X-ray results are in

So, I spoke with the pediatrician this afternoon and he said the x-rays came back normal. The sutures are still open but there's no swelling or fluid causing them to be open. It's just that they haven't closed yet and he said that they should close by the time their soft spot closes (which is usually between 15-18 months in full term babies but will likely be closer to 2 years old for our guys). So, despite all of that, he's still going to talk to a pediatric neurologist to get a second opinion from someone who specializes in this. He said as soon as he talks to him, he'll let me know but he's confident that no further action will need to be taken.

Birthday party fun and on with life

We all had a great time this past Saturday. We had some of our wonderful friends and family here for most of the day to celebrate Addison and Riley's birthday. Ian made delicious food and everyone left with a full tummy. Thank you again to everyone who came to celebrate!

The boys each got a small round cake (they were free when you buy the big cake) and tonight, we're going to let them dig into them. It was too busy at the party to try and get them set up with their cakes.

As the last guests were getting ready to leave, the rain had stopped and there was this beautiful rainbow glowing over our development!
This past Friday, the boys had their 1 year well visit with the pediatrician. Addison weighed in at 11lb. 6oz. and 22.5" long. Riley has finally passed Addison and he weighed 11lbs. 8oz. and was 22.25" long. They're doing really well with the new formula that the doctor gave us. They're still nursing at night but it was really time to start supplementing. I literally nursed all day long and since I started supplementing, they're eating and gaining better. I'm very pro-breastfeeding but I'm ok with supplementing. I worked hard to breastfeed micro preemie twins, exclusively for 11months, and I gave them a fantastic start.

So, back to the ped. visit. Ever since they came home, both boys have had these veins running down the sides of their heads. And, ever since they've been home, I've been able to feel almost a little bump where those veins run. I didn't say anything before because I assumed that as their skulls closed, it would get better. I finally said something and the pediatrician has ordered x-rays to see if it's just the veins that we're feeling or if the sutures are open in the skull. If the sutures are open, we'll be sent for an ultrasound to see the cause and then possibly referred to a neurosurgeon. He strongly believes that it's just the veins but he wants to just be 100% sure. They're not displaying any other signs of hydrocephalus (I am sure that's spelled wrong) but I think that is his major concern if it's not just the veins. Of course, I'm scared. How could you not be. We go for the ultrasound at 9:45am tomorrow and I'm really hoping that it will be for nothing.

We hit one year and I finally felt like I could breathe a little bit easier. We got through RSV and then another cold, they were making progress with physical therapy, and then something else pops up.

So, please keep them in your thoughts tomorrow. I'll post an update as soon as I have any results.

Today is a very special day!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY ADDISON AND RILEY!!!

Can you believe it's already been a year?? Neither can we. So much has happened and the boys have come such a long way. One year ago, the babies were born and we didn't know if they were going to make it to the next day. We've survived 3 months in the NICU, a seemingly endless amount of doctor appointments, weeks of physical therapy, and so much more.

They are happy and healthy and making incredible progress thanks to a great physical therapist. They love their toys and their brother and sister.

So many of our friends and family have helped us over the past year and this weekend, we not only celebrate Addison and Riley's birthday, but we're celebrating all of the people who have been there for us. Ian and I are throwing a huge party. We're asking everyone that, instead of gifts, they consider making a donation to the Reading Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in honor of the boys. The staff there is awesome and they truly care about their patients. They are the reason Addison and Riley are here with us and Ian and I will be forever thankful that the doctors and nurses are so dedicated to their jobs.

If you're interested in making a donation, you can get more information here. http://www.readinghospital.org/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH000007

A year in numbers:

Addison:

Birth weight: 1lb. 5.2oz.

Length: 12.25"

Days in the NICU-81

Addison's NICU stay bill: $363,831.32

Days on apnea monitor: 75

Physical therapy sessions: 25 and counting

Riley:

Birth weight: 1lb. 3oz.

Length: 12.25"

Days in the NICU-87

Riley's NICU bill: $379,517.09

Days on apnea monitor: 27

Physical therapy sessions: 25 and counting

Trips to the ER: 1

Days in PICU with RSV: 4

And because I can't even begin to sit and figure out who had which appointments, here's a combined total for the past year:

Pediatrician appointments: 30 (along with a $20 copay per visit)
Opthamologist appointments: 14 (with a $30 copay each)

Addison 6-17-09

Riley 6-17-08

Riley (L) and Addison (R) 6-17-09

Something new and exciting!

LOOK AT ADDISON!!!

Yep, he's SITTING!!!!! Actually, they're both sitting. They're not fully unassisted but they're able to sit alone, for a significant amount of time before falling over or forward. I'm so incredibly proud of them and I had tears in my eyes during their physical therapy this afternoon. Just last week, I talked to Matt (their therapist) about how I feel frustrated that we're not making more progress. They have really struggled since getting sick way back in March. They really slowed down their progress and it was very hard to look ahead and remain positive. They're still trying to get rid of whatever bug they have. They're doing much better and only need the nebulizer in the morning and before bed. They have one more day of Ora-pred and a few more days of antibiotics for their ear infections. They're shaping up to be in perfect health for their big birthday! Hopefully we won't be back to the doctor until June 19th, when we go for their 1 year well visit. Their weight gain has slowed since they got sick so we've started supplementing with some formula. Mostly while Ian is home with them. They just can't eat enough. They're drinking 5-6 ounces every 2-3 hours.

And, as you can tell, I've changed the look of their blog. I had always thought the green was dark and kind of dreary so I found something a little lighter and less gloomy. That picture up at the very top of the blog is Addison when he was 1 day old. It's crazy to look at pictures from their early days and see how well they've grown.

Both boys are awake and ready to play so that's all for now.

Riley used my hair as a handle

Addison enjoying his Bumbo seat

Both boys during physical therapy