What a Difference 1 Week Can Make

All these developmental milestones can drive a parent nuts -- especially with preemies. As a parent, you are concerned about your baby or in our case babies' progress. Truthfully, I have been worried about Owen and his development -- especially with crawling. Up until last week he has shown no signs of wanting to get up on all 4's and crawl. Out of the blue that all changed on Sunday. Suddenly, he is getting up on all 4's and making efforts to move forward in a crawling motion. I think Mom and I felt a huge sense of relieve. He is now more mobile than his big brother (I say big because Evan is a pound heavier). As for Evan, I am convinced he can crawl, but has not found the motivation yet. Perhaps if we lay a NY Strip Steak on the floor he'll go get it. Both are starting to eat some more "solids" without the gagging. They love to have Mom feed them Sweet Potatoes and some sort of Peach concoction.

Personality wise, Owen is a little fearful of strangers. Since we started him with the physical therapist (which he hates), I think he thinks anyone who is a stranger is going to make him stretch his neck. Evan is open to anyone and loves to be held. Both love playing with other kids when they get the chance.

Just a note for my rememberance. This week has been the week of the great flood. We've had a ton of rain -- we wish it would dry up and warm up so we can get the boys outside!!! Until next time....

They Don't Stay Small for Long

We'll it's official. We have big boys now. At their 9 month check-up our preemie babies are now at the 50th percentile on weight and height. Mom has done a great job of feeding them!

It has been awhile since my last post and several new things have happened that I want to log. As you can see from the photo I posted, Owen has two teeth and is working on two more as I write this. Evan has just one poking through at this point. Physically, Owen has improved dramatically in the past month. His posture has improved and his neck strength is getting much better. Owen still has physical therapy sessions once every two weeks to continue stretching his neck. Mom hates that hour -- Owen has an extreme dislike of the therapist -- and he cries the entire time the therapist is working on him. Owen is starting to get mobile. He uses his stomach as a pivot and can scoot a little. He acts like he will walk before he crawls.

Evan has looked like he could crawl for 6 weeks now. He gets up on all fours and rocks, but just won't move those legs. He likes to push himself backward while up on all fours and has trapped himself under the couch and chairs numerous times.

The cranial helmets are working. Evan only needs his at night now and Owen's head shape is rounding into form. He still needs his all the time -- at least for another month. The cranial helmet investment was certainly worth the time, effort and money.

We are starting some new things in terms of feedings. They still do their bottles about every 3 hours, and Mom has been feeding them baby food for some time now. We are trying to transition to some solids, but have found both with a tremendous gag reflex. It is funny to stick a soaked Cheerio on their tongues and they want nothing to do with it. They hold out their tongue as if to say "get this Cheerio out of my mouth!"

We took the boys to their first college basketball game in February. They saw the Missouri State Bears upset No. 20 Drake in the last game at Hammons Student Center. Both boys watched intently, however, the loud cheers proved to be a little unsettling -- especially with Owen. He would bury his head in Mom's sweater when it got really loud.

It is funny to take them out to restaurants and shopping. Mom and I feel like celebrities -- as everyone has to comment about the boys. It is strange for me, as I usually keep to myself, to have complete strangers walk up and start a conversation about twins! I guess I'll get used to it.

Mom has become Evan and Owen's favorite, but certainly welcome Nana, Papa, and Grandma D when they come over. Aunt Deana and Max also come over about once a week and play with Evan and Owen and they enjoy their company.

Easter is around the corner and hopefully the boys will tolerate a road trip to see Great Grandma up in Maryville soon. That could prove to be interesting as 30 minutes in the car is about their limit now before a "meltdown."

I've been a bit windy in this post, but wanted to jot down a few items so I can remember them later. As we all know, they don't stay small for long, so I want to remember these little times!

Until later....