Growing!

The boys are 7 months & 2 weeks old now! Their personalities are so BIG and they really are (for the most part) very happy babies. (MiMi might think otherwise after the fit they threw for her the other night at bedtime! ha! but, OVERALL, happy boys! We LOVE you MiMi!). A couple weeks ago, they weighed in at 18lbs10oz (August) and 18lbs5oz (Graham).

ABOUT AUGUST:

August has sprouted his first two teeth (front bottom) and is scooting all over the place. He gets up on all fours and rocks, but mostly gets around in a "wounded soldier" type of crawl – dragging one leg behind him and pulling himself along on his elbows and pushing with his other knee. He's quick! Don't turn your back on him even for a moment or he's going to be into something! Count on it! He's very curious. He wants to explore everything. He also said "dadadada..dadadada..dadaaa" last night. As soon as he makes the connection... it's on! He understands what we are saying to him a lot of the time already. He does not seem to require a whole lot of sleep, though he has successfully slept through the night a few times with only one feeding. He has a certain pitch he hits whenever he wants something immediate to happen. It will cause your ears to echo and ring and hurt. I'm pretty sure dogs in the next county are barking back at him. This seems louder when he's the most tired or believes his brother is getting more food or attention than him. I've often joked that he may think his name is "JESUS Gus!" (I'm working on not saying that so much, I am).

ABOUT GRAHAM:

Graham is the silliest, goofiest little boy ever! He is so happy to be here. Just look at him and he grins ear to ear with a huge wet drooly smile (usually a tongue will be sticking out at you too)!
He can sit on his own really well until distracted. He scoots around some (mostly in a circle) and is very content checking out the things around him. He's learned to make some funny noises with his fist and mouth and enjoys gnawing on just about anything in arms reach. He's our snuggle baby. He loves being held and loved on.

Both boys LOVE to eat! They enjoy pears, sweet potatoes, apples, peaches, green beans, squash, carrots, bananas and oatmeal. They can hold their bottles on their own, and have begun trying a sippy cup. I'm personally ready for finger foods because spoon feeding two "starving" boys is difficult! I can't seem to shovel it in fast enough!

ABOUT MADISON:
I am so proud of the person she has grown to become. She is sweet, considerate, fun and beautiful. A total package!! She is on the honor roll and is preparing for her first PROM this weekend. I don't know how she grew up so fast! Wasn't very long ago I was writing updates on how much she grew in the last month and now... she is about to turn 16!! She will be SWEET 16 next month, and legally old enough to drive! Where did the time go?! Who would have thought I would someday have two about to crawl, and one about to drive?! YIPES! Life is funny how it shifts and turns!

HAPPINESS.

2 months

the boys are now well into their second month, and are growing like weeds! everyday they grow into and out of things. i have to recycle their clothing baskets weekly now. when we went to our 2month doctor appointment, the boys got their first batch of immunizations. both guys measured 22.5" long! Graham weighed in at 9lb14oz and August was 9lb10.8oz. HOWEVER, a week later at the health department, Graham weighed 10lb14oz, and August was 10lb12oz... so somewhere in the ballpark of 10lbs, depending on whose scale you trust more!

we are supplementing their feedings with some formula these days. we're even adding a little rice cereal to some of them in an effort to fill them up. they are CONSTANT eaters! which is good. they're growing.

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Quick Update

We had our first doctor visit with Doctor Christina Collins this morning. Both boys got a once over and are doing well.

Graham: 6#1oz and 19.5" long
August: 5#15oz and 21.5" long

We are going to try feeding ever TWO hours (pumping) during the day 1.5-2 oz and every THREE hours at night to curb their appetite without overfilling their tiny bellies. I also have to go to a strictly bland diet and slowly introduce foods to try and figure out what foods might be upsetting their digestive systems.

So, basically, a great report for the boys, and a tiring and difficult mandate for mom. Thank goodness for daddy....

Almost.

We are hoping to get discharged today! I got the opportunity to hold BOTH my boys at the same time for the FIRST time this morning!! :) They have been wired to their crib or warming beds the entire time we've been here, but this morning the nurse let me unplug them so that I could attempt to tandem feed them. What an experience! ha... we're going to need some practice, but if there is one thing I'm certain of, it is that we will have PLENTY of practice nursing.

We've thought it all along, but now know without a doubt, Graham is Matt Sergent made over!! Oh my... uncanny resemblance. Nana sent us some of Matt's baby pictures this morning, and my jaw dropped. Still not sure where August's features come from, but his features are not as filled out as Graham's yet.

The car seats are mounted back in the truck, mommy and daddy are checked out of the hotel, our bags are packed, and we're just in a holding pattern. About to have some 11 o'clock smack down (they are lip smackers when they nurse or bottle feed), and hope to hear from the doctor soon.

chugging along

So far, so good. Graham has not had an episode of apnea since 7pm Aug 15! (thank goodness!!) The boys have been able to maintain their body temperatures on their own for a couple of days now. Co-bedding has been the most wonderful thing for them. They've gained weight, slept more soundly, and been overall happier babies since they've been snuggled in together.

Doc says we can most likely go home Friday! Boys are getting their hearing tests, circumcisions, car seat test, pictures taken and footprints made today and tomorrow. So long as Graham does not have any apnea, we are most likely homeward bound day after tomorrow!

This experience has proven very educational. The NICU here in Tupelo is a great learning hospital. We have taken an infant CPR class, have a newborn care class later today, have met with two different lactation specialists, and the doctors and nurses have really taken time to show us how and why things are done. We have learned so many good tips on caring for these little guys. The doctors and nurses here really try to build relationships with you. They are sending us home feeling far more confident in caring for these guys than we were when we got here.

Love and prayers.

Love