Sorry I've been blog-negligent. The girls and I went to my mom and mema's last Friday and returned Wednesday. Then, my dad came friday night and left this afternoon. It's been busy and I haven't had time to blog.
I will take some time later to tell you about our latest adventures, but I just wanted everyone to know we hadn't disappeared:-)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Mysteriously Expanding Abigail
So, Tuesday is the day our Speech/Feeding Therapist comes. Every Tuesday we weigh the girls on a special baby scale that my sister generously bought for us ages ago. Recently, of course, Tuesday's have been rather disappointing.
This past Tuesday, however, Abby weighed in at 17#4oz. Last week, she was 16#10oz. I didn't believe it. A 10 oz gain! That's impossible. So, I check it again. Same thing. I was still rather doubtful. We decided maybe she need to poop. Interestingly, she did have a small poop soon after, but I don't think it weighed 10 oz.
The next day, Wednesday, I weighed her again. 17#3 oz. Seriously. I still think it's wrong. They didn't gain 10oz in a week when hooked up to a feeding tube. I just don't get it. I would think the whole scale to be off except that Natalie weighed in at 16#2oz - the same as last week. THAT, I can believe. So, I may weigh her again tomorrow just to see. Maybe I'll use our real scale. It's digital and goes to the tenth....
In other news,
Natalie's OTHER top tooth is making an appearance. She soon will have all her front teeth - two on top and two on the bottom. Abby better watch out.
Two days ago, Natalie did the neatest thing. She was sitting beside the couch in this little corner near the window. I was on the couch. I could hear her babbling and babbling, "diddy, diddy, diddy". Then she stood up and showed me her toy while pointing to one side, "diddy, diddy". I looked at the block and on one side was a kitty! She was pointing to and saying the word kitty! I was so excited. This is not a block we usually play with either. I didn't even know it had a cat on it, so when I saw it and put the two together, I was thrilled. So, it's "kitty" as a first word for everyone!
Abby has discovered balls in the past 2 days. She is picking them up and throwing them. Today, she threw one practically across the room. She also has decided she loves Dr. Seuss. I only have "The Foot Book", but she hands it to me to read. When she does, she actually starts bobbing up and down. I think she completely gets the rhythm of the book.
Both girls actually really love books. We have one book, "Find the Kitten", which we started reading at bedtime when we were sleep training them. They still love it. They are starting to point to the kitty more, especially Natalie who has quite the good form with one finger pointing. Towards the end, there's a page where the kitty is in a wheelbarrow. The text says, "Kitty loves a bumpy ride". We would bounce up and down when we read it. Now, they start bouncing as soon as we get to the page. The next, and last, page is kitty and the little girl in the door way of a house, and it reads, "Now it's time to go inside". Since we read it at night, we always added, "nite, nite kitty, say bye, bye to the kitty". Now, Natalie will start waving bye bye at the page even before I read it.
It's amazing to me how much the can understand and remember. They are starting to really try to communicate too. Abby was on top of a plastic drawer and was making little "mmm, mmmm" frustrated sounds. I realized she was trying to open the drawer. I opened it, and she happily climbed in. They will also make noises when they bring a book to me and want me to read it - especially if I don't do it right away.
On the feeding front...
Fig Newtons. 50 calories a cookie. They love them. I did learn a valuable lesson today though. Fig Newtons are not to be handed whole to the babies for them to eat while roaming around the living room. Newtons ground into the floor, newtons in hair, newtons between toes, newtons in crumbles... Fig Newtons are mommy-directed or to be given in their feeding chairs. Very valuable lesson.
I also discovered a yo-baby drinkable yogurt at just over 30 calories an ounce. The girls will often drink these things from their straw cups when they refuse their bottles. And, then there is coconut cream. 130 calories AN OUNCE! Holy Moly! Can they just drink it straight? So yogurt (180cal/6 ounces), plus an ounce of heavy whipping cream (~100 cal) + a little coconut cream (~100cal) = ~380 calories for about 7.5 ounces - an amazing 46.6 calories an ounce. Woo Hoo. Add in a fig newton and we've got ourselves a meal, baby!
A special Warning: Do not try this at home. While Fig Newtons are great for calorie deprived babies, they are not good for calorie-restricted mommies. A glass of milk and 4 Fig Newtons at 1am after feeding the babies is bad. Bad, bad, bad, bad.
This past Tuesday, however, Abby weighed in at 17#4oz. Last week, she was 16#10oz. I didn't believe it. A 10 oz gain! That's impossible. So, I check it again. Same thing. I was still rather doubtful. We decided maybe she need to poop. Interestingly, she did have a small poop soon after, but I don't think it weighed 10 oz.
The next day, Wednesday, I weighed her again. 17#3 oz. Seriously. I still think it's wrong. They didn't gain 10oz in a week when hooked up to a feeding tube. I just don't get it. I would think the whole scale to be off except that Natalie weighed in at 16#2oz - the same as last week. THAT, I can believe. So, I may weigh her again tomorrow just to see. Maybe I'll use our real scale. It's digital and goes to the tenth....
In other news,
Natalie's OTHER top tooth is making an appearance. She soon will have all her front teeth - two on top and two on the bottom. Abby better watch out.
Two days ago, Natalie did the neatest thing. She was sitting beside the couch in this little corner near the window. I was on the couch. I could hear her babbling and babbling, "diddy, diddy, diddy". Then she stood up and showed me her toy while pointing to one side, "diddy, diddy". I looked at the block and on one side was a kitty! She was pointing to and saying the word kitty! I was so excited. This is not a block we usually play with either. I didn't even know it had a cat on it, so when I saw it and put the two together, I was thrilled. So, it's "kitty" as a first word for everyone!
Abby has discovered balls in the past 2 days. She is picking them up and throwing them. Today, she threw one practically across the room. She also has decided she loves Dr. Seuss. I only have "The Foot Book", but she hands it to me to read. When she does, she actually starts bobbing up and down. I think she completely gets the rhythm of the book.
Both girls actually really love books. We have one book, "Find the Kitten", which we started reading at bedtime when we were sleep training them. They still love it. They are starting to point to the kitty more, especially Natalie who has quite the good form with one finger pointing. Towards the end, there's a page where the kitty is in a wheelbarrow. The text says, "Kitty loves a bumpy ride". We would bounce up and down when we read it. Now, they start bouncing as soon as we get to the page. The next, and last, page is kitty and the little girl in the door way of a house, and it reads, "Now it's time to go inside". Since we read it at night, we always added, "nite, nite kitty, say bye, bye to the kitty". Now, Natalie will start waving bye bye at the page even before I read it.
It's amazing to me how much the can understand and remember. They are starting to really try to communicate too. Abby was on top of a plastic drawer and was making little "mmm, mmmm" frustrated sounds. I realized she was trying to open the drawer. I opened it, and she happily climbed in. They will also make noises when they bring a book to me and want me to read it - especially if I don't do it right away.
On the feeding front...
Fig Newtons. 50 calories a cookie. They love them. I did learn a valuable lesson today though. Fig Newtons are not to be handed whole to the babies for them to eat while roaming around the living room. Newtons ground into the floor, newtons in hair, newtons between toes, newtons in crumbles... Fig Newtons are mommy-directed or to be given in their feeding chairs. Very valuable lesson.
I also discovered a yo-baby drinkable yogurt at just over 30 calories an ounce. The girls will often drink these things from their straw cups when they refuse their bottles. And, then there is coconut cream. 130 calories AN OUNCE! Holy Moly! Can they just drink it straight? So yogurt (180cal/6 ounces), plus an ounce of heavy whipping cream (~100 cal) + a little coconut cream (~100cal) = ~380 calories for about 7.5 ounces - an amazing 46.6 calories an ounce. Woo Hoo. Add in a fig newton and we've got ourselves a meal, baby!
A special Warning: Do not try this at home. While Fig Newtons are great for calorie deprived babies, they are not good for calorie-restricted mommies. A glass of milk and 4 Fig Newtons at 1am after feeding the babies is bad. Bad, bad, bad, bad.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Happy 16 months Birthday!
I know, this month to month thing is getting ridiculous. I can't help it. I love seeing how they change month to month. You don't really notice it when you look at them every day, but when you look at the big picture you notice things - like new teeth and their growing hair.
Here are today's pics. I'm not really thrilled with them and will probably try again tomorrow. Abby was very uncooperative. She kept trying to pick up and eat the leaves on the deck and wouldn't stick her tongue back in her mouth. They are also too busy to get a good shot of them together. That's actually becoming the hardest part. They won't sit still together. And then, try to get two babies to smile at the same time. Now you know why we have so many pictures of them ( at last count). We have to take 10 to get one good one!
Natalie
Abby
Here are today's pics. I'm not really thrilled with them and will probably try again tomorrow. Abby was very uncooperative. She kept trying to pick up and eat the leaves on the deck and wouldn't stick her tongue back in her mouth. They are also too busy to get a good shot of them together. That's actually becoming the hardest part. They won't sit still together. And then, try to get two babies to smile at the same time. Now you know why we have so many pictures of them ( at last count). We have to take 10 to get one good one!
Natalie
Abby
A few updates
I have a few things to report:
Natalie is finally getting more teeth! The right top tooth is coming in, and has been for about a week. I can also finally see her elusive bottom tooth. It's just now poking through. I'm quite happy since if it were not, she would have a bottom tooth on the left side bottom and a top tooth on the right side. I'm pretty sure that makes chewing rather difficult.
Yesterday, and again today, Natalie copied me and tried to stack one block on top of another to create a tower. She couldn't quite do it, but you could see she was getting the idea. She has also been babbling like crazy. Abby used to be the loud one, but now it's Natalie. She also loves to walk around. She gets such a delight from it - laughing and giggling. It's really cute.
I am declaring that Abby has her first word - kitty. She has actually been using it for a while. She will use it when seeing our cats and sometimes when she sees a picture in a book. She has also been using a lot of different sounds. She will copy us and make a monkey sound after we do it a few times. We also been working hard on getting her to meow. I think she is trying to do it. She makes some sound, although it doesn't sound too much like meow. But, she seems to make the same sound, so I guess it counts. Both girls can say da-da and ma-ma, but we are still waiting for them to actually call us da-da and ma-ma.
Abby has also become really cuddly. She will run to me and bury her face in my shoulder. Then she'll move away, and come running back. It's so sweet. Natalie runs to us too, but she more stops and sits on our lap than gives cuddly hugs.
Oh, Abby has developed another little trick as well - biting. I knew it was a matter of time. I may have mentioned it before, but she bit me good at my dad's. I yelped in pain and told her no biting (rather strongly). She was so startled, she started crying :-( She has a tendency to lunge towards a person with an open mouth. We watch for it, though, and she responds pretty well to "don't bite" - if we catch it in time. I'm pretty sure she's bitten Natalie a few times. There have been a few bouts of unexplained crying. Abby better watch out though. Natalie's getting that top tooth, and then the playing field is leveled a bit.
Both girls have started picking things up and handing them to us and engaging us in their play. They are still apt to put nearly everything in their mouths, but they are also just as likely to hand it to us first. Abby especially likes to do this. While playing, they will often hand the toy to us to get us to play too. Or, if they are pretending to drink from a cup, they will offer it to us as well. They are also starting to throw balls, or at least drop them in our general direction. Natalie seems to really like playing with the balls.
Overall, their receptive language is really good. They both will follow simple directions: come here; bring me the ball; give that to mommy. They will also come from their room to the living room when called - usually:-)
It's very exciting to see Natalie and Abby discover new things and learn new things. Watching them grow is such a joy, a little bittersweet, but a joy nonetheless.
Natalie is finally getting more teeth! The right top tooth is coming in, and has been for about a week. I can also finally see her elusive bottom tooth. It's just now poking through. I'm quite happy since if it were not, she would have a bottom tooth on the left side bottom and a top tooth on the right side. I'm pretty sure that makes chewing rather difficult.
Yesterday, and again today, Natalie copied me and tried to stack one block on top of another to create a tower. She couldn't quite do it, but you could see she was getting the idea. She has also been babbling like crazy. Abby used to be the loud one, but now it's Natalie. She also loves to walk around. She gets such a delight from it - laughing and giggling. It's really cute.
I am declaring that Abby has her first word - kitty. She has actually been using it for a while. She will use it when seeing our cats and sometimes when she sees a picture in a book. She has also been using a lot of different sounds. She will copy us and make a monkey sound after we do it a few times. We also been working hard on getting her to meow. I think she is trying to do it. She makes some sound, although it doesn't sound too much like meow. But, she seems to make the same sound, so I guess it counts. Both girls can say da-da and ma-ma, but we are still waiting for them to actually call us da-da and ma-ma.
Abby has also become really cuddly. She will run to me and bury her face in my shoulder. Then she'll move away, and come running back. It's so sweet. Natalie runs to us too, but she more stops and sits on our lap than gives cuddly hugs.
Oh, Abby has developed another little trick as well - biting. I knew it was a matter of time. I may have mentioned it before, but she bit me good at my dad's. I yelped in pain and told her no biting (rather strongly). She was so startled, she started crying :-( She has a tendency to lunge towards a person with an open mouth. We watch for it, though, and she responds pretty well to "don't bite" - if we catch it in time. I'm pretty sure she's bitten Natalie a few times. There have been a few bouts of unexplained crying. Abby better watch out though. Natalie's getting that top tooth, and then the playing field is leveled a bit.
Both girls have started picking things up and handing them to us and engaging us in their play. They are still apt to put nearly everything in their mouths, but they are also just as likely to hand it to us first. Abby especially likes to do this. While playing, they will often hand the toy to us to get us to play too. Or, if they are pretending to drink from a cup, they will offer it to us as well. They are also starting to throw balls, or at least drop them in our general direction. Natalie seems to really like playing with the balls.
Overall, their receptive language is really good. They both will follow simple directions: come here; bring me the ball; give that to mommy. They will also come from their room to the living room when called - usually:-)
It's very exciting to see Natalie and Abby discover new things and learn new things. Watching them grow is such a joy, a little bittersweet, but a joy nonetheless.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A Weekend with the Grandma's
My mom and mema were here this weekend. They were able to arrive earlier than usual on Friday which meant more time with the babies! I'm not sure we can call them babies anymore though. They are walking, walking everywhere. Mom and mema had not seen them walking yet, so it was a real treat.
We really didn't do anything special other than our usual playing. I insisted my mom NOT spend her time cooking and cleaning my house in some way so she could just play with the girls. She did much better, but still managed to cook dinner Saturday and do laundry. Thanks mom:-)
The girls have been really verbal lately - especially Natalie. She has just been talking and talking. I'm really glad since my mema can't see. At least she can hear them playing and talking. It makes me so happy that she is here to be with them. She has been the most wonderful grandmother and I want the girls to know her.
Really, Natalie and Abby are so blessed in the grandparent department. Ben's parents have been just wonderful. They come up almost every other weekend to play with the girls. Although Ben's grandmother is far away, she has been able to see the girls a few times. My dad and step-mother have also been wonderful. They drove 6 hours each way every single weekend the girls were in the hospital. They would arrive about 11pm Friday night, see the girls, sleep, see the girls in the morning, and leave again by noon the next day. Since coming home, they have been able to come down quite a lot, especially over the summer. We've been able to go to my mom and mema's three times in the last year, and they come down as often as they can between my mom's on-call weekends for work.
My grandmother was such an inspiration and blessing to me. I know I have mentioned it before, but whenever I'm around her, I am reminded of all our good times together. It wasn't the things she bought us (I can't remember what we received for Christmas or birthdays - probably a number of Barbie dolls!), but it was the time she spent with us that mattered. It was the little things: always showing up in time for school to get out so she could take us to Dairy Queen for a snack; making us macci (mac and cheese); telling us stories, especially our favorite - The Snake and the Rabbit. As we've gotten older, we have been blessed for her to become our friend.
Because my own grandmother has been so wonderful, I am repeatedly grateful that Natalie and Abigail are forging such special relationships with their grandparents. They are so incredibly blessed.
I love the girls in hats!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Oh my.
I am watching the most jaw-dropping program on TLC: "Tiaras and Toddlers". I have literally been watching with my mouth open.
It's about the beauty pageant circuit for little girls. It's a little disturbing. Well, it's a lot disturbing. I'm okay with the talent stuff and dancing around on stage. It's the outrageous costumes and hair and make-up that concern me. ***This mom just said the dress for her 7ish year old kid cost $2000!!!!*** This is to enter a pageant to win $1000. Plus, you have to pay entry fees. The one they are showcasing is up to $900. Think of what that money would be in 10 years if they put it in a college fund? Many claim to be in it for the "scholarship money". If they invested the thousands of dollars they spend each year, they wouldn't need scholarships.
One guy just said it's like "living baby dolls". Have you seen some of those fancy china baby dolls? They are scary! One of the girls is getting fake teeth - a retainer thing to hide the fact she just lost her two front teeth! And then there are the spray tans and fake eyelashes and shaving of their legs and who knows what else. I just can't imagine.
I know little kids like to dress up. And, maybe there is something to be said for getting on stage and having self-confidence. But the sexualization of these kids is just disturbing. It permeates everything they do: the fancy outfits, grown-up hair and fake teeth, the heavy make-up, and even the sexualized dance moves that many of them do.
I want my little girls to be little girls. If they want to dress up like princesses and dress around, I'll all for it. But, they can do it here at home and use baby powder as "makeup".
It's about the beauty pageant circuit for little girls. It's a little disturbing. Well, it's a lot disturbing. I'm okay with the talent stuff and dancing around on stage. It's the outrageous costumes and hair and make-up that concern me. ***This mom just said the dress for her 7ish year old kid cost $2000!!!!*** This is to enter a pageant to win $1000. Plus, you have to pay entry fees. The one they are showcasing is up to $900. Think of what that money would be in 10 years if they put it in a college fund? Many claim to be in it for the "scholarship money". If they invested the thousands of dollars they spend each year, they wouldn't need scholarships.
One guy just said it's like "living baby dolls". Have you seen some of those fancy china baby dolls? They are scary! One of the girls is getting fake teeth - a retainer thing to hide the fact she just lost her two front teeth! And then there are the spray tans and fake eyelashes and shaving of their legs and who knows what else. I just can't imagine.
I know little kids like to dress up. And, maybe there is something to be said for getting on stage and having self-confidence. But the sexualization of these kids is just disturbing. It permeates everything they do: the fancy outfits, grown-up hair and fake teeth, the heavy make-up, and even the sexualized dance moves that many of them do.
I want my little girls to be little girls. If they want to dress up like princesses and dress around, I'll all for it. But, they can do it here at home and use baby powder as "makeup".
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Not as Bad as I Thought...
Our pediatrician appointment - that is.
My dad brought us all the way home Thursday afternoon (the girls were great!), and we geared up for our appointment on Friday. It went better than I expected. Natalie weighed in at 16#2oz and was 28.25 inches tall. Abby was 16#10oz and was 28.5inches tall. Their weight gain was poor, as expected. Our last check-up was May 19. Natalie has only gained 2 pounds since then. Abby has only gained one pound, 10 ounces. On the plus side, they have each grown about 2 inches and actually made a chart!
Overall, our dr. was very pleased with them. She said we were doing a great job and developmentally, they were incredible. Of course, she said they need to gain more weight. She gave me more handouts on how to increase calories, but did not mention the dreaded g-tube. She suggested we add protein powder to their food to make sure they get enough, since they need that to grow.
I am becoming less concerned about their weight gain, and more focused on their calorie intake. If they were eating what they should and not gaining lots of weight, it would be okay, since we would know they were getting what their bodies need. But, since they are only getting about 60% of the calories they need, it concerns me. We actually have a nutritionist coming soon to help us figure out the best way to get them exactly what they need. The problem is, even if they were eating 1000 calories a day, if it's all in sugar or carbs, it's still not good. They need a certain amount of fat and protein. So, the food saga continues. We still have an appointment with SICC Oct 7th, but maybe we will make up some ground by then.
My dad brought us all the way home Thursday afternoon (the girls were great!), and we geared up for our appointment on Friday. It went better than I expected. Natalie weighed in at 16#2oz and was 28.25 inches tall. Abby was 16#10oz and was 28.5inches tall. Their weight gain was poor, as expected. Our last check-up was May 19. Natalie has only gained 2 pounds since then. Abby has only gained one pound, 10 ounces. On the plus side, they have each grown about 2 inches and actually made a chart!
Overall, our dr. was very pleased with them. She said we were doing a great job and developmentally, they were incredible. Of course, she said they need to gain more weight. She gave me more handouts on how to increase calories, but did not mention the dreaded g-tube. She suggested we add protein powder to their food to make sure they get enough, since they need that to grow.
I am becoming less concerned about their weight gain, and more focused on their calorie intake. If they were eating what they should and not gaining lots of weight, it would be okay, since we would know they were getting what their bodies need. But, since they are only getting about 60% of the calories they need, it concerns me. We actually have a nutritionist coming soon to help us figure out the best way to get them exactly what they need. The problem is, even if they were eating 1000 calories a day, if it's all in sugar or carbs, it's still not good. They need a certain amount of fat and protein. So, the food saga continues. We still have an appointment with SICC Oct 7th, but maybe we will make up some ground by then.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Housekeeping
I realize I haven't given any good general updates lately - so here are a few housekeeping bits...
Walking - EVERYWHERE! The girls have decided that walking in the preferred method of transportation in most circumstances. They walk across the living room, to toys, to me, to the dogs here - most everywhere. A first attempt by walking is usually made to travel, and if they fall down, sometimes crawling is still the fall back method. More often than not, they stand back up and try again. I have to say that Natalie seems most delighted with her ability to walk. She seems to persevere harder and does so with a huge grin of satisfaction.
Eating Not so much. *big sigh* Feeding has been a real challenge. The last few weeks have been pretty bad. We have weighed them weekly and have seen either minuscule gains of an ounce or two or, worse, a loss of an ounce or two. I don't have my records here, but I suspect they have only gained about 3 ounces in the last month. This is very, very bad.
I'm not sure exactly what the problem is. They have even turned up their noses at the old standby - fat-filled greek yogurt. I even tried it with chocolate syrup. Abby liked it, but Natalie didn't seem to. And by liked it, I mean ate about one ounce. They are eating less and less pedisure* and not liking their solids. They do still beg like puppies to eat anything we are eating, so they still have interest in food. They just only want 4 or 5 bites and are finished.
* I'm not sure I mentioned, but we have switched from formula to Pedisure. Their one year adjusted birthday was August 20. Usually you transition to whole milk, but the pedisure has a more complete nutrition - and I think more calories. They seem to like the chocolate a good bit, so I mix it with the vanilla. The downside is that it stains their clothes quite a bit. I do a lot more spraying and soaking now!
So - what to do. We are trying benecalorie, a nifty soluble that looks a bit like watery sour cream. One and half ounces has 350 calories in it. I mix it in their food and their bear-straw cups. (I've discovered it clogs up the nipples of their bottles). Because it has such a high fat content, it can be overwhelming to the system, so we can only mix a little at a time. Also because of the high fat (probably due to the oil), it is very slick and also stains. It's also much harder to get out. It's like pouring olive oil on your clothes. I've also been adding whole whipping cream to foods and their bottles. Oh, and Duocal. And butter where appropriate.
Today was one of their best eating days in weeks. They drank their morning bottle well and then ate a great snack at Poppy's. I made macaroni pasta with Alfredo sauce. I also added Benecalorie, whipping cream and duocal. The little 4 oz container I made had about 450 calories. Hey, at least the pasta was whole wheat. They loved it. It's hard to know how many calories they actually ate, but more than zero, so that's a step forward. Plus, at Walmart, I discovered this yogurt drink with a fruit juice blend. I'd never seen it before, but they LOVE IT! It's 110 for 4 oz. I add 2 tablespoons of cream for another 100cal. So, about 40 calories an ounce! They drink it up! I put it in the honey bear straw cup. Today, Abby grabbed the thing, hung on to it and sucked down at least two ounces almost without stopping. Woo hoo! After their non-nap, we had more yogurt juice and pasta. Then Natalie ate 160mls before bed and Abby drained her 180ishml bottle. She may have eaten more, but 180mls is all it holds. We've never had them eat that much before! Hopefully, their midnight bottles will also be successful.
If you noticed before, we are returning on a Thursday. This is because we have peds appointment Friday for their 15 month check-up. There will be shots, but there will also be weighing and measuring and discussion of how much weight they have NOT gained. I'm really quite worried about it. I'm not sure what else we can do at this point. Other than a feeding tube, their just isn't anything else to do but keep trying. I definitely don't think we are willing to try the g-tube unless presented with some evidence of some pretty dire consequences if we don't.
Teeth I may have forgotten to mention that the girls finally have teeth. Well, Natalie only has one, but still. She has one little bottom tooth, and I swear, I have seen the other one trying to poke through. Then it retreats and hides again. It's very strange. Abby has four teeth! The bottom two and the top center two. She can really take a chunk from an apple - or your finger or arm or...She actually only bites down if you stick your fingers in her mouth, and then, who can blame her. I think I've seen her try to bite down on Natalie's arms when she wants her to move, but so far, she hasn't really. It's only a matter of time I am sure. The girls actually spend a lot of time sticking their fingers in each other's mouths. I guess when they start chomping down on each other, they'll figure it out.
Misc I just thought I'd mention what a funny little giggler Natalie is. She gets in these moods and just giggles and laughs. Yesterday with Poppy and Nanny, they said she started laughing and giggled for 30 minutes - all the way home. When she falls down - she giggles. When she bonks her head - she giggles. Sometimes she and Abby will look at each other and start giggling. It's really funny - and very sweet.
Okay - that's enough for now. I still have some back-posting to do about some trips and such, but those involve pictures and have to wait until I get home. It's baby feeding time and then nite-nite for Mommy. Sleep tight!
Walking - EVERYWHERE! The girls have decided that walking in the preferred method of transportation in most circumstances. They walk across the living room, to toys, to me, to the dogs here - most everywhere. A first attempt by walking is usually made to travel, and if they fall down, sometimes crawling is still the fall back method. More often than not, they stand back up and try again. I have to say that Natalie seems most delighted with her ability to walk. She seems to persevere harder and does so with a huge grin of satisfaction.
Eating Not so much. *big sigh* Feeding has been a real challenge. The last few weeks have been pretty bad. We have weighed them weekly and have seen either minuscule gains of an ounce or two or, worse, a loss of an ounce or two. I don't have my records here, but I suspect they have only gained about 3 ounces in the last month. This is very, very bad.
I'm not sure exactly what the problem is. They have even turned up their noses at the old standby - fat-filled greek yogurt. I even tried it with chocolate syrup. Abby liked it, but Natalie didn't seem to. And by liked it, I mean ate about one ounce. They are eating less and less pedisure* and not liking their solids. They do still beg like puppies to eat anything we are eating, so they still have interest in food. They just only want 4 or 5 bites and are finished.
* I'm not sure I mentioned, but we have switched from formula to Pedisure. Their one year adjusted birthday was August 20. Usually you transition to whole milk, but the pedisure has a more complete nutrition - and I think more calories. They seem to like the chocolate a good bit, so I mix it with the vanilla. The downside is that it stains their clothes quite a bit. I do a lot more spraying and soaking now!
So - what to do. We are trying benecalorie, a nifty soluble that looks a bit like watery sour cream. One and half ounces has 350 calories in it. I mix it in their food and their bear-straw cups. (I've discovered it clogs up the nipples of their bottles). Because it has such a high fat content, it can be overwhelming to the system, so we can only mix a little at a time. Also because of the high fat (probably due to the oil), it is very slick and also stains. It's also much harder to get out. It's like pouring olive oil on your clothes. I've also been adding whole whipping cream to foods and their bottles. Oh, and Duocal. And butter where appropriate.
Today was one of their best eating days in weeks. They drank their morning bottle well and then ate a great snack at Poppy's. I made macaroni pasta with Alfredo sauce. I also added Benecalorie, whipping cream and duocal. The little 4 oz container I made had about 450 calories. Hey, at least the pasta was whole wheat. They loved it. It's hard to know how many calories they actually ate, but more than zero, so that's a step forward. Plus, at Walmart, I discovered this yogurt drink with a fruit juice blend. I'd never seen it before, but they LOVE IT! It's 110 for 4 oz. I add 2 tablespoons of cream for another 100cal. So, about 40 calories an ounce! They drink it up! I put it in the honey bear straw cup. Today, Abby grabbed the thing, hung on to it and sucked down at least two ounces almost without stopping. Woo hoo! After their non-nap, we had more yogurt juice and pasta. Then Natalie ate 160mls before bed and Abby drained her 180ishml bottle. She may have eaten more, but 180mls is all it holds. We've never had them eat that much before! Hopefully, their midnight bottles will also be successful.
If you noticed before, we are returning on a Thursday. This is because we have peds appointment Friday for their 15 month check-up. There will be shots, but there will also be weighing and measuring and discussion of how much weight they have NOT gained. I'm really quite worried about it. I'm not sure what else we can do at this point. Other than a feeding tube, their just isn't anything else to do but keep trying. I definitely don't think we are willing to try the g-tube unless presented with some evidence of some pretty dire consequences if we don't.
Teeth I may have forgotten to mention that the girls finally have teeth. Well, Natalie only has one, but still. She has one little bottom tooth, and I swear, I have seen the other one trying to poke through. Then it retreats and hides again. It's very strange. Abby has four teeth! The bottom two and the top center two. She can really take a chunk from an apple - or your finger or arm or...She actually only bites down if you stick your fingers in her mouth, and then, who can blame her. I think I've seen her try to bite down on Natalie's arms when she wants her to move, but so far, she hasn't really. It's only a matter of time I am sure. The girls actually spend a lot of time sticking their fingers in each other's mouths. I guess when they start chomping down on each other, they'll figure it out.
Misc I just thought I'd mention what a funny little giggler Natalie is. She gets in these moods and just giggles and laughs. Yesterday with Poppy and Nanny, they said she started laughing and giggled for 30 minutes - all the way home. When she falls down - she giggles. When she bonks her head - she giggles. Sometimes she and Abby will look at each other and start giggling. It's really funny - and very sweet.
Okay - that's enough for now. I still have some back-posting to do about some trips and such, but those involve pictures and have to wait until I get home. It's baby feeding time and then nite-nite for Mommy. Sleep tight!
Life in the Wilderness
If you haven't figured it out, we, girls, are in Virginia with Poppy and Nanny. We all drove up Friday night and Ben stayed until Sunday. Aunt Kimmy was here too, until Monday afternoon, so it's been a real treat. Poppy will be bringing us home on Thursday.
We are having a grand ole time here in Virginny. Yesterday, Poppy and Nanny took Natalie and Abby for some special time - giving mommy a nice break. They were gone for hours, and I'm not even sure what all they did. I know there was a Walmart trip (of course) and the purchase of a toy (duh!). There was also a trip to the "Greenway" (a beautiful walking/jogging/whatever trail that hugs the Shenandoah River through town) and I think ice cream involved at some point. Pretty much typical grandparent stuff.
Today, we visited Poppy at his school as he taught his Old Testament class. I think his students were pretty thrilled by the distraction we caused. We then ate lunch with a couple of his co-workers, then back home for a not really sleeping, but mommy made them stay in their beds an hour anyway nap. The catnaps in the car messed up their napping. After the non-nap, we played and played until Poppy and Nanny came home. The new favorite toy here is a bouncy chair usually used for entertaining and soothing little babies. The girls never used them much as little babies, but have now rediscovered it as their own personal trampoline. They climb in and sit towards the back and by rocking up and down, it bounces, bounces, bounces. They love it. Especially Natalie. She's an especially good bouncer.
Poppy and Nanny entertained the girls a little while so Mommy could have a break, and then it was an early dinner and bedtime. They were both SO tired. Little Abby even fell asleep in Poppy's lap while I was feeding Natalie. That's something that almost never happens. It was really sweet though.
The day is almost over - in a few minutes, I'll give them their last bottles and hit the hay myself.
I can't really explain how beautiful it is here. I'll try to post a picture - when I'm back home. They live in the most beautiful spot in the whole valley - surrounded by mountains on all sides. It's so peaceful. I'm really glad the girls are getting to spend this time with Nanny and Poppy and make special memories. Even if they won't really remember, somewhere deep inside they'll always know. Grandparents are so special and Natalie and Abby are very blessed with amazing grandparents from all sides. What lucky, lucky little girls.
We are having a grand ole time here in Virginny. Yesterday, Poppy and Nanny took Natalie and Abby for some special time - giving mommy a nice break. They were gone for hours, and I'm not even sure what all they did. I know there was a Walmart trip (of course) and the purchase of a toy (duh!). There was also a trip to the "Greenway" (a beautiful walking/jogging/whatever trail that hugs the Shenandoah River through town) and I think ice cream involved at some point. Pretty much typical grandparent stuff.
Today, we visited Poppy at his school as he taught his Old Testament class. I think his students were pretty thrilled by the distraction we caused. We then ate lunch with a couple of his co-workers, then back home for a not really sleeping, but mommy made them stay in their beds an hour anyway nap. The catnaps in the car messed up their napping. After the non-nap, we played and played until Poppy and Nanny came home. The new favorite toy here is a bouncy chair usually used for entertaining and soothing little babies. The girls never used them much as little babies, but have now rediscovered it as their own personal trampoline. They climb in and sit towards the back and by rocking up and down, it bounces, bounces, bounces. They love it. Especially Natalie. She's an especially good bouncer.
Poppy and Nanny entertained the girls a little while so Mommy could have a break, and then it was an early dinner and bedtime. They were both SO tired. Little Abby even fell asleep in Poppy's lap while I was feeding Natalie. That's something that almost never happens. It was really sweet though.
The day is almost over - in a few minutes, I'll give them their last bottles and hit the hay myself.
I can't really explain how beautiful it is here. I'll try to post a picture - when I'm back home. They live in the most beautiful spot in the whole valley - surrounded by mountains on all sides. It's so peaceful. I'm really glad the girls are getting to spend this time with Nanny and Poppy and make special memories. Even if they won't really remember, somewhere deep inside they'll always know. Grandparents are so special and Natalie and Abby are very blessed with amazing grandparents from all sides. What lucky, lucky little girls.
Monday, September 1, 2008
To Boldly Go Where No Blogger Has Gone Before
Greetings...
I write to you from the far reaches of a civilization nestled in the quiet mountains of Virginia. The journey here was long and curvy, full of bathrooms breaks, and being squished in the back seat between two car seats while trying to feed the babies.
This ancient community is one of idiosyncrasies. While possessing such modern conveniences as a SuperWalmart, pockets of settlers still exist who reside firmly in the dark ages and rely on dial-up for their internet window to the world. As a thoughtful traveler eager to experience the culture of an area - no matter how backward and archaic - I have ventured onto the world wide web via the internet equivalent of a horse and buggy.
My explorations have led me to one conclusion: the great people of this valley have the patience of Job. Whatever trials and tasks one might endure to test one's patience, one has not been truly tested until one has attempted to check one's email using dail-up. It is a task that would drive even a monk insane. Watching the little blue bar at the bottom of the page slowly, slowly, slowly creep towards complete. The joy experienced at the sight of the word "done" popping into view is cut short when one realizes the computer was unable to capture the image and all that one sees is a blank white screen. The whiteness taunts you, laughing at your disappointment and frustration - daring you to try again. Some try. A few succeed. Many give up, deciding that it is better to fail to try, than to try and fail. Others try over and over and over to no avail and finally run screaming into the starlit night. They flee, not noticing the cow fields until it is too late and they have tripped on a cow patty.
For my part, I have fallen somewhere between. I shall pick my battles with this horse and buggy. I will tentatively check email that appears to be text-only, avoiding anything that suggests that pictures are included. I will attempt to report on my traveling companions, Natalie and Abigail, but avoid attempts at posting pictures. Should I try, I am certain I could chew my way through a steel trap before the pictures would appear.
I will attempt contact again, but horses can be unpredictable. Do not fret should communication be short and/or sporadic. Just now, I have narrowly avoided disaster when the internet connection timed out and I was forced to "reconnect". Fearful of impending disconnection and a loss of my message, I must leave quickly.
Take care dear friends...until we meet again on the internet superhighway.
ps - cell phone service is spotty as well. In case of emergency, I can be paged at the SuperWalmart.
I write to you from the far reaches of a civilization nestled in the quiet mountains of Virginia. The journey here was long and curvy, full of bathrooms breaks, and being squished in the back seat between two car seats while trying to feed the babies.
This ancient community is one of idiosyncrasies. While possessing such modern conveniences as a SuperWalmart, pockets of settlers still exist who reside firmly in the dark ages and rely on dial-up for their internet window to the world. As a thoughtful traveler eager to experience the culture of an area - no matter how backward and archaic - I have ventured onto the world wide web via the internet equivalent of a horse and buggy.
My explorations have led me to one conclusion: the great people of this valley have the patience of Job. Whatever trials and tasks one might endure to test one's patience, one has not been truly tested until one has attempted to check one's email using dail-up. It is a task that would drive even a monk insane. Watching the little blue bar at the bottom of the page slowly, slowly, slowly creep towards complete. The joy experienced at the sight of the word "done" popping into view is cut short when one realizes the computer was unable to capture the image and all that one sees is a blank white screen. The whiteness taunts you, laughing at your disappointment and frustration - daring you to try again. Some try. A few succeed. Many give up, deciding that it is better to fail to try, than to try and fail. Others try over and over and over to no avail and finally run screaming into the starlit night. They flee, not noticing the cow fields until it is too late and they have tripped on a cow patty.
For my part, I have fallen somewhere between. I shall pick my battles with this horse and buggy. I will tentatively check email that appears to be text-only, avoiding anything that suggests that pictures are included. I will attempt to report on my traveling companions, Natalie and Abigail, but avoid attempts at posting pictures. Should I try, I am certain I could chew my way through a steel trap before the pictures would appear.
I will attempt contact again, but horses can be unpredictable. Do not fret should communication be short and/or sporadic. Just now, I have narrowly avoided disaster when the internet connection timed out and I was forced to "reconnect". Fearful of impending disconnection and a loss of my message, I must leave quickly.
Take care dear friends...until we meet again on the internet superhighway.
ps - cell phone service is spotty as well. In case of emergency, I can be paged at the SuperWalmart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)