If you remember, these were their weights 3 days out of the NICU at 5 1/2 weeks old-
Beckett 4lbs, 5 oz
Eloise 4 lbs
Adeline 4 lbs, 9 oz
Here they are lined up waiting to be weighed.
It is really hard for me to look at this pictures because they were so little and so fragile and it was such an unbelievably stressful time. Even before they were born and we got the infamous "scary talk" that the neonatologists give to all parents with the impending premature birth we were told that barring no major physical or neurological problems that with any luck by the time the kids were 2 they would most likely have developmentally caught up. I made a decision that their health was going to be first priority until their second birthday and we would assess and decide to pursue any potential developmental delays at that time. So here we are. The birthday that the neonatologists and developmental specialists said would be the magic number.
Well this doctor visit was the big test and the ONE I had been hearing about for two years. Here are the general stats...
Addycakes
Weight- 24lbs 12.5 oz (25th percentile)
Height- 34 inches (50 percentile)
Head Circumference 90th percentile
Mr. Beckett
Weight- 22lbs 5.5oz (less than 5th percentile)
Height- 34 inches (less than 50th percentile)
Head Circumference 75th percentile
Little Dolly
Weight- 22lbs 13 oz (less than 10th percentile)
Height- 32.5 inches (less than 25th percentile)
Head Circumference greater than 95th percentile
So their weights are not as much as we would have liked. Because at about 2 years is when they should have really caught up we may need to be a little more aggressive in trying to get their weights up. Our pediatrician said that normally she has children move to skim milk but we are going to move to 2% rather than whole milk as they are drinking now. She would like us to start adding Carnation Instant Breakfast to their milk to increase their calorie intake which is something I'm not crazy about. I just think that is gross and too much sugar. I just despised the fact that they had to drink formula rather than breast milk and was ecstatic exactly one year ago when we moved to milk. I feel like this is step back. I'm going to have to investigate more options. If anyone has any suggestions that are a little more organic, please let me know!!
Other than weights she thought that Addy was doing great and no concerns. Beckett and Eloise are possibly a tad behind in gross and fine motor skills but nothing of concern and unless we were concerned she didn't think it was even worth addressing again until they turn 3. Beckett and Eloise will be having a speech evaluation this week at Children's and most likely starting speech therapy. I'm dreading this appointment because the evaluation takes 2 hours per child and I'm taking both at the same time. Eloise has intense 'stranger danger' and is very fearful in new places and with new people so I don't even know how they are going to do an evaluation with her much less do any sort of therapy. She won't leave my lap and pretty much screams when anyone comes near her. This might be a painful process with her. But I think Beckett will love both the evaluation and therapy if needed. He loves to talk, loves people, loves going new places and is super curious so I'm sure this will be very positive all around for him.
So was everyone right? Was this the 'magic' birthday? Looking back at how far they've come, how far we've come and how much their future holds, how can it not be?
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