The boys are growing like weeds. It's hard to believe they were 2.5 & 4.5 pounds at birth! Parker weighs around 10lbs and Leyton around 12lbs. Both appear to have minor setbacks developmentally, but theoretically they are supposed to be 2 months behind on all their developmental milestones since they were 2 months early, so considering that, they are about half way between their actual age and their adjusted age developmentally - I think. They saw a developmental therapist in the NICU and will see them again in November.
The boys also had their first ECHO since birth mid August. I'm sure you assume you would have heard if something was wrong. The good news is after being able to better see Leyton's heart, they confirmed that it is entirely normal, and nothing was damaged due to the Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome! In the NICU, someone heard a tiny murmur in Parker, and the ECHO showed that he has a very normal murmur for infants. It is an innocent murmur, which he will grow out of. One of the vessels (not sure if I'm describing it correctly) is small, so it makes a swoosh. It will become less audible as he grows. Leyton also has this, but this was the first time we heard about it! We go back in February to make sure that the murmurs are gone, and that the tiny holes that most infants have when born are closed.
We are so lucky to have the continued support of Grammy, Grams, & Pappy. They take turns staying the night with us Monday-Thursday. The boys are getting much better about sleeping through the night. For about a month now, they have been sleeping anywhere from 5-9 hours at night! We still have our occasional crabby night, which brings me to the reason they are not doing as well as they could be....
....REFLUX. They were diagnosed at their 2 month check-up, and we actually went back to the doctor a few weeks ago to get our questions cleared up. A lot of babies have reflux, due to a sphincter in their esophagus' not working properly. About half of babies outgrow it by 6 months, and most by 1 year. They were having difficulty eating, but now they are on Prevacid, which helps reduce the acid in their tummies. Feedings are so much easier now in that regard. They are still barfing though... Some days it's at the end of every feed, sometimes it's just a couple times a day. Could be just a little, sometimes it's a lot. We have learned "the barf face" and trained our helpers on barf face. When you see it, you run to the tile, and if you think they are going to barf and can't intervene, you go to the sink. If you catch barf face early enough and they haven't instantly soaked you, we are trying a new technique Rick came up with. We hold them out in front of us and drop them quickly. Rick thinks this causes the gravity to force it back down. So far, it has been about 75% effective! We really like this, because barfing for the boys is no fun. It hurts them so much. It comes out their nose, not to mention all the hard work they just did to eat is gone. Parker cries hysterically after barfing, and sometimes makes mommy cry for him too. Leyton is a much better barfer than Parker. He usually just fusses a little after he barfs. We burp them frequently, and keep them elevated after feedings. This seems to help a little. They have these crazy wedge pillows that have harnesses on them so they can sleep at a 30 degree angle. Parker HATES it, Leyton usually could care less. They look like they are parachuting. Poor kids. We cannot wait until they outgrow this. It makes it so hard for us to leave the house with them!
Here they are parachuting:
And here is one we took on their 3 month birthday:
Aww poor little guys! Hope their reflux gets better soon! :o(
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