7 Pounds

Not the movie either. Seven pounds is about the difference from what the boys weighed collectively today and how much I gained during my pregnancy with them. I'll let you do the math.

Anywho, the Deuce had their 15 month well-baby visit today. Not much to report other than weights and heights! Oh, and shots. Lots. More. Shots. Ugh.

Ben: 17 lbs. 9 oz., 29 1/2 inches

Abe 21 lbs. 11oz., 30 1/8 inches

Dr. K was delighted with Ben's weight gain from the end of April to today. It was over a pound! I wish my doctor got that excited when I gained weight :)

Well-Baby Visit and Update

The Deuce had their one year well-baby visit last Friday. We were already a little delayed due to their adjusted age, but their bout with RSV a couple months ago helped delay us even more. As usual, they weighed them, checked length, and head circumference. These were their stats:

Ben:

16.6lbs

27"

44cm head circumference

Abe:

20.6lbs-10%

29"-10%

45cm head circumference-10%

So just like their 6 month appointment, Abe is right on track in terms of meeting milestones and the growth chart. As for our Benny boy, still not so much. I wish I could say that all parties are still not concerned and time is all he needs but it appears that it is no longer the case. In fact, Friday we spent quite a bit of time talking with Dr. K about Ben, his weight and his milestones. It seems the doc feels that it is time to make contact with UNMH's Early Childhood Evaluation Program (ECEP) and have Ben evaluated for physical therapy. Dr. K seems to think that Ben suffers from Hypotonia, or low muscle tone, as a result of his prematurity. Rather than wait another 6 months to see if it improves, he wants to take a more proactive approach. Basically, PT would help him gain muscle tone and hopefully help him to excel at a faster rate than he would otherwise do on his own. Right now, we're in the preliminary stages of making contact with ECEP and then we wait for them to come out and meet with us. There is an incredibly long waiting list so the evaluation could take as long as August.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't experiencing a mix of emotions. However, in those emotions, I am still strongly clinging to God's sovereign will and what it means for our lives. So while I do not know exactly what the future holds for Ben, what I do know and trust is that he will do ALL that God intended him to do. No more. No less. Praise God for His perfect provision in our lives.

What's Up Doc?!

Benji's boo-boo's

A.B.'s boo-boo's

Five Looney Tunes bandaids later, we left Dr. K's office today with two VERY unhappy boys. The Deuce had their six month well-baby appointment this morning and needless to say it was not the highlight our week. On top of teething and a change in their schedule, they were lined up for shots. Not a great week but now that it's over, we've checked quite a few things off our list. (whew!) Abe's teeth don't seem to be bothering him so much, they are now happily on a four hour feeding schedule and 3 meals a day, and we don't have to go back for any poking or prodding for six whole months! Hooray!

We got some good news a the doc's today too. Abe is now considered to be consistent with a "term" baby. He was in the 10% for weight (15.15 lbs.) height (25.5 inches) and head circumference (??). Ben...well...not so much, but he still is doing wonderfully! Weight (12.14 lbs.) height (26 inches) and head circumference (??). The good news with him is that he is consistently growing, which is all they are looking for. So the difference in weight is now almost three pounds and man can I feel it! I don't know how I'm going to lug their heavy rear-ends around for much longer! There was a little boy in Target the other day that told his mom that I was stronger than "daddy" as I walked into the store with my cargo. Hilarious but quite possibly true.

Dr. K also gave us the go ahead to start some protein (chicken, turkey, lamb, and eggwhites). I'm not sure quite why, but I just have a hard time choking down that these little people who used to barely eat 12 cc's at EACH feeding are getting ready to chow down on some thanksgiving turkey with the rest of the family. Call me crazy but isn't that real people food?! Are ya sure?! Can't they just stick to pureed fruits and veggies for a while? I finally accepted that they like bananas and zucchini. Now you want me to throw a whole new wrench? Sheesh. This train needs to s.l.o.w. d.o.w.n.