3 year pediatrician visit

The kids had their three-year well visit today. Jason went with me. It was a great visit - the first one with absolutely no tears (and no shots!)!! They are well past their stranger anxiety, and were curious about what the doctor and nurse were doing. They liked showing off their skills like jumping and running. It was the most relaxing doctor visit we've ever had. 

Here are their stats:

Abigail
Height: 36.25" (32nd %ile)
Weight: 27.5 lbs (17th %ile)

Lucas
Height: 37" (40th %ile)
Weight: 32 lbs (55th %ile)

Zoey
Height: 35.75" (21st %ile)
Weight: 26 lbs (7th %ile)

Pretty much the cutest picture ever. Yes, they are wearing undies. In fact, Lucas is wearing coordinating Cookie Monster underwear and socks. :)

2 Year Well Visit

The girls picked these dresses to wear to the doctor's visit.


Jason and I took the kids for their 2 year well visit today, and it went amazingly well! There was a little bit of crying here and there, but they also had fun playing in the exam room, and they didn't mind when the doctor examined them. The most amazing part was that they did great during the finger stick blood test and their one shot. They sat looking at the blood dripping into the little vial and seemed really fascinated by the whole process. So much so that while Abby was sitting on the table getting her blood drawn, Zoey started saying "my turn my turn". It was a refreshing change, since most of their previous well visits involved a lot of screaming.

ABIGAIL
3/25/10 Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 9 pounds 8 ounces; 21.5" long; 14.5 head
8/12/10 Four months old - 12 pounds 6 ounces; 24" long; 15.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 13 pounds 12 ounces; 25" tall; 16.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 15 pounds 12 ounces; 27" tall; 17.25" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 17 pounds 4 ounces; 28.75" tall; 17.5" head
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 19 pounds 8 ounces; 30.75" tall; 18" head
10/4/11 Eighteen months old - 21 pounds 4 ounces; 32" tall; 18" head (?)
3/23/12 2 YEARS old - 23.5 pounds, 33.75" tall; 18.75" head
**She is now at the 50th percentile for height and head, but still at the 10th percentile for weight.

LUCAS
3/25/10 Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds even
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 10 pounds even; 20.75" long; 15" head
8/12/10 Four months old - 14 pounds 6 ounces; 24.5" long; 16.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 16 pounds 11 ounces; 26.25" tall; 17.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 19 pounds even; 28.25" tall; 18" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 20 pounds 13 ounces; 30.5" tall; ?? head (things were getting a bit nutty in the exam room and I didn't write down that measurement)
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 23 pounds 8 ounces; 31" tall; 18.5 head
10/4/11 Eighteen months old - ???; 33.5" tall; 19" head
3/23/12 2 YEARS old - 27.5 pounds, 34.25" tall; 19.5" head
**He is solidly at the 50th percentile in all areas!

ZOEY
3/25/10 Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks old - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 7 pounds 13 ounces; 20" long; 14.25" head
8/12/10 Four months old - 10 pounds 12 ounces; 22.25" long; 15.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 12 pounds 10 ounces; 24.50" tall; 16.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 14 pounds 11 ounces; 27.50" tall; 17.25" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 16 pounds 10 ounces; 28.75" tall; 17.75" head
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 18 pounds 10 ounces; 30.5" tall; 18" head
10/4/11 Eighteen months old - 20 pounds 4 ounces; 31.75" tall; 18" head (?)
3/23/12 2 YEARS old - 23 pounds, 32" tall; 18.5" head
** She is at the 10th percentile for weight (finally fully on the chart!), 25-50th for height, and 50th for head.

I've mentioned before that I like our pediatrician because he's so laid-back. Here are a few tidbits we discussed today:

*We can switch to 2% milk now, and they really don't need more than 12oz per day. Since I'm no longer obsessing about measuring how much they drink, I don't really know the amounts they're drinking now. I just know that when we finally switched from bottles to sippy cups, we went from using 3 gallons of whole milk a week to barely 2.

*Abby still needs 8 more teeth to come in (2 year molars plus some others), and Zoey and Lucas need 4 more each (their 2 year molars). I can't wait for teething to be done!

*We still have the kids rear-facing in their carseats, since that's the AAP recommendation till age 2. We may keep them in longer since the weight limit for our seats is so high (up to 40 pounds rear facing!), but we got the ok to turn them forward-facing now if we want to.

*We need to give up the pacifiers by age 3 - we got a "free pass" to keep them a little longer since we have triplets. :)

They're growing up so quickly!

18 month pediatrician visit

Wow, pediatrician visits sure do involve a lot of screaming these days. When does separation/stranger anxiety end??



ABIGAIL




3/25/10 Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 9 pounds 8 ounces; 21.5" long; 14.5 head
8/12/10 Four months old - 12 pounds 6 ounces; 24" long; 15.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 13 pounds 12 ounces; 25" tall; 16.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 15 pounds 12 ounces; 27" tall; 17.25" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 17 pounds 4 ounces; 28.75" tall; 17.5" head
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 19 pounds 8 ounces; 30.75" tall; 18" head
10/4/11 Eighteen months old - 21 pounds 4 ounces; 32" tall; 18" head (?)




LUCAS






3/25/10 Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds even
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 10 pounds even; 20.75" long; 15" head
8/12/10 Four months old - 14 pounds 6 ounces; 24.5" long; 16.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 16 pounds 11 ounces; 26.25" tall; 17.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 19 pounds even; 28.25" tall; 18" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 20 pounds 13 ounces; 30.5" tall; ?? head (things were getting a bit nutty in the exam room and I didn't write down that measurement)
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 23 pounds 8 ounces; 31" tall; 18.5 head
10/4/11 Eighteen months old - ???; 33.5" tall; 19" head

Lucas's weight is listed as ??? because he did so much screaming and flailing while trying to weigh him that he came out at 30 pounds, which is clearly inaccurate. I'll try to weigh him at home and report back soon.

ZOEY








3/25/10 Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks old - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 7 pounds 13 ounces; 20" long; 14.25" head
8/12/10 Four months old - 10 pounds 12 ounces; 22.25" long; 15.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 12 pounds 10 ounces; 24.50" tall; 16.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 14 pounds 11 ounces; 27.50" tall; 17.25" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 16 pounds 10 ounces; 28.75" tall; 17.75" head
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 18 pounds 10 ounces; 30.5" tall; 18" head
10/4/11 Eighteen months old - 20 pounds 4 ounces; 31.75" tall; 18" head (?)



Here's a taste of some of our fun early morning dance partying

15 month pediatrician visit

We had a great 15 month well visit with the pediatrician, except for the 3 shots. Ouch. The doctor is pleased with their development and told us to just keep up the good work. I love our doctor because he is so laid back. I tend to compare myself to other parents and compare my babies to other babies, and our doctor always helps me to chill out. When I asked about their reluctance to drink milk out of sippy cups, he just said "don't fight that battle yet." Same with pacifiers. Whew. On the downside, he said that separation anxiety peaks at 18 months so it's likely to get worse than it is now. That does not make it easy to leave them with a babysitter.

All the babies have been learning sign language and it's been a great way to communicate with them. They know at least 10 signs, mostly related to eating, drinking, and various animals. And now they're starting to say some words too.


ABIGAIL

3/25/10 Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 9 pounds 8 ounces; 21.5" long; 14.5 head
8/12/10 Four months old - 12 pounds 6 ounces; 24" long; 15.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 13 pounds 12 ounces; 25" tall; 16.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 15 pounds 12 ounces; 27" tall; 17.25" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 17 pounds 4 ounces; 28.75" tall; 17.5" head
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 19 pounds 8 ounces; 30.75" tall; 18" head

That's 5th percentile for weight, and 50th for height and head. She is still tall and thin.

Abby has 2 top and 2 bottom teeth, with 2 more about to come in on top. She is still walking on her knees but is getting braver about trying to walk on her feet. Her poor little knees are calloused but she doesn't seem to mind.

Abby trying on some stylish sunglasses.



LUCAS

3/25/10 Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds even
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 10 pounds even; 20.75" long; 15" head
8/12/10 Four months old - 14 pounds 6 ounces; 24.5" long; 16.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 16 pounds 11 ounces; 26.25" tall; 17.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 19 pounds even; 28.25" tall; 18" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 20 pounds 13 ounces; 30.5" tall; ?? head (things were getting a bit nutty in the exam room and I didn't write down that measurement)
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 23 pounds 8 ounces; 31" tall; 18.5 head

That's 50th percentile all around!

Lucas has 8 teeth (4 top and 4 bottom) and is starting to get molars, which is making him quite fussy. He is a strong walker now and is also kind of a bulldozer when it comes to taking toys from his sisters.

This was the closest I could get to a picture of Lucas "wearing" his hat. By the time I got it on his head and got the camera in position, he had taken it off again.


ZOEY

3/25/10 Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks old - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head
6/3/10 Two months old - 7 pounds 13 ounces; 20" long; 14.25" head
8/12/10 Four months old - 10 pounds 12 ounces; 22.25" long; 15.75" head
10/4/10 Six months old - 12 pounds 10 ounces; 24.50" tall; 16.25" head
12/28/10 Nine months old - 14 pounds 11 ounces; 27.50" tall; 17.25" head
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 16 pounds 10 ounces; 28.75" tall; 17.75" head
7/7/11 Fifteen months old - 18 pounds 10 ounces; 30.5" tall; 18" head

That's just below the 5th percentile for weight (she's holding strong on her own personal curve) and 50th for height and head. Zoey also has 8 teeth.

Zoey loves hats these days. She does the sign for hat all the time and loves trying to see how many she can wear at once.

12 month pediatrician visit

Sorry for the long gap between posts. Jason and I took our first vacation without the babies last week. More on that later. For now, here are the one-year stats.

ABIGAIL
A talented multi-tasker - chewing on a teething ring and playing.


3/25/10 Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 9 pounds 8 ounces; 21.5" long; 14.5 head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 12 pounds 6 ounces; 24" long; 15.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 13 pounds 12 ounces; 25" tall; 16.25" head circumference
12/28/10 Nine months old - 15 pounds 12 ounces; 27" tall; 17.25" head circumference
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 17 pounds 4 ounces; 28.75" tall; 17.5" head circumference

That's the 5th percentile in weight, 50th in height, and 25th in head.

Abby hates wearing hats, even though she looks adorable in them.



LUCAS
Teething. A top tooth is starting to come through!


3/25/10 Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds even
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 10 pounds even; 20.75" long; 15" head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 14 pounds 6 ounces; 24.5" long; 16.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 16 pounds 11 ounces; 26.25" tall; 17.25" head circumference
12/28/10 Nine months old - 19 pounds even; 28.25" tall; 18" head circumference
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 20 pounds 13 ounces; 30.5" tall; ?? head circumference (things were getting a bit nutty in the exam room and I didn't write down that measurement)

That's 25th percentile for weight, 75th for height, and I think it was 50th for head.




ZOEY
Teething. Still just 2 bottom teeth.


3/25/10 Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks old - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 7 pounds 13 ounces; 20" long; 14.25" head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 10 pounds 12 ounces; 22.25" long; 15.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 12 pounds 10 ounces; 24.50" tall; 16.25" head circumference
12/28/10 Nine months old - 14 pounds 11 ounces; 27.50" tall; 17.25" head circumference
3/29/11 Twelve months old - 16 pounds 10 ounces; 28.75" tall; 17.17" head circumference

That's <5th percentile for weight, 50th for height, and 50th for head.

Always fashionable Zoey. Would you like some grapes with that hat?


We have a bunch of long and lean babies! I can't believe how much they have grown since they were born. They are eating all kinds of solid foods and we are slowly introducing whole milk.

The babies have achieved so many milestones since the last pediatrician's visit. Compared with the 9-month blog post, when they weren't all pulling up to standing and Zoey wasn't crawling, the babies are now...

Walking a few steps independently (Zoey)
Climbing up the slide and going down tummy first (Abby)
Saying mama and dada (all of them, sort of)
Imitating each other and the grown ups (all)
Walking while pushing their riding toys (all)
Using a little sign language (mostly Abby and Lucas)
Trying to get dressed and comb their hair (unsuccessfully, of course)

They amaze us and make us laugh every day! :)

9 Month Stats

The babies had their 9 month pediatrician visit today. How did they get to be 9 months old already??? And more importantly, how is it less than 3 months till their first birthday???

Everyone is relatively healthy. Poor Abby has another bad diaper rash, Lucas has been congested since after Thanksgiving, and Zoey has a goopy eye. But otherwise they're doing great.

Abigail:
3/25/10 Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 9 pounds 8 ounces; 21.5" long; 14.5 head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 12 pounds 6 ounces; 24" long; 15.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 13 pounds 12 ounces; 25" tall; 16.25" head circumference
12/28/10 Nine months old - 15 pounds 12 ounces; 27" tall; 17.25" head circumference

Abby's weight is in the 5-10th percentile, while her height is still in the 50th. Guess she's just going to be long and lean.

Look who figured out how to crawl under the orange slide!


She got motivated when we put Zoey on the other side of it. :)


Lucas
3/25/10 Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds even
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 10 pounds even; 20.75" long; 15" head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 14 pounds 6 ounces; 24.5" long; 16.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 16 pounds 11 ounces; 26.25" tall; 17.25" head circumference
12/28/10 Nine months old - 19 pounds even; 28.25" tall; 18" head circumference

Lucas remains at the 25th percentile for weight and 50th for height. I had guessed Lucas's weight to be 20 pounds, so I wasn't too far off. Since he is only 3/4 in. shorter than the maximum height for the infant carseat, I got his new convertible carseat installed today. I put him in it to adjust the straps, and he immediately smiled and did his "heh heh heh" laugh, as if he knew that he was going to be so much more comfortable from now on. I can't believe how he looks like such a big boy in it!



Zoey
3/25/10 Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks old - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 7 pounds 13 ounces; 20" long; 14.25" head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 10 pounds 12 ounces; 22.25" long; 15.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 12 pounds 10 ounces; 24.50" tall; 16.25" head circumference
12/28/10 Nine months old - 14 pounds 11 ounces; 27.50" tall; 17.25" head circumference

Zoey is still barely at the 5th percentile for weight, but she is making steady progress on her own curve. Her height is at the 50th percentile (although I think the nurse really stretched her - it's hard for me to believe that she is half an inch taller than Abby).

Zoey is starting to try to pull up to standing herself. She got motivated when Jason put a block at the top of the stairs to the orange slide.


Grandmas Di and Peg are here this week, so stay tuned for pictures of our Christmas celebration with them.

6 month pediatrician visit

Wow, I haven't done a blog post in a week! Guess I've been busy. And tired. Very tired. We really need to get their sleep under control.

Getting ready for a walk on a chilly fall day


The babies had their 6 month well visit yesterday, and they are still growing nicely! Here are their stats:

ABIGAIL



3/25/10 Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 9 pounds 8 ounces; 21.5" long; 14.5 head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 12 pounds 6 ounces; 24" long; 15.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 13 pounds 12 ounces; 25" tall; 16.25" head circumference

Abby's weight fell to the 10th percentile from the 25th, but the pediatrician isn't too concerned since she is still gaining and is healthy. Her other stats are at the 25th percentile.



Abby now consistently sleeps on her tummy, loves to roll from her back to tummy to back again, and is trying really hard to crawl. We've seen her get up on all fours for a few seconds at a time, and she practices every chance she gets. She also loves solid foods and seems excited to try to learn how to use a sippy cup.




LUCAS



3/25/10 Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds even
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 10 pounds even; 20.75" long; 15" head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 14 pounds 6 ounces; 24.5" long; 16.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 16 pounds 11 ounces; 26.25" tall; 17.25" head circumference

Lucas is at the 25th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for the other measurements. He feels like he weighs a lot more than 16 pounds! At least he still has a little time before we have to switch him out of the infant car seat.



Lucas also loves rolling around on the floor and is trying really hard to crawl. He loves it when the dog licks him and giggles at almost everything.

ZOEY



3/25/10 Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks old - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 7 pounds 13 ounces; 20" long; 14.25" head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 10 pounds 12 ounces; 22.25" long; 15.75" head circumference
10/4/10 Six months old - 12 pounds 10 ounces; 24.50" tall; 16.25" head circumference

Zoey is on the charts! Her weight is around the 5th percentile, height is at the 10th, and head is at the 25th. Keep growing Zoey!



Zoey loves rolling from her tummy to back but has not shown much interest in rolling from back to tummy. [Stay tuned for a separate post about Zoey, just like the ones I've done recently about Abby and Lucas. We're just trying to capture some fun Zoey time on video first.]

All the babies can sit for a few seconds on their own, and can sit for longer with a little propping. They love eating pureed foods and are having fun experimenting with the mysteries of sippy cups and spoons. They are smiley and happy most of the time, and we are having so much fun with them!

4 month pediatrician visit

Well, we made it through the four month pediatrician visit. By the end we were covered in spit up, tears, and drool, but all the babies got a clean bill of health. Everyone is developing wonderfully, and we got permission to try out cereal with them if we want to. Considering that Lucas acts like a bottomless pit most days, we may start with him to see what he thinks about eating from a spoon.

ABIGAIL


3/25/10 Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 9 pounds 8 ounces; 21.5" long; 14.5 head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 12 pounds 6 ounces; 24" long; 15.75" head circumference

Abby is now at the 25th percentile for weight and head circumference, and 50th percentile for height - all based on her actual age, not adjusted age.

LUCAS



3/25/10 Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds even
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 10 pounds even; 20.75" long; 15" head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 14 pounds 6 ounces; 24.5" long; 16.75" head circumference

Lucas is our big chunky monkey. He is now at the 50th percentile for all measurements!

ZOEY



3/25/10 Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks old - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 7 pounds 13 ounces; 20" long; 14.25" head circumference
8/12/10 Four months old - 10 pounds 12 ounces; 22.25" long; 15.75" head circumference

Zoey is at the 5th percentile for weight and 25th for head circumference. She is not quite on the growth charts for height yet. She is our petite peanut!

2 Month pediatrician visit

The babies had their 2 month visit today - they have grown so much!! Abby and Lucas are now on the growth charts for their chronological age (around the 5-10th percentile). Zoey still has some growing to do to make it on the charts, but she is growing well relative to her starting weight. I forgot to ask what percentile they'd be at if we used their age adjusted for prematurity. It's a little distracting to be in a tiny exam room with three babies, three adults (me, my mom, and the dr.), three car seats, etc. It's all we can do to make sure we don't drop any wriggling naked babies on the floor.

Abigail:
3/25/10 Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 9 pounds 8 ounces; 21.5" long; 14.5 head circumference

cutie pie after her bath with messy hair


Lucas:
3/25/10 Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks old - 5 pounds even
4/29/10 One month old - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old = 10 pounds even; 20.75" long; 15" head circumference

Making funny faces while burping


Zoey:
3/25/10 Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks old - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4/29/10 One month old - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head circumference
6/3/10 Two months old - 7 pounds 13 ounces; 20" long; 14.25" head circumference

Looking sweet during tummy time on the boppy


The babies had to get 2 shots each. They screamed so loud and their faces got so red, but it was over quickly. The doctor warned us that they might be more fussy this evening. That was an understatement! Simultaneous screaming from 5:30-6:30pm, and they seemed to feed off each other. So we broke out the tylenol, bottles of milk, swaddles, gas drops, and every other trick in the book. Now they're sleeping peacefully. Let's hope they stay that way for awhile!

Here's a picture of them passed out on the couch this afternoon, before the scream-fest.



They do love cuddling with each other, especially Zoey and Lucas.

1 month appointment - vital stats

Lots of good numbers from today's one month pediatrician appointment!

First, yesterday was the babies' true due date. They have all gained weight and grown wonderfully. Based on their actual age, they are barely on the growth charts, but when using their adjusted age they are around the 25th percentile. They are all healthy and (mostly) happy. Lucas is still having some trouble with gassiness but the Mylicon drops and probiotics seem to be reducing the intensity.

Abigail:
Birth - 5 pounds 3 ounces; 18.5" long; 13" head circumference
2 weeks - 5 pounds 4 ounces
4.5 weeks - 6 pounds 13 ounces; 18.5" long; 13.5" head circumference

Lucas:
Birth - 4 pounds 12 ounces; 18.25" long; 12.5" head circumference
2 weeks - 5 pounds even
4.5 weeks - 6 pounds 14 ounces; 19.5" long; 13.5" head circumference

Zoey:
Birth - 3 pounds 15 ounces; 16" long; 11.75" head circumference
2 weeks - 4 pounds 2 ounces
4.5 weeks - 5 pounds 9 ounces; 17.75" long; 13.25" head circumference

That's a lot of growth, babies! No wonder it's getting harder to tell them apart at night (can't rely on Zoey's tiny head anymore!) and harder to lift them with one hand. I'm proud of the fact that they have not had any formula since they were 5 days old - all that growth is from breastmilk. And, just as the doctors predicted, they are suddenly starting to get the hang of nursing. So hopefully we can start to substitute some bottles for some direct nursing. I'm tired of washing bottles all the time! I'm always worried about making enough milk for them, so today I added up how much they've been eating and how much I've been pumping. Yesterday they collectively consumed 50oz of milk, and I pumped 50 oz. Pretty cool, huh?!? Guess that supply and demand theory really works.

Some other random stats:
Number of diapers per day: 25-30 (8-10 changes per baby per day)
Packages of wipes per week: 2-3 (usually 1 package every other day)
Frequency with which the diaper pail has to be emptied: daily!
Number of feedings per day: usually 8 per baby, unless someone adjusts their schedule - adding in nursing has increased the number of feedings
Longest amount of time they have slept at once: ~2.5 hours
Longest amount of time I have slept at once: ~3 hours (??)
Loads of baby laundry per week: 2-3 (usually one load every other day or so)

And here are some recent pictures:
Zoey trying to keep spit-up at bay by napping on her tummy on a mini-boppy


Zoey and Abby enjoying the playmat

Lucas with big wide-open eyes

One colicky baby

Well, our little Lucas seems to have developed some colic, and possibly acid reflux. For the past week or so he has gradually gotten more fussy, progressing to being inconsolable for long periods of time. The poor guy - we can see that he's in pain with gassiness - his face turns all red, he screams, arches his back, stiffens his legs. We're trying Mylicon anti-gas drops, which seem to help a bit, and keeping him upright as much as possible after he eats.

I took him to the doctor today, who also recommended a probiotic supplement to help with digestion, so we'll see how that works. It's so hard to hear him cry and not be able to soothe him. Well, we can soothe him, but it requires constant holding. Which is not a horrible thing since he's so cute and cuddly, but it does prevent us from doing other things around the house.

Here's the good news from the doctor's visit though - he is up to 6 pounds 3 ounces! That's a gain of over a pound in about 9-10 days. Good work Lucas!

Here's a picture of him feeling mellow after we got home from the doctor:


And here he is "holding" his bottle by himself - look dad, no hands!

2 week pediatrician visit

We had a great visit to the pediatrician today! Everyone has regained their birth weight and then some, and they all gained 6-7 ounces in the past week. Here are the stats:

Abby: 5 lbs 4 oz (birth weight 5-3)
Lucas: 5 lbs even (birth weight 4-12)
Zoey: 4 lbs 2 oz (birth weight 3-15)

And the best part is that we haven't had to supplement with formula in over a week - all this weight gain is due purely to breastmilk. I have been pumping every 3 hours around the clock and it is paying off.

They all continue to be healthy and will go back in 2 weeks for their 1 month appointment.

Other milestones include:
They have all lost their umbilical cords.

Zoey outgrew 2 preemie footed sleepers in the past few days - yay for getting longer!

Lucas has been practicing his tummy time. Not only is he actually awake for it now, but he has pushed/rolled himself over from his tummy to his back a few times. Yay for upper body strength!