As I posted my earlier post, I realized that the last time I posted to my blog was MONTHS ago. Holy smokes does the time fly by!
I guess I'll begin with Terran. He came home on August 5th, after a 68 day NICU stay. He came home weighing 5lbs. 12oz. and is now a whopping 13lbs.! All breastfed. No fortifiers or formula. This kid can eat. He's still on the apnea monitor and we're hoping to be rid of that in the next week or two. He smiles and coos and is adored by his siblings.
I guess I'll begin with Terran. He came home on August 5th, after a 68 day NICU stay. He came home weighing 5lbs. 12oz. and is now a whopping 13lbs.! All breastfed. No fortifiers or formula. This kid can eat. He's still on the apnea monitor and we're hoping to be rid of that in the next week or two. He smiles and coos and is adored by his siblings.
Now..onto the boys. So much has happened since their 3rd birthday.
They are no longer getting in home therapy. They continued therapy until the end of the summer and they were supposed to transition into a preschool setting through the BCIU. They were placed in a class that was rented out of a daycare setting in a horrible part of town. I voiced my concerns to the coordinator there and was told "well...that's where they were placed, so...". So, they refused to place them in another classroom and I ultimately decided against sending the twins there. Since they're not potty trained, they can't go to a traditional preschool class which left me with few choices. Luckily, I was able to get them into a 2 year old preschool class at the preschool my daughter used to attend. It's only one hour, every Friday, and it's a mommy and me style classroom setting so I stay with them. including the twins, there's only 6 kids in the class which is perfect because it's not overwhelming to them. They get free play, circle time with songs and games, arts and crafts, and snack. It's a really good intro into a classroom setting and even though they're not getting specialized therapy, they're gaining much needed social skills while still having to do fine and gross motor skills and speech. Riley has really started to come out of his shell at school. He stands up and tries to participate in the songs and is starting to play with other kids. He also loves arts and crafts. He is always coloring and painting. Addison is a bit more stubborn and he's still really overwhelmed with his new classroom. The one downside.....germs. They've had a runny nose since the 2nd week of school.
First day of school
They are no longer getting in home therapy. They continued therapy until the end of the summer and they were supposed to transition into a preschool setting through the BCIU. They were placed in a class that was rented out of a daycare setting in a horrible part of town. I voiced my concerns to the coordinator there and was told "well...that's where they were placed, so...". So, they refused to place them in another classroom and I ultimately decided against sending the twins there. Since they're not potty trained, they can't go to a traditional preschool class which left me with few choices. Luckily, I was able to get them into a 2 year old preschool class at the preschool my daughter used to attend. It's only one hour, every Friday, and it's a mommy and me style classroom setting so I stay with them. including the twins, there's only 6 kids in the class which is perfect because it's not overwhelming to them. They get free play, circle time with songs and games, arts and crafts, and snack. It's a really good intro into a classroom setting and even though they're not getting specialized therapy, they're gaining much needed social skills while still having to do fine and gross motor skills and speech. Riley has really started to come out of his shell at school. He stands up and tries to participate in the songs and is starting to play with other kids. He also loves arts and crafts. He is always coloring and painting. Addison is a bit more stubborn and he's still really overwhelmed with his new classroom. The one downside.....germs. They've had a runny nose since the 2nd week of school.
First day of school
The boys were recently at the pediatrician for their 3 year check up and they're both just shy of 30 pounds. Addison has a never ending vocabulary and shows almost no physical delays. Riley is still struggling to talk and he still walks like he's had too much to drink. His delays have resulted in a referral to a pediatric neurologist for an MRI and possible CP diagnosis. His appointment isn't until April but according to the office, a second neurologist should be starting in January and our appointment date will likely be moved up. Does this referral scare me? Of course. I never want my kids to have to grow up with labels or a special needs diagnosis. But, it's been a suspicion of mine all along and if we can get some sort of diagnosis, hopefully we'll be able to get him specialized therapies and help that he needs.
They have both had their yearly check ups with the opthamologist. I'm happy to report that they both have perfect vision. There's no lasting issues from their ROP or their Strabisus. They still might need glasses down the road but for now, you'd never be able to tell they had problems. We don't have to go back for a whole year.
The boys have finally moved out of their cribs and into toddler beds. They have these awesome race car beds and Addison doesn't sleep in his. I will lay them down in their beds and Addison will quickly move all of his stuffed animals and blankets into Riley's bed and fall asleep at the opposite end of Riley.
They are transforming into such bright kids. They're definitely toddlers now. They are mischievous, charming, sneaky, happy, and lovable toddlers. They team up with each other for both good and bad. They give the best hugs and have the sweetest smiles. And they love books. They could have books read to them all day and nothing would make them happier.
October 21st
I'm looking forward to the holidays. They know who Santa is now and they're very much looking forward to his visit.
I've got to start wrapping this up because they're now teasing the cat...which is a nice change from teasing the puppy. Yep...we have added a puppy too. Yes, I am crazy. I wouldn't have it any other way :)
At a local dairy
