18 month update

Wow, we have toddlers for real now.  They are so much fun and so full of life.

At their 18 month checkup last week, Parker weighed 16lbs 12oz and measured 29.5 inches tall.  Leyton weighed 19lbs 10oz and measured 30.5 inches tall.  They are still VERY small for their age.  They're following the growth curve, just not actually ON it.  The curve also slows a lot from now until they are 3 years old, so odds are we're just going to have small kids.

Leyton is walking all over the place and starting to run some too.  He really enjoys walking.  He has the cutest ham face and cutest giggle he does with it.  Although he has repeated words like mama, dada, etc, the first one he used in proper context was, "Uh-oh."  He learned this about a week ago.  Now he likes to throw all the toys out of the bath tub and say, "uh-oh" after each one.  He has said, "all done" a couple of times after his meals instead of signing all done.  He is definitely the more needy one of the two.  

Parker is still not walking.  The pediatrician isn't concerned as long as he is progressing, and that he is.  He can stand well without holding on and will usually let go of the table or whatever it is so he can play with a toy.  He runs around the furniture with at least one hand on.  Sometimes he will take one or two steps between things, which he just started doing a few weeks ago.  He will also hold on and run in place, it's really funny.  Parker can now do "so big" also, and is trying to say "uh-oh" but it's more like "uh-ah" or "uh-uh-uh." He is a very energetic little boy.  He still loves to kick his legs like crazy in the tub and loves to shriek loudly and get you to shriek back.  When he gets excited, it's like ten times the excitement Leyton shows.

We've got the toddler proof Christmas tree most the way set up.  Rick put pavestones on the legs of the tree so it won't tip, and I have hand tied almost 100 shatterproof ornaments on the tree with ribbon.  It's taking forever so I have been putting it off.  The boys love to come up and touch it and all the ornaments.  We talk about how pretty it is and what color the ornaments are, and they will sit there in awe of it, then they will start hitting it.  It's getting frustrating that they don't understand or don't care to obey, but they're toddlers, it's to be expected I guess.  I just keep telling myself that they will learn and understand.... eventually.

In case you missed it, the previous blog I posted some Christmas ideas for the boys and their clothing sizes for those family members who will be giving them gifts.  I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!  Cards will be going out soon, I promise!

Christmas Wish List

People have already started asking me what the boys want for Christmas! 

They are good to go on clothes and sleepwear.  The boys are still really small and in different sizes.  If you just can't resist, here is a guide as to what sizes they wear by brand:

Gymboree:  Tops, 6-12mos & 12-18mos, bottoms 3-6 mos & 6-12 mos
Old Navy:  Tops 12-18 mos, bottoms 3-6 & 6-12 mos
Gap:  Tops 12-18 mos, bottoms 3-6 & 6-12 mos
Carters:  9 mos & 12 mos
Circo (Target): 9 mos & 12 mos, problem is Circo switches styles (baby vs. toddler) between 9 & 12 mos so you can't find coordinating outfits :(

They are in size 3 & 4 shoes.


Toys: 

I feel like we have toys and stuffed animals coming out of our ears!  We also have a bunch in the attic that they can't use yet.  The highest age level of toys they can actually DO are 12 mos.  Developmental toys are the best since we are trying to improve their developmental skills.

The boys REALLY love touch & feel books, especially the Peter Rabbit one the VanderPol's gave them at their baby shower :)  They only have 2 of those but plenty of other books.

Here are some other things that I think they would enjoy that we don't have already.  They only need one not two of any given toy.  They are too young to understand that each gets his own.  Plus we are trying to teach them to share anyways :)

Push Toy:  http://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-scoop-whirl-popper/-/A-14050696#prodSlot=medium_2_47&term=push toy

Bounce toy:  http://www.target.com/p/vtech-bouncing-turtle/-/A-11210769#prodSlot=medium_13_23

Ride-on toy: http://www.target.com/p/playskool-poppin-park-bounce-n-ride/-/A-13437081#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

http://www.target.com/p/bright-starts-having-a-ball-pop-roll-roadster/-/A-14098638#prodSlot=medium_7_26

Canopy for their wagon:  http://www.target.com/p/radio-flyer-wagon-canopy/-/A-10298412#prodSlot=medium_6_54



They each also have a 529c college fund account set up.  Money towards their college fund is always welcomed.  We deposit money in to each every month, and any extra boost will be that much better for them.  You can either give us the money directly or we can give you a mail in deposit slip.  The minimum deposit/contribution amount is $50 per account, so if you aren't wanting to do that much, we will deposit it all together.

We are going to get them a nice toy organization system and a table and chair set.

I hope this list gives you some ideas!

It's fall already??

Wow, it has been a long time since I have given an update on the boys.  They are almost 17 months and doing GREAT.  Leyton didn't have to have the eye surgery and Parker's eyes are improving too!  I never notice them crossing them at all!  So relieved that is behind us!

Leyton is walking everywhere.  He is still a little wobbly but getting better.  No major spills yet thank goodness!  Parker has confidence issues with walking.  I hold his hands and help him walk and chant, "Go Parker, GO!" and he looks up at me and smiles.  If I barely let go or move the wrong way, he immediately plops his bottom on the floor because he is scared of falling!  He is also nervous on the push walker.  I think that Leyton picks on him a lot so he is always looking out for himself.  If Parker and I are doing the walker, Leyton comes and wants to take it.  I've started to put Leyton in the playpen so Parker and I can do this, but I can tell Parker is still looking for Leyton to come steal it.  Poor bub.  I really think it's just a confidence issue for him, so hopefully I can help him gain his confidence :)

They like to sit on the floor and sing and dance.  They are starting to clap their hands when we do pat-a-cake, and after we are done singing, Leyton will try to start singing it again!  It sounds like "kye-CAY kye-CAY" and is SO adorable!  Parker will sing along with a toy that sings the ABC's going "uh uh uh uh uh" like he is saying the individual letters.  They aren't really saying any words to communicate, but they jabber a lot back and forth and mimic each other, and will repeat mama and dada if we say them.  They also know how to wave hi and bye.  Grams just taught Leyton "SO BIG" but we are still working on Parker.

They are learning to test boundaries.  They get in to things they aren't supposed to and sometimes we will call their name and they completely ignore us.  Other times they will turn around and look to acknowledge that they heard you, and turn around and touch whatever they were touching.

They are eating for the most part very well.  Parker is still finicky with the milk.  They are starting to get tired of eating the same old things we have been feeding them, so they often stump me at meal time.  One thing Parker can never get enough of is CHEESE.  He LOVES cheese.  Pretty much all he ate today was cheese, yogurt, and the pumpkin bran muffins I made.

They LOVE to take baths, go swing at the park, and just run around the house squealing and squalling.  They are so energetic and happy.

Happy Fall!

15 month check-up

Sorry I have been awful about keeping this updated!  First things first, I never told everyone about Leyton's pre-op appointment for surgery which was a couple of weeks ago.  We went in 3 days before scheduled surgery and the doctor couldn't believe it.  His eyes are looking SO much better, which we had noticed, but he said since it is improving, his binocular vision is developing and he cancelled the surgery!  He took a peek at Parker's eyes and said he is fine too!  We go back in October just to be safe.  We couldn't be any more RELIEVED.  I was totally dreading my baby going under anesthesia and his eyes being messed with.

This morning we had their 15 month check-up.  They were crawling all over table and having a blast at the doctor's new office.  I was completely frazzled because they have normal ceilings now and for whatever didn't put in acoustic ceiling tiles so it was SO loud in that room with two chatty boys.

Parker weighs 15lbs 10oz.  He was 14lbs 14oz at their 12 month check up, so not too bad.  He is 28 1/4 inches long.  Long skinny boy.  The doctor was glad that he is doing better eating, and said we can switch him to all whole milk now!  Thank goodness we won't have to mix formula any more!  He was impressed with his jibber jabbering.

Leyton weighs 18lbs 12oz, and is 29 inches long.  He is still in the less than 5th percentile for height and weight, but he is in the 50th-75th for head circumference.  Big headed boy!  The doctor was pleased to hear that Leyton didn't have to have the surgery.

They had 3 shots today, including their flu vaccine.  They were not happy about the shots AT ALL.

On our way home, we stopped in to see Dr. Zaretsky since the pediatrician's new place is by Dr. Z's.  He was so excited to see them; he loves seeing TTTS survivor babies.  The boys were very odd around him.  Quiet and bashful.  Leyton especially.  I said he must be being sweet because he knows you saved his life.  Dr. Z wants to write a paper on nutritional aspects of TTTS survivors.  I asked some other moms in one of my TTTS groups if they noticed their little baby had eating issues.  I said I am almost certain that Parker is used to getting just enough to survive, so that's what he continues to do.  A lot of other moms said they felt the same way; that their little baby was still stuck in survival mode.  Dr. Z thinks its fascinating and is going to see what he can do to get a study going! How neat!

Since I last posted, it doesn't feel like a whole lot has changed.  They are still not walking, and although Leyton can stand, he still refuses to take steps.  That is fine by me, I am in no rush for them to be walking!  They chase each other around constantly.  They really do love each other even though they steal each other's toys, hit each other, and climb on one another.  It's cute to catch them giving each other kisses.  They like mimicking each other too.  They yell, scream, and talk like little aliens back and forth.  They taught Max how to scream back and forth too.  It is only getting louder in this house!

Leyton's eye surgery postponed

We had to postpone Leyton's eye surgery because they BOTH are sick.  He has to be well for 3 weeks to be put under anesthesia.  SOOOO new date is August 10th.

They are not getting any younger!!! :(

Yesterday they were 13 months old and I didn't even think about it.  Now they're over a year!  Oh my.  This mommy business is something else.  I am selling clothes, and putting things away.  This is all so much!  I just don't like that you can't pause time sometimes.

We won't be back to the pediatrician until 15 months, so I don't have any weight updates.  I am sure Parker is over 15lbs and I'd guess Leyton us up to 18.5lbs.  Leyton has almost made the complete switch to whole milk and Parker is getting SO much better at feeding himself without gagging!  I don't know how much longer he will be taking his formula since he really likes to eat.  I can sense that he wants to be done with the bottle, but I need him to get those extra calories!  They are both drinking their formula/milk in sippy cups; no more bottles.  Leyton can let go and stand for a while, but no steps yet.  I think it will still be a while before either decide to walk.

Leyton is scheduled for eye surgery 2 weeks from today on July 13th.  He will be under full anesthesia.  I am really nervous, so I ask for many many prayers for us.  Thank you!

One year olds

Geez, we have two one year olds.  What the heck.

I have been putting off writing this post because I have been SO busy and am finally getting a little down time.  It takes a lot of effort to sort through all our pictures and decide which to share, also with having mommy brain I have to sit down a few times and edit what I said in the blog to make sure I included everything about everyone.  So here goes, sorry if it's not the best blog I've ever written.

The party was so much fun.  Because we are limited on space, we were only able to invite close friends and family.  There were still tons of people packed in our small house!  All of the boys' friends came; we had a total of 8 baby boys here who are all around a year old.  I am so upset I forgot to take a picture of all of them together.  We had a Dr. Seuss theme.  It was SO cute.  My friend Lindsay helped me a ton with all the decorations.  I had big dreams for their first party, and she helped them come true!

Watch us grow banner of all their monthly pictures

Rick smoked some ribs and a brisket.  He enjoyed cooking!  Here are some pictures of the snacks:

Cat in the Hat hats

Truffula Tree cake pops

Close up of the trees

Thing 1 & Thing 2 cupcakes

 I made Thing 1 & Thing 2 emblem smash cakes which were red and white with black lettering.  Big mistake.  Their faces were a nasty red/brown color.  Did not make for pretty cake pictures AT ALL.

"Hey Leyton, why is everyone looking at us?"  "I don't know, but I have a feeling something is going to happen.  I'm hungry."

They cried when everyone sang

Leyton loved his cake.  He dug right in:

{Panting like a DOG}

JUST GIVE IT TO ME ALREADY

Dat GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

Parker was a little more apprehensive.  He preferred beating his cake like a drum:

"Here, give it."

What now?

Bath time.

The party was a hit and the boys had a great time.  Thanks to everyone who was able to make it!

On their actual birthday, we decided to go to the Arboretum since we couldn't think of anything else fun for 1 year olds to actually DO, but I didn't want to sit around the house and do nothing!  The Chihuly exhibit is still running right now.  We got some cool pictures:

Taking a break from the heat and cooling off with our spritz bottle 

Sweet P

Of course, here is our classic monthly couch photo

Thank goodness this is the LAST month we have to do this!  These boys do not sit still!

They had their one year checkup last week.  Leyton weighs 18lbs 1oz and is 28 inches tall.  Parker is 14lbs 14oz and 26 3/4 inches long.  The doctor says they both look great and are developmentally on target!  He wants us to keep Parker on mostly formula for now since he is still lagging behind a lot.  Parker also shows some texture sensitivity and does not feed himself as well as Leyton is.  He is making drastic improvement though, so we don't think feeding therapy will be necessary.  Leyton is doing well feeding himself, so we are using up the last of his formula and then he will be done with the ba ba.  They are both crawling all over the house and pulling up on everything.  They chase each other around like little ants.  It is so fun to watch.  Here is a video of them cutting up.  This was taken on their birthday night:

Hopefully we have a couple months until they begin walking.  We are not ready for that yet!  Other development news, Leyton is trying to mimic what we say.  It's funny.  I swear the other night I asked him if he was done and it sounded like he said "I'm done eating."  I know it wasn't real, but it was weird!  We haven't officially declared their first words.  They both will look at us and repeat mama and dada, but we're still not 100% certain they associate it with us (although Rick will tell you otherwise).

A look back to their birthday.  I'm not sure how many of these photos people have actually seen.  Please don't be scared of my NICU babies.  They look like they are fighting for dear life, but they were really doing good.

Me & Dr. Mac

Dad suiting up!

In the OR, ready to go!  TWO!!!!!

Leyton

Parker

Meeting Leyton. 4lbs 7oz

Meeting our tiny Peanut. 2lbs 10oz

Leyton first arriving to the NICU

Leyton ready to hang out in the NICU for a while

Parker first arriving in the NICU

Parker ready to DESTROY this NICU!

Getting to see Parker before being taken back to my room for the remainder of the day

Leyton making himself at home

I could sit here all night and look through these NICU pictures and share them, but I must go to bed.

I know I say this all the time, and I probably will never stop saying it, so if it drives you crazy, get over it!!!  We are SO blessed to have these boys.  We are beyond lucky and beyond amazed with the boys and the many many doctors and nurses who MADE SURE we took these two boys HOME with us.  TTTS is an awful disease, and those who walk away from it with two babies are very VERY lucky.  Some people didn't know their babies had TTTS before they were gone.  Some people didn't get the option to have a surgery to save one or both.  Some, the doctors did everything they could and TTTS simply won and took their babies.  Bottom line is MOST people do NOT get away from TTTS with two babies.  If you think I will EVER shut up about TTTS, you are wrong.  It's like the lottery.  We won.  We beat the odds.  We are lucky, we are blessed, we are thankful and eternally grateful.

Happy first birthday to our miracle boys.