whew...where do I begin?

We were all sick last week. It took me out of commission for 2 days and the rest of the week, I functioned at a minimum. Everyone seems to be just about better except for Riley. He's still got a nagging cough that caused me to drag out the breathing machine. We're doing Xopenex twice a day for now.

We've finally switched out all of the 3-6 month clothes for both 6-9 AND 6-12 month sizes! Addison can actually fit into some 12 month clothing. The 3-6 month stuff had been getting too small for a while but I really didn't want to change out everything and then have to do it again when the weather got cooler. Last year, I bought them both adorable Christmas outfits on a super clearance that are size 12 months. I'm actually concerned that they might be too small.

The boys had their 15 month well visit at the pediatrician last Tuesday. Riley weighed 14lbs. 4oz. and was 23.5 inches long. Addison weighed 15lbs. 7oz. and measured 25 inches long. I had so many questions for the pediatrician that for the first time, I brought a notebook with me full of questions. I asked about the boys shaking when they get startled out of sleep and he wasn't concerned at all. I asked about starting dairy (they either needed to get an ok to start dairy or a prescription for special formula to keep getting WIC) and I was told to go ahead and start giving dairy but to make sure I give them yogurt with probiotics. We talked about their head x-rays that they had done a few months back. Their suture lines still aren't closed but the x-ray indicated everything was normal and the ped. and a neurologist both agreed but want to continue to watch and make sure they close when the soft spots close.

I also asked about their progress with physical therapy and he said he wanted them to get more aggressive therapy. It worked out nicely that today was their 1 year evaluation for Easter Seals/Early Intervention.

So, at today's evaluation, a team of 3 people came out to do a bunch of tests. The boys tested anywhere from 6-9 months in all of their tests so they more than qualify for therapy still. I think we all know it would happen but it's always such a slap in the face when you hear someone tell you that your 15 month old babies are functioning at a 6 month old level.

Ian and I mentioned that the pediatrician wants more aggressive therapy and we all (eval. team included) agree that they need it. They're now set to have 3 therapists a week, for an hour per child. They'll have a new physical therapist which is kind of bittersweet but I think it's the right decision. This therapist works specifically with babies and preemies and was thrilled to be able to take the twins case. They'll be getting a speech therapist. This lady was also delighted to get micro preemie twins. She'll initially start working with them to learn to eat new textures and we'll transition into making sounds and eventually words. Lastly, we'll be getting an occupational therapist to help with their fine motor skills. We're not sure who it will be yet but we hope to hear within the next week.

So, tomorrow will be our last session with our current physical therapist. And, for the record, I think he's an awesome guy but I just don't feel like he's able to push the envelope as much as we want. And, he only has openings in the evenings which really sucks for us.

So, we all agreed that this is the time to start pushing them harder. They've had a year to grow and get the basics down, and now we want to see them do more.

9-19-09 Addison is "Big Bro" and Riley is "Little Bro"

9-20-09 Riley in the black hat and Addison in the Steelers hat

9-28-09 Getting ready to go on a walk. Addison in the red, Riley in the blue