I just uploaded a video of Gracie rolling over. This was her third roll ever. As you can see, she clearly enjoys it. But, since she figured it out, she refuses to stay on her tummy for tummy-time. You can view the video below (courtesy of YouTube), or you can view a higher quality version at our gallery. As for Hunter, he's working hard trying to learn this trick himself. He's almost there... Stay tuned for that video...
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6MWx9UC0fo&feature=player_profilepage]
It's about time I finally got off my duff and posted some new pictures of Hunter and Grace. Check out our gallery for all the latest, including pictures from our wedding and Jim & Babs wedding. In the meantime, here are a couple of shots taken by Leya Stefanski of Little Monkey Photography at the recent EMOMs picnic:
This week marked Grace and Hunter's four month birthday. To celebrate, we took them to the doctor for four shots each. They were not amused - though, they did seem to enjoy the liquid Tylenol. Mmmm, cherry!
The day after the shots, both babies ran a bit of a fever, which is to be expected with vaccinations. We gave them one more dose of Tylenol and they slept a good bit that day. By the day after that, they were back to their normal, happy, smiling, talking selves.
Here's what else we learned from our doctor:
Grace weighed 13 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 24.5 inches. That's an increase of over five pounds and over five inches in four months, keeping Grace in the 50th percentile. More importantly, the doctor could NOT hear the heart murmur that he identified in our first visit back in March. (Gracie was born with a very minor ventricular septal defect (or VSD). That's a long way of saying she had a very small hole in the wall of her heart between the left and right ventricles.) This is VERY good news. It means that as Gracie is growing, the hole is likely closing. We'll go back to the cardiologist in another two months for an ultrasound to verify what our pediatrician is hearing through his stethoscope.
Hunter weighed 14 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 25 inches, tripling his birth weight and growing over seven inches in length. What's amazing about that? Well, at birth, Hunter was in the 10th percentile in size. Now, he's above the 50th percentile! So, he's definitely caught up! The only concern for Hunter is the flat spot that has developed on the left side of the back of his head. The doctor wants more tummy time, to get him off his head, as well as interesting things to look at to Hunter's right when he is lying on his back. If the spot is still there in a couple more months, Hunter may need to wear a helmet to protect his head and allow it to reshape correctly. (Update: See Hunter's Head & Gracie's Revenge to get a look at Hunter's helmet.)
Here's where the twins stand developmentally:
Both are eating very well, as their growth numbers indicate. Both are very happy babies, full of smiles - especially for Mom and Dad. We're asked all the time if they're always so sweet. The honest answer is no. But, they're almost always that sweet. Hunter is really good at blowing raspberries and pushing himself up when he's on his tummy. Gracie has less patience for tummy time. But, she's actually showing the ability to move herself around to get to the toy she wants. (She slides along on her back, twisting her shoulders and pushing with her feet.
We've received several requests for more pictures - especially those from our recent trips to Spokane and Sacramento. I'll get to that soon. Stay tuned...
Haven't blogged at all for over a week! I don't know about you, but I sure feel withdrawal pains. So, without further ado, here's the latest: Hunter not only passed Gracie, he now weighs over 12 pounds! Not to be outdone, Gracie weighs 11 pounds, 13 ounces!
We recently switched from Level 1 nipples (slow flow for newborns) to Level 2 nipples (faster flow for 3 month olds). As a result, Gracie has increased her daily intake of formula, though Hunter is still eating more. The little guy is just an eating machine! Bet you can't guess where he's putting all those extra calories...
Today, Hunter had his first game of peek-a-boo with Mom, complete with smiles galore. Just documenting the event...
Hunter and Gracie turned two months old, today. To celebrate, we took them to the doctor for a checkup. The kids both received excellent marks from the doctor, and a poke in each leg from the nurse - one poke for DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), another poke for Hib (bacterial meningitis). Objections were heard and tears were shed. But, Mom and Dad had bottles ready to help ease the pain.
For the insanely curious, both babies grew overnight. Here are their new dimensions:
Hunter
- Weight: 10 pounds, 11.5 ounces (25th percentile)
- Length: 21.75 inches (10th percentile)
- Head: 37.75 cm (10th percentile)
- Weight: 10 pounds, 14 ounces (50th percentile)
- Length: 22.25 inches (50th percentile)
- Head: 39 cm (50-75th percentile)
Hunter is now 10 pounds, 10 ounces. Gracie maintains her lead by the narrowest of margins. She's now 10 pounds, 13 ounces.
Just posted a couple of videos to our .Mac Web Gallery. This is what I do to stay awake waiting on the late night feedings. Enjoy!
Today's weigh in results: Hunter weighs 10 pounds, 2 ounces! Grace weighs 10 pounds, 8 ounces! He's less than half a pound behind...
Gracie and I played our first game of peek-a-boo, today. I covered her face with a swaddle blanket, then pulled it back and said "peek-a-boo!" in a silly voice. Grace seemed to love it. She smiled every time I did it. She even stuck her left arm up in the air like a tent pole to keep the blanket off her face. She's also seems to be starting to smile on recognition of our faces, which is absolutely incredible.
I'll catch a picture of one of these smiles eventually! Until then, check out the new pictures I uploaded to the Hunter & Grace gallery.