Things they do

Here's a snippet of the boys' current daily doings:

Both boys are sucking on their hands more now-a-days. Especially when they are hungry, of course, but just in general, they do it more.

Neither of them is rolling. I wonder when this will start.

They both coo, but Joel does it more. Henry grunts more. He only sometimes neighs like a horse now. I miss that.

Sometimes when I get them up from their crib in the morning, they have big toothless smiles for me. Joel's smile includes his tongue.

Joel likes to stick his face in crevices, like Benjamin's armpit. I think it makes him feel safe. Or he likes the smell of Benjamin's deodorant.

I have caught each of them looking up, mesmerized, at the bear mobiles above their swings. I've thought about putting a Cal Bears sign in the middle of each of the mobiles.

Henry often sleeps through the night -- as in, 8 hours at a time. Awesome. Awesome, awesome, awesome. He's putting on weight like a champ, so I'm not too worried about the lack of feeding at night.

Joel's peach fuzz on top is getting longer, while Henry seems to be losing some of his hair and has intense "cradle cap".

Sometimes we'll hear a sort of clicking sound when Joel is asleep. When we look at him, his tongue is just a little bit out and he is sucking as if he's drinking a bottle in his sleep.

Each boy is getting better at holding his head up, although they are also really good at smacking it against the shoulder or collar bone of whoever is holding them.

I think they recognize their parents. Or at least that we are people. They will look at us when we are right next to them, and will follow us with their eyes when we walk out of the room. Unless they're looking at the bears.

Weighing in

Good job Joel! We went to Kaiser for a weight check today, and Joel has gained 5 ounces since last Thursday. I was worried that he wouldn't gain weight (or would even lose some) without the tube in. The pediatrician asked for another weight check in a week, but is okay with us continuing on without the feeding tube. Yay!

And Joel is telling me he's hungry... Please excuse us.

Two month visit: follow-up

I like Joel's sly, side-long glance and Henry's "Hiiii!!!" expression. This was taken on Tuesday, so of course they're wearing their "Toad Tuesday" shirts. Yesterday was "Winky Wednesday" with a winking giraffe. We'll see if today is "Toothy Thursday". You guys feel like wearing alligators on your onesies today? They are growing so fast that I'm not sure how much longer they will both fit in the "daily onesies".

Speaking of growth, let's give some stats from the two month visit: Joel weighed in at 11lb 9oz and measured 23.25". Henry weighed in at 14lb 1oz and measured... 23.25" too. Joel's noggin is 15.5" and Henry's is 16.75".

You'll notice that Joel does not have his nose tube in the picture above. With the approval of his doctors (cardiologist, pediatrician, and nutritionist), we decided to do a trial week without the tube. Joel is letting us know when he is hungry, but is not taking as much food as the doctors would like. He will weigh in tomorrow, and we'll see what happens from there.

Henry was a champ with his first round of immunizations. I was impressed with the nurse that administered the three shots; she was quick. He cried each time when he got stuck with the needle, but calmed down quickly. It took me a little longer to dry my eyes. Such a mom. But hey, a needle prick sure beats having polio! Isn't modern-day medicine amazing? There are so many illnesses and diseases that were once debilitating or fatal, that we can now avoid entirely or at least manage REALLY well (right, Joel?).

Two months

Wow, it must be early: I just saw the word "blogger", but read it as "booger". Anyway...

Can you believe the twins are two months old already? Crazy business. They have their two month check-up(s) later today. Any guesses on weight? I'm nervous for Henry to get his shots (Joel has to wait until two months post-surgery for his). Henry will probably do fine, but I might be a basket case. I'll see if I can post some pictures later.

Why am I up at 3:30am? Pumping between feedings. I'm grateful that at two months, the boys are still on breastmilk only. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

Okay, I'm sleepy. 'Night.