Anyway, here are the boys' stats from their 1 year check-up from today:
Isaac
Height: 28 1/2" (13%)
Weight: 23lbs 4oz (58%)
Head Cicumference: 18 1/2" (69%)
Eli
Height: 25" (<3%)
Weight: 16lbs 4oz (0.09%)
Head Circumference: 16 1/2" (0.02%)
Also, over the past couple of weeks, both boys have been evaluated by physical therapists, and we will be working with them weekly to help the boys catch-up with developemental milestones. Isaac's evaluation showed him ranging from anywhere from 7-9 months old. The low end was based on the fact that he isn't quite crawling yet. Eli ranged anywhere from 1-5 (or 6, can't remember for sure) months on the scale. His low end has to do with tummy time- he gets on his belly and thinks it's time to sleep, so we've gotta work on him wanting to play on his belly and bear weight on his arms in that position. I try really hard to not let myself get too discouraged about these delays. The physical therapist for Isaac said he's pretty much on track for his adjusted age- as if he had been born around his May 1st due date- so that is good. And Eli's physical therapist said she was actually suprised that he's doing as well as he is, given his extensive medical history. And that there is no reason for us to worry about them both not catching up- they both show signs that they want to grow, move, develop... they just need time and a little extra work. So starting in March, we will go to physical therapy for an hour every week. (They will each have their own therapist that they will work with individually for that hour, in the same room, so I can be with both of them. I don't have to stay for 2 hrs, or take them at different times/days. Thankful for that!) They are expecting the boys to need it at that once-weekly rate till they are walking. They estimate that to be 3-6 months for Isaac and about a year for Eli.
General Health Update, and other Fun Facts:
Isaac
Like I've posted before, Isaac has been "cleared" or "graduated" from all of the doctors that were origianlly following him when he left the NICU. The only follow-up appointment he has is for sometime this Spring or Summer with the eye doctor. They just want to do one more check to verify his eyes are ok. So far, all his other eye exams have been fine. Other than going to see our pediatrician for regular check-ups (and of course tagging along with Eli to his doctor visits), he's a free man! We do have a teacher from TEIS that comes once a week to the house, and like I said above, he will be starting once-weekly PT- these are both to hopefully help him catch-up with development by age 2-3 years old. He takes 4 bottles a day, and purreed baby foods 3 times a day. (And if we'd let him have more, he'd take it!) It's hard to tell what his favorites are, because, well, he likes everything... He has 2 little teeth on the bottom, and is starting to cut one on the top. I think it's time for me to try some finger foods. We've experiemented some with a sippy cup with whole milk, but he usually just likes to wave it around like a toy. He does drink it some, but we need to work more on that. He does seem to spit up quite a bit, and is usually sporting a bib over his t-shirt of the day. He goes to bed between 8:00-9:00pm, and wakes up around 8:00am. He usually takes 2 really good naps everyday- morning and afternoon- anywhere from 1-2 hours. He is a little roly-poly. I literally turn my head for 2 seconds and he's on the other side of the room. His favorite toys are things that aren't actually toys- TV remotes, cell phones, Eli's O2 cord... but he does also love balls and anything that lights up. He likes books too- Especially the farm animal one that makes the animal noises. He also loves the jumperoo- goes crazy in that thing! He would rather stand than sit, and sometimes gets upset with me if I make him sit on his bottom. He's my silly man for sure. Very vocal and loud when it comes to making random noises- like growling and shrieking noises- kind of like a pterodactyl... He makes the "ba," ga," and "da" sounds. He goes "mmmmm" sometimes, but no "mama" yet. He is very happy and a total flirt. He gets a lot of attention whever he goes, because he's always got a smile to share. But he also doesn't have any problem letting you know when he doesn't like something- like the other night when I shared a little bite of chocolate ice cream with him, and he didn't like it that I wasn't continuing to share it :). He's usually the center of attention, and totally fine with that. He likes for everyone in the room to be paying attention to him. Silly boy. He loves his mama :), and usually protests if I walk out of the room (even if he's in dada's lap). Don't get me wrong, he loves his Daddy, too, but he's a Mama's boy so far. I'll take it :). He has to be rocked to sleep, and I dont' mind it :). He loves for me to sing to him, and his favorite song is one I made up when he was just a tiny little man still in the NICU. I sing it so much, that my family and friends actually know most of the song too, and sometimes I forget it's not actually a "real" song...
Eli
Eli is still on oxygen 24/7, on about 1/8th of a Liter (125cc's). Still using the g-tube for formula feeds during the day, and a contiuous feed by a pump at night. He eats pureed baby foods by mouth ususally 2 times a day. This man loves his veggies- especially green beans! Dr's visits are getting a little less frequent. Lung Clinic every 6-8 weeks to monitor O2. Still not sure when he'll be off the O2- maybe, just maybe, this summer. But we'll see. We visit the plastic surgery clinic and an orthodist for helmet adjustment every 5-6 weeks. Visits to the eye, liver, orthopedic, and cardiac clinics come about every 6 months or so for check-ups. He sees the TEIS teacher in our home weekly, and will be in PT weekly, too- same goal as to hopefully have him caught-up with development by age 2-3 years. Eli goes to bed between 9:00-10:00pm, and wakes up around 8:00am. We've noticed recently that he sneeks in a little cat nap around 6:00-6:30pm- I think it's so he can stay up later and have mama and daddy all to himself once brother Isaac goes to bed. And he's just so darn sweet that we let him do it :). He is getting better about taking a couple of longer naps during the day, but for the longest time he just took little cat naps all throughout the day- anywhere from 15-45 min. But, he's finally starting to catch on to the idea of longer naps. People think Eli is so quiet, but at home and in the car, he's my chatty one. He's always telling me "ga ga ga" and "da da da" and "gee gee gee..." He also loves his tounge- loves to stick it out, and loves to rattle it on his lips (what's that called?)... I think he just likes the noise it makes, and the fact that it makes us laugh. Speaking of laughs, he has the best belly laugh and giggle of any baby around. It's too funny, the laugh that comes from that little man! Eli loves his paci- he's not obsessed with it like he used to be, but I would say it's still his favorite comfort item. Chris bought him a little light-up, spinny, wand toy, and he loves it! He stares at it then tires to fit the huge globe in his mouth. He loves little balls and plastic chain link toys that he can wave around and clink together. He used to fuss a little bit when he got sleepy to let you know to just put him down and he would put himself to sleep, but now he's starting to fuss a little for you to pick him up and cuddle him. I don't mind :). He's more of my one-on-one man. I think he gets overwhelmed in big crowds most of the time, but he will laugh and giggle and talk to whoever is holding him and playing with him. He's very laid back the majority of the time. I have to make more of a conscious effort to play with him, check on him, etc... not because I don't love him equally to Isaac, but just because he's just so content most of the time. He entertains himself, and he's so patient when I need to do something for Isaac. (Unlike Isaac, my "squeeky wheel" who always makes sure I'm paying attention to him :)...) If Eli cries it's a real cry, and you know he truly needs something or that something is wrong. Eli likes it when I sing to him- our song is "You are my Sunshine," and we also like to change the words to "Old McDonald" to "Old McGannon" and "Eli-Eli-O" :).
I am so blessed to have these 2 handsome, little gentlemen in my life. And even though it's only been a year... I really can hardly remember life before them. Can't wait to see what the next year brings! Happy Birthday to my 2 sweet boys :).
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