[jenedens6102]

Anna, Ethan's four month check up is next Friday the 18th - the day after he turns 4 months old. Not looking forward to round two of shots but a little more prepared I guess. I am looking forward to seenig how he's grown and talk to her about all the things coming. I also have to go to my OB that day for a fasting blood sugar draw as a follow up from my GD during pregnancy.

Adrienne, Ethan takes about 4 cat naps a day lasting from 30-45 minutes. Like Laci said it seems the minute I put him down he's back up again. Luckily he does take a long nap in the afternoons that last a few hours.

[lauriej79]

Hey girls!

Anna is right. I have been lurking, I just normally have a baby (or 2) in my arms and it is so hard to type. I am exhausted by the evenings and don't feel like getting on so late. We have been really busy and things have been crazy around here with fussy babies as well. I think that both of ours are teething as well. It is so hard when you have 2 crying babies looking at you and you are trying to decide who to hold. It breaks my heart. They are not happy though when I try to hold them both.

Anyway, our girls are consistently taking 8 ounces now 4 times a day. They take their last bottle at 8 and we put them down between 8:30 and 9 and they sleep until between 7:30 and 8am. They take about a 3 hour nap in the morning up until their noontime feeding and then after that it is catnaps until bedtime. No solid afternoon nap. (at least not consistently). I took Avery for a kidney ultrasound last week and the dialtion in her kidneys is still their. Prominently in her left one. The pediatrician wants her to see a urologist and is going to give us the referral tomorrow at our 4 month checkup. So lots going on around here.

Oh last thing, you know our babies had been rolling over front to back. Presley first and then Avery. Well Presley has now mastered rolling from her back to her belly as well. It is so funny to see them do this stuff! One day they are going to just start rolling and rolling and rolling across the floor.

I am glad that everyones little ones are doing well for the most part minus the occasional fussiness. It just sucks that the teething can last for SOOOOO long. I mean they have a lot of teeth to cut and Anna we are in for it with 2 of them. I saw a friend of mines 14 month old yesterday and she only has 4 teeth so it is going to go on a long time.

[jenedens6102]

Laurie, sorry to hear that both girls are teething as well. It's definitely not fun. Ethan kicked up his fits this weekend and it just breaks my heart. I know he's in pain but we are a bit limited (unless we just keep giving him tylenol which we don't want to do) on how we can help him. I did finally break down and bought some teething tablets last night. We gave him two just after he finished his last bottle of the night and he slept so much better, not as restless. He has his four month appointment on Thursday so we'll all compare notes soon. Oh and on the rolling note, Ethan hasn't rolled over since the first time I saw him roll belly to back. However, he sure does kick and swoop those legs up and gets over onto his side but his arm is in the way. He can scoot in a circle but doesn't quite roll over yet. I know it's coming soon though.

Anna, how is the job going?

[lauriej79]

Well after our doctor's appointment, I guess I was wrong about the teething. He almost laughed when I told him about it. He said that in his 30+ years experience that he had seen 1 baby that was teething or had cut teeth by 4-5 months. I described what they were doing which is drooling and putting their hands in the mouths all the time and he said "that is what they are supposed to do". Avery is the one that has been fussing so much and over the last week she has developed a rash and has been spitting up A LOT with her reflux. She is the one that can be perfectly content and then just scream out like someone has just pinched the fire out of her. We determined that the fussiness, extra spit and eczema (not a rash like I thought) is what is causing the problems and since it has only been in the last 2 weeks he feels sure that it is the switching from breastmilk to formula. I don't know why I hadn't thought of that already. Anyway, he switched Avery only to Enfamil Nutramigan which is VERY expensive. I went and bought a smalll can of it (because that is all they sell) and it was $27.99!!!

Their stats were

Avery

12 pounds 4 ounces, 25 inches long

Presley

12 pounds even, 24.5 inches long

He said they were just going to be long and lean which he said was good. He said if they can gain weight at a steady rate and not get fat they are doing great. They were in the 92th and 93rd percentile for their height but only in the 57th and 58th for weight. Oh, and he said we could start solids at our own discretion between now and the next checkup but later than sooner. He said not to rush it but we could certainly experiment with it.

He said that they were doing great but that for the 1st year we always needed to keep in mind what their age really was. Basically 4 months minus 6 weeks would equal a 2 1/2 month old. He is meaning by when we are reaching milestones to keep in mind that they will probably be a little behind than other babies their age. For instance with Avery's neck strength. He said Avery is right on track and Presley is a little ahead.

All in all I felt good about everything. Hopefullly this formula will make a difference and they are calling me tomorrow with the date for the urologist appointment for Avery.

Sorry for such a long post! Lot's of info today.

[amfandrmf]

Laurie, I can't believe the girls aren't teething! I thought for sure with all the fussing. Well, hopefully, the formula will help them out. I can't imagine what it could be for my girls. Anyways, I hope Avery's appt with the urologist goes well. Let us know right away. The girls are getting big! I can't believe both are at least 12 lbs. I think Mila will have hit that mark but Maddie I'm guessing will be maybe be close to 10 lbs. That's my prediction. I know its hard not to compare ours to full term babies. I sometimes think they should be more developed then they are and forget that they were 6 weeks early.

Jen, I can't wait to hear how big Ethan is now! I'm guessing 15 lbs. I'm sorry he has been so fussy. We all just have really fussy babies right now. It makes it really hard, doesn't it? Although, Maddie fussing isn't keeping her up at night. I think she'd sleep all night if it wasn't for her sister who can't go without her 3 a.m. feeding.

So...the job is going great! I really enjoy what I'm doing but it is really hard to learn all this new info. I sometimes think I'll never know what I'm doing because there is so much to learn. It is hard to start a career in the medical field when you really don't have much experience in it. Everything is brand new to me and very foreign. But, every one is very nice and I think it will be a great fit. Its nice to connect with all the mothers that come in the clinic, especially the ones with twins. It is really hard for me to find time to post now. I don't start work until 8:30 a.m., but I have to get myself and the girls ready and take them over to my mom's so I get up at 5:30 a.m.! If I would have had this job before the girls, I wouldn't have had to get up until 7a.m. at the earliest. Ah, the new responsibilities of being a parent. I also can't post at work and by the time I get home and eat dinner its 6 p.m. and then we start getting the girls ready for bed around 7:30 p.m. Doesn't leave much time for anything at all.

[jenedens6102]

Laurie, can you see any white buds in their gums? I can disprove your doctor in a heartbeat. Ethan has two very distinct white buds in his gums and he finds relieve when you massage them. Ethan's fits start the same way. He can be perfectly content and laughing his big belly laughs one minute then scream like someone just tried to pinch him or hurt him in a bad way. So if you think the girls are teething just keep watching their gums, they very well may be. While he might be right in saying that the teeth don't come through until 5 months or after it doesn't mean they aren't in the gums working their way up. I know Ethan has a good deal of gum to work through yet but they are without a doubt there.

Their stats look great. They do sound like they are going to be long and lean but you are relatively tall too right?

Anna, Ethan is already over 16 pounds I can say that just based on us weighing him here. So time to up your guess! Ethan isn't kept up at night he just is a very restless sleeper, he kicks his legs and brings his hands up to his mouth but he doesn't wake up. He's still sleeping 9-10 hours a night. He might get up for a bottle at five but tends to go back down for at least an hour if he does.

As for the job I can relate. I went from payroll processing for a restaurant (Steak n Shake) to customer service for a manufacturing plant. Talk about learning from scratch, I still think a ton of it is German to me but I do the best I can and two years later I'm still learning a little as I go. I also get up at least two hours before I have to be at work, unless Ethan wakes me up sooner. I try and get myself ready so that when Ethan wakes up I can get him changed, put in his clothes for the day and fed before he lashes out in his hunger strike. I think I've worn makeup a handful of time since he's been here. If the hair is done we are doing great!

[amfandrmf]

Jen, wow I am way off! OK, let's see...my next guess will be...17 lbs 2 oz. I hope he's not over that amount! Oh, and hopefully I won't have to get up so early anymore. DH is going to be offered a position at Kohls. He is currently contracted through them, but they want to hire him on as a permanent employee! This means that his hours will change. He'll be working 12 hour shifts and he work 3 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on 3 days off...something like that. He'll be starting later, so it will then be his responsibility to take the girls to grandmas house. Woohoo! I'll get to sleep until 7 a.m.!

The girls have their 4 month check up tomorrow. I'm a little nervous because I was able to miss their shots last time since I was sick. I stayed home while DH and my mom dealt with them last time. I don't know how I'll be seeing them get their shots. Ugh...I am hoping I can handle this.

[amfandrmf]

So, the appt went well. The girls did really great with their shots. Right now they're just in their swings talking and smiling like normal. It doesn't even seem like they had shots! The doc confirmed that both girls are teething and Mila is teething worse! Which I had no idea. She doesn't like us looking in her mouth and she hasn't been temperamental at all. So, we just assumed it was only Maddie teething.

Maddie is 10 lbs exactly and Mila is 13 lbs exactly! I couldn't believe how big Mila is now. The doc also wants the girls to get evaluated because they are borderline for where they should be right now. Since being preemies they aren't doing things that full-term babies would be doing. So, I guess they come to the house. She said they should be rolling over and lifting their heads more. DH was a little insulted because he thinks they will eventually catch up. I just was curious to hear what they will say, so I said it would be okay.

Jen, good luck tomorrow at your appt! I can't wait to hear how Ethan did and how big he is.

Laurie, how have you been? Still crazy busy for you?

How are all the other mothers doing lately?

[adwalker]

Laurie, My son had teeth at 5 months, 2 of them in fact... I hope everything goes well with Avery and her appointment...Please keep us updated.

Anna, I worry about Madison too. She still won't hold her head up very well and is no where close to rolling over yet. Let us know what the "specialist" says. I think Madison just really hates being on her stomach. She starts to cry as soon as I start to put her on her tummy.

Jen, you are so lucky Ethan sleeps that well. We just weighed Madison here at home. 15.5 lbs Oh my...

Now I can't wait for her 4 month appt. It isn't until the 14th of August. We continue to be about a month behind...

My big question is Maddie won't take a bottle of any kind now. She is strictly breastfed and I can't leave her with anyone. She used to take the platex drop-ins and now she even turns her nose up at them, let alone formula. What am I to do..? She will be in kindergarten crying for mommy's boobie. I was trying to give the bottle to her for about ten minutes the other day and she just screamed. I finally gave in.

[lauriej79]

Anna- I am sorry to hear the doctor say that about the girls but I am sure everything is fine. I said this in another post but I questioned about Avery not being as strong as Presley and he told me to remember that both babies were individuals and that we could not compare them. She holds her head up pretty good but still nothing like Presley. He said Avery was doing what she was supposed to be doing and Presley was advanced. He said I in now way needed to look at it like Avery was behind. Plus your girls are even more preemie than mine are. I mean look at Ethan, Jen didn't you say that he is not rolling over yet? A good friend of mines baby is crazy big like Ethan is and he had no interest in rolling over whatsoever. he started rolling at about the same time he was sitting up! I honestly thing a lot of it had to do with his size. That is crazy about their weights. Ours are staying neck to neck. I can't imagine a 3 pound difference. What about clothes? Are you having a hard time with that?

Jen - Good luck today with your appointment. I can't really tell about the white bumps. I mean the area where a tooth should come in looks a little white but I can't really tell. Can't wait to hear about Ethan's stats.

Adwaker - I can't believe how big Maddie is! That is nuts. I guess our girls are going to be long and skinny. Something would be wrong if they weren't tall. I am 5.11, DH is 6.1, my dad and brother are both 6.3 and 6.4 so its in the genes. I just hate it because they have all these cute outfits with these little shorts and pants and the length is perfect but I stand them up and they just fall right down. As far as the breastfeeding, I don't have any advice. I have a friend who's baby did the same thing. She was a nurse at the hospital here and worked a couple of night shifts and it was so bad that her husband had to drive to the hospital a couple of times just so she could eat because she refused the bottle!!! She finally gave it up though.

Here are some pictures from our appointment. They are getting SOOOO big. I looked at the ones from our very first appointment and they are so tiny!

[adwalker]

Laurie, how cute!! I never thought to take pics at appointments, good idea. My family is on the tall side too. DH is 6.1, dad ond brothers are 6.3 and 6.4...more like linebackers though, not fat but large men. The doc said not to worry, BF babies are usually on the chunky side.

Madison at the Fireworks
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Madison has discovered her hands!!!
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Daddy's first purchase without mom, new shoes!!
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[adwalker]

My Dh just surprised me with the CD of all of our portraits we had taken the other day. Here are some...

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[amfandrmf]

Adrienne, oh so cute!!!!!!!!!!! I just ADORE her yellow outfit and that little headband. Just precious. They really did a great job with the pics. I just love all of the pics of Maddie. Tell DH I love the shoes he picked too. I can't believe how big she is for not even being 4 months yet!

Laurie, I love your pics too! I NEVER thought about taking pics at the docs office. Neat idea! I know what your saying though...I just have to slap myself every time I think my girls are behind. I know they're just fine. The doc just got me nervous again. So, ya, the girls are in different sizes. Makes for interesting laundry and a pain on storage. Maddie is still in 0-3, in some newborn sizes and even has two outfits of a preemie size that still fits her! Mila is now officially in all 3-6 sizes, except for dresses. Her caboose isn't big enough for the little undies that go with them. And she has the larger of the two 'booses! Ya, that's what my husband calls it a boose, since its so tiny you can't add the ca-boom in it. Two tiny booses in our household.

Jen, how was your appt? I can't wait to hear! Where are you?

[wannabemom]

Originally Posted by adwalker

Laurie, My son had teeth at 5 months, 2 of them in fact... I hope everything goes well with Avery and her appointment...Please keep us updated.

Anna, I worry about Madison too. She still won't hold her head up very well and is no where close to rolling over yet. Let us know what the "specialist" says. I think Madison just really hates being on her stomach. She starts to cry as soon as I start to put her on her tummy.

Jen, you are so lucky Ethan sleeps that well. We just weighed Madison here at home. 15.5 lbs Oh my...

Now I can't wait for her 4 month appt. It isn't until the 14th of August. We continue to be about a month behind...

My big question is Maddie won't take a bottle of any kind now. She is strictly breastfed and I can't leave her with anyone. She used to take the platex drop-ins and now she even turns her nose up at them, let alone formula. What am I to do..? She will be in kindergarten crying for mommy's boobie. I was trying to give the bottle to her for about ten minutes the other day and she just screamed. I finally gave in.

Hi March Mommies!

I've been reading your posts about teething. So my son has had this white appearing bud that looks like he's teething since he was 10 weeks old. I'm getting mix messages that he is and that he isn't. But it sure looks like he is though. Initially, he was very irritable; he drooled and kept on knawing at his fingers forever. We won't find out for sure until he has his 4 month check up in two weeks. What do you suppose it is if it's not teething?

Thanks!