to throw more on top of that, Sara had woken up at 3am because she didn't drink enough at her last nursing the night before. After going to the bathroom, I turned on the faucet to wash my hands and discovered we didn't have any water! Shannon trudged out to the well in the freezing cold of the night but didn't know what the problem was. After feeding Sara, she fell back asleep at 3:45...for 15 minutes. I ended up holding her in the chair for the next hour before I could sneak in one more hour of sleep before the day started.
The saga continued when Shannon went to ICC to teach a class for the day and I packed up the kids and headed to a friend's house that had water. A few hours later the neighbor that manages our shared well called to say it would be a major repair. The plumber could be there the next day at 7am (Wed) but...we needed to cut our bushes down so he could get his truck over the well to pull it out. Good thing I work for a landscape company now. And I am so thankful for friends that allow us to crash at their house. I know asking if we can spend the night is just a formality. The best part about it was I could wish her a happy birthday the next morning in person. The worst part? Sara not being able to sleep laying down because she was so stuffed up. She slept for all of 1 hour in the pack and play with Adam. I held her in a chair until 10:30 when Shannon came back with our pajamas and from letting the dog have some play time. He then took a turn and held her in a chair until 1, snoozing lightly off and on. She woke up and cried when he tried to lay her down so we propped some pillows in the bed and he held her until 5 when I took over. Adam tossed and turned all night, as well, with not being able to breathe. A really hard night for both of us.
Wednesday Sara decided she still didn't really want to nap. She wasn't cranky. She was just awake and laughing and stuffed up. Apparently when Adam is sick he wants to be left alone and sleep extra. When Sara is sick, she laughs, sleeps less, and wants to be held. By the end of the day I was pretty wiped out but glad to be back home at dinner time to sleep in our own beds. Shannon ran to WalMart for the 2nd time that day and bought a warm mist vaporizer to raise the humidity level in their room. I think it really helped as we all slept through the night in our own beds.
Thursday brought 6" of snow. My prayers were answered when ICC closed and Shannon didn't have to teach another class. I woke up feeling the worst I had and wasn't sure how I would make it on my own to take care of the kids.
Friday Shannon started having symptoms but he was still able to carry some of the load so I could rest. And he helped me take the kids to the pediatrician.
Saturday, finally I am feeling better. I am hoping the kids will turn the corner soon. We haven't really found anything that helps at this point. We are giving them Tylenol. Their nose has been running since Sunday for Sara and Tuesday for Adam. The saline spray doesn't really help and good luck getting them to hold still. We try to suction it out when it's really bad. Again, good luck getting them to hold still. So it just runs and every now and then you see a big snot bubble! Adam absolutely hates having his nose wiped. Sara has mastered grabbing the kleenex before it reaches her nose no matter how much of it you have hidden in the palm of your hand. Her biggest challenge is nursing with a stuffy nose. She takes a couple gulps and then has to stop and suck her thumb because she can't breathe. And their cough is just painful to listen to. I so wanted to make it through the winter without getting sick. But these are the circumstances we have to deal with.
When I would get sick and it was just me to take care of, I really never thought about it. Now that I have been through being sick and having to take care of sick kids at the same time, I realize how easy I had it. And the even bigger challenge is getting your body to still provide enough milk to feed them when it really just wants to shut down and take a nap!
Sunday - Sara woke up with a cough and runny nose.
Monday - I caught the cold.
Tuesday - Adam's turn.
And to throw more on top of that, Sara had woken up at 3am because she didn't drink enough at her last nursing the night before. After going to the bathroom, I turned on the faucet to wash my hands and discovered we didn't have any water! Shannon trudged out to the well in the freezing cold of the night but didn't know what the problem was. After feeding Sara, she fell back asleep at 3:45...for 15 minutes. I ended up holding her in the chair for the next hour before I could sneak in one more hour of sleep before the day started.
The saga continued when Shannon went to ICC to teach a class for the day and I packed up the kids and headed to a friend's house that had water. A few hours later the neighbor that manages our shared well called to say it would be a major repair. The plumber could be there the next day at 7am (Wed) but...we needed to cut our bushes down so he could get his truck over the well to pull it out. Good thing I work for a landscape company now. And I am so thankful for friends that allow us to crash at their house. I know asking if we can spend the night is just a formality. The best part about it was I could wish her a happy birthday the next morning in person. The worst part? Sara not being able to sleep laying down because she was so stuffed up. She slept for all of 1 hour in the pack and play with Adam. I held her in a chair until 10:30 when Shannon came back with our pajamas and from letting the dog have some play time. He then took a turn and held her in a chair until 1, snoozing lightly off and on. She woke up and cried when he tried to lay her down so we propped some pillows in the bed and he held her until 5 when I took over. Adam tossed and turned all night, as well, with not being able to breathe. A really hard night for both of us.
Wednesday Sara decided she still didn't really want to nap. She wasn't cranky. She was just awake and laughing and stuffed up. Apparently when Adam is sick he wants to be left alone and sleep extra. When Sara is sick, she laughs, sleeps less, and wants to be held. By the end of the day I was pretty wiped out but glad to be back home at dinner time to sleep in our own beds. Shannon ran to WalMart for the 2nd time that day and bought a warm mist vaporizer to raise the humidity level in their room. I think it really helped as we all slept through the night in our own beds.
Thursday brought 6" of snow. My prayers were answered when ICC closed and Shannon didn't have to teach another class. I woke up feeling the worst I had and wasn't sure how I would make it on my own to take care of the kids.
Friday Shannon started having symptoms but he was still able to carry some of the load so I could rest. And he helped me take the kids to the pediatrician.
Saturday, finally I am feeling better. I am hoping the kids will turn the corner soon. We haven't really found anything that helps at this point. We are giving them Tylenol. Their nose has been running since Sunday for Sara and Tuesday for Adam. The saline spray doesn't really help and good luck getting them to hold still. We try to suction it out when it's really bad. Again, good luck getting them to hold still. So it just runs and every now and then you see a big snot bubble! Adam absolutely hates having his nose wiped. Sara has mastered grabbing the kleenex before it reaches her nose no matter how much of it you have hidden in the palm of your hand. Her biggest challenge is nursing with a stuffy nose. She takes a couple gulps and then has to stop and suck her thumb because she can't breathe. And their cough is just painful to listen to. I so wanted to make it through the winter without getting sick. But these are the circumstances we have to deal with.
When I would get sick and it was just me to take care of, I really never thought about it. Now that I have been through being sick and having to take care of sick kids at the same time, I realize how easy I had it. And the even bigger challenge is getting your body to still provide enough milk to feed them when it really just wants to shut down and take a nap!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Grandparent Christmas
With the kids still being small this year, we came up with an alternate plan for family Christmas and found a time that both my mom and Shannon's parents could visit to celebrate with the kids. On Tuesday the 29th Shannon's parents arrived to have a day with the kids. They got to feed them lunch and dinner - even Grandpa George dove in and gave it a try! I think they all enjoyed playing together and Sara had some moments of cracking up laughing. Shannon and I opened presents in the evening after the kids went to bed. And the next morning the kids were all smiles to find that they were still there to feed them breakfast!
My mom arrived Wednesday morning to add to the attention the kids were getting. The extra hands allowed me to concentrate on preparing lunch. I decided to make a turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and apple crisp. I have never in my life cooked a turkey, even if it wasn't a full bird. There were a few times that I asked myself 'what were you thinking?' I did some research on the internet about baking times and marinades and actually made up my own marinade to baste the turkey with. The meal turned out fabulous! The turkey tasted very yummy and was moist. I am still so proud of myself for juggling feeding the kids and preparing a big meal that turned out well.
We snapped a few photos and laid the kids down for a nap while we opened presents for them. They got some great clothes and toys--they should be all set for at least a few months until another growth spurt!
Shannon's parents left in the evening and my mom stayed a few days to enjoy her snuggle time and help out around the house. We opened presents with my mom later that night.
All in all, I think our Grandparent Christmas turned out great. The kids enjoyed all the attention and I'm sure the grandparents did, too!
My mom arrived Wednesday morning to add to the attention the kids were getting. The extra hands allowed me to concentrate on preparing lunch. I decided to make a turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and apple crisp. I have never in my life cooked a turkey, even if it wasn't a full bird. There were a few times that I asked myself 'what were you thinking?' I did some research on the internet about baking times and marinades and actually made up my own marinade to baste the turkey with. The meal turned out fabulous! The turkey tasted very yummy and was moist. I am still so proud of myself for juggling feeding the kids and preparing a big meal that turned out well.
We snapped a few photos and laid the kids down for a nap while we opened presents for them. They got some great clothes and toys--they should be all set for at least a few months until another growth spurt!
Shannon's parents left in the evening and my mom stayed a few days to enjoy her snuggle time and help out around the house. We opened presents with my mom later that night.
All in all, I think our Grandparent Christmas turned out great. The kids enjoyed all the attention and I'm sure the grandparents did, too!
Christmas at Uncle Bob's
Originally we were going to stay home for Christmas but when I learned that my Uncle Mark would be in town for the holidays, we started to reconsider. We hadn't seen him for a few years and, living in California, he doesn't make it back very often. He had never met the twins other than through pictures and following the blog. It also helped that rather than the usual 30+ people attending, it would be half that. So the day before Christmas we called around and asked if everyone was feeling healthy. Receiving confirmation, we hopped in the car after breakfast for the 3 hour drive.
Things went well at first - even Sara gave a few smiles to my cousin Beth. Her family hadn't seen the kids since our 4th of July party up there. And she enjoyed hanging out with Amber, my cousin Jason's wife. She has a quiet personality so Sara warmed right up to her! My mom got to feed them. Cousin Sheryl thought they looked great. And the kids are always excited to see my Aunt Robyn, cousin Emily and her three kids. It's so funny that they know to use hand sanitizer before they touch the babies...or as they call it "hanitizer" and apparently around the holidays it changes to "santatizer."
Bob's tree was amazing - 13' tall with white and silver decorations. Sara thought it was a little prickly to touch, though. The food was great. Uncle Mark's homemade lemon meringue pie was well worth the trip. We snapped a few photos of the three sets of twins together...Uncle Bob/Aunt Robyn, Robyn's granddaughters Peyton and Morgan, and my two. The kids got a few fun toys and some clothes to grow into. Even snow pants and a jacket for next winter. They look out the window, excited about all the white and wish they could bundle up for a sled ride now! Soon, kids...next year will be here before we know it.
Our biggest struggle of the day was getting Sara to sleep. I think she got overtired and there were too many people at that point. She was crying so hard she was shaking and just didn't want to give up to nap. Shannon finally got her down with some snuggle time.
We headed back home after putting on pajamas at 7. As we were driving in the dark and I was tired, I questioned returning home the same day and not just spending the night. The roads were bad from time to time and we had to slow down. But the next day when we got 7" of snow and the roads were ice covered and drifting, I was thankful we were already home.
Things went well at first - even Sara gave a few smiles to my cousin Beth. Her family hadn't seen the kids since our 4th of July party up there. And she enjoyed hanging out with Amber, my cousin Jason's wife. She has a quiet personality so Sara warmed right up to her! My mom got to feed them. Cousin Sheryl thought they looked great. And the kids are always excited to see my Aunt Robyn, cousin Emily and her three kids. It's so funny that they know to use hand sanitizer before they touch the babies...or as they call it "hanitizer" and apparently around the holidays it changes to "santatizer."
Bob's tree was amazing - 13' tall with white and silver decorations. Sara thought it was a little prickly to touch, though. The food was great. Uncle Mark's homemade lemon meringue pie was well worth the trip. We snapped a few photos of the three sets of twins together...Uncle Bob/Aunt Robyn, Robyn's granddaughters Peyton and Morgan, and my two. The kids got a few fun toys and some clothes to grow into. Even snow pants and a jacket for next winter. They look out the window, excited about all the white and wish they could bundle up for a sled ride now! Soon, kids...next year will be here before we know it.
Our biggest struggle of the day was getting Sara to sleep. I think she got overtired and there were too many people at that point. She was crying so hard she was shaking and just didn't want to give up to nap. Shannon finally got her down with some snuggle time.
We headed back home after putting on pajamas at 7. As we were driving in the dark and I was tired, I questioned returning home the same day and not just spending the night. The roads were bad from time to time and we had to slow down. But the next day when we got 7" of snow and the roads were ice covered and drifting, I was thankful we were already home.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Sara's spa time
I thought maybe it would only happen once. When it happened again, I thought that might be it. But after a third time, maybe we have a pattern here. Sara loves bath time. Bubble bath time. The kids are at the in-between stage in the little plastic tub where they have outgrown the side that reclines but the side that is upright they can't sit up on their own yet. The past 3 bath times with Sara she has started reclining like normal. And then she gives you a little look and scoots her butt down. You are almost worried that she is going to go under the water but she stops herself. Her ears are covered in water, sometimes she swings a leg over the side of the tub, and then she starts the butt dance and splashes water out while she giggles. Future gift ideas - Sara is going to be a spa girl! Must have started early from the 98% humidity in her incubator.
In case you were wondering, I did not carefully position the bubbles for this public photo op!
In case you were wondering, I did not carefully position the bubbles for this public photo op!
9 month birthday
About this time 9 months ago I think I was telling Shannon 'I feel loopy.' The room was spinning a little from all the magnesium sulfate my body had been processing throughout the day trying to hold off labor. It was nice that I didn't feel contractions all day long but seeing 2 of my husband's heads overlapping in front of my wasn't quite right, either.
It's strange how time can seem to pass slow, yet fast at the same time. Obviously we have been away from the NICU for months. I have watched the kids go from doing nothing but eating every 3 hours and going right back to sleep, strapped to wires and alarms that made us jump...to now rolling over, smiling and interacting, eating, taking toys from each other. Adam loves to socialize and smiles at anyone, even through his thumb in his mouth. Sara is famous for her butt dance and now wants so desperately to sit up. She lays on the floor and lifts her head and her feet. We give her a little help and she is so proud of herself to be sitting.
I think one more blink and it will probably be their first birthday!
It's strange how time can seem to pass slow, yet fast at the same time. Obviously we have been away from the NICU for months. I have watched the kids go from doing nothing but eating every 3 hours and going right back to sleep, strapped to wires and alarms that made us jump...to now rolling over, smiling and interacting, eating, taking toys from each other. Adam loves to socialize and smiles at anyone, even through his thumb in his mouth. Sara is famous for her butt dance and now wants so desperately to sit up. She lays on the floor and lifts her head and her feet. We give her a little help and she is so proud of herself to be sitting.
I think one more blink and it will probably be their first birthday!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year
Adam and Sara wish all their blog followers a Happy New Year. May 2010 bring you much prosperity and joy.We had a little discussion this morning and the kids shared their resolutions for the upcoming year. I explained how it's good to set goals. They thought for a bit and decided to aim big!
By the end of 2010, we plan to...
1. Sit up on our own
2. Crawl
3. Eat food with our fingers
4. Talk
5. Walk
It's gonna be a big year!
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