the ridlehoover family blog

This was a big week for Hunter:  He was circumcised on Thursday, and he had a hip ultrasound today.  Everything went well on both accounts. The circumcision was quite traumatic, both for Hunter and Mom & Dad.  It seemed as though he was in excruciating pain - except that he quit crying the moment we gave him some sugar water.  And, he only cried when the sugar water was gone.  All I can say is thank God I don't remember my circumcision!  And, thank God, he won't remember his!  (I know, I know.  TMI!) As for the hip ultrasound, our pediatrician recommended it due to the fact that Hunter was in a breach position at birth.  The procedure, which was over in less than 15 minutes, looks at the hip joints to make sure the sockets formed correctly.  If a fetus spends too much time in a breach position (folded so that their feet are up by their head), the hip joint can form a weak socket for the head of the femur.  In Hunter's case, everything looked good - just like the rest of him!

Just posted a couple more shots, including this one entitled "Hmmm...":

I've uploaded a few more pictures from Grandma and Grandpa Slater's visit with Hunter and Grace, including this one, which I call "Nap Time":

Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Mo are up from Sacramento, visiting Hunter & Grace.  As you can see, we put them right to work! So far, Hunter is flirting with his grandma... And, Gracie is giving grandpa a good once over... More pictures at our web gallery.

Yes, it has.  Both Hunter and Grace are doing well.  I weighed them at bath time tonight.  Hunter is gaining on Grace!  Hunter now weighs 9 pounds, 5 ounces.  And, Gracie weighs 9 pounds, 15 ounces!

Hunter & Grace had their one month checkup today.  Both passed with flying colors.  Dad was a little concerned about Gracie not eating as much as her brother.  But, she's gained over an ounce a day since the two week checkup.  So, she's doing fine.  And, Hunter?  Well, he's a little eating machine! Hunter is now 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 20.5 inches.  Gracie is now 9 pounds, 6 ounces and 21.25 inches.  Weeds they are.  Beautiful, flowering, happy little weeds! Gotta run.  One of the weeds is crying.

I weighed Hunter and Grace last night before their baths.  Hunter is now 11 pounds, 7 ounces - up 3 ounces in three days.  Grace is 11 pounds, 8 ounces - up 2 ounces in three days.  At this rate, Hunter and Grace should weigh the same on Memorial Day.

<< Hunter O'Neil Ridlehoover was born today at 8:21 AM.  He weighed four pounds, fifteen ounces and measured seventeen and three quarters inches.  Hunter's name comes from his parents' middle names, which are both family names.  Hunter is Jill's mother's maiden name.  And, O'Neil goes back four generations on Alan's side.

>> Sarah Grace Ridlehoover was born today at 8:22 AM.  Gracie weighed seven pounds, fourteen ounces and measured nineteen inches.  Gracie's name comes from her parents' maternal grandmothers.  Jill's grandmother was Sarah Doris.  Alan's grandmother is Annie Grace. Glutton for cute baby pictures? Get your fix.

What's that you say?  What happened to the first day of spring? Well, the best laid plans... Last week, Jill strained a muscle in her abdomen.  She might have done it turning over in bed.  Or, she might have done it getting in the car.  We're not sure.  But, the pain was strong enough that Jill couldn't take a deep breath.  At first, we thought maybe she was going into labor.  Fortunately, we were already scheduled to see our doctor that day.  So, he was able to diagnose the muscle strain and send us home with some Vicadin.  Jill's been taking it easy ever since - sleeping a lot, only leaving the house for doctor appointments.  I've been at home with her since the middle of last week. After seeing Jill in so much pain last week, and after recording an elevated blood pressure, Dr. Zimmer decided that we should go ahead and schedule a C-section sooner rather than later.  He set it up for today at 7:30 AM.  So, sometime shortly after that, Jill and I will be new parents!!!  We couldn't be more excited - or nervous! We'll do our best to get word out when the time comes.  But, for those of you who'd like to call or drop by to check on us, we're delivering at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue.  The number is (425) 688-5351.  We'll probably be at the hospital through Sunday. Keep us in your thoughts!

I'm a slacker.  This I know.  It's been a very long time since I last published an update about Jill and the twins.  In my defense, I have been on the phone to many friends and family.  But, it's past time... So, let's start with some numbers:

• Today is 35.2 - That means that today is the second day of the 36th week of this pregnancy.
• On average, twins are born after 36 weeks gestation (of 36.0).  That would be next Wednesday (3/5).
• Full term for twins is considered 37 weeks gestation, which would be a week from next Wednesday (3/12).
• And, if labor hasn't started by about 38 and a half weeks, it is usually induced.  That would be the first day of Spring, Friday, 3/21.
• For reference, a full-term singleton pregnancy is 40 weeks, which is why our official due date is actually 4/2.

Jill says she's shooting for the first day of Spring!  And, you know what?  She might actually make it! She's doing great!  She's still working (some - from bed, mostly).  And, she's still able to do things around the house (despite my repeated requests to let me do it).  In fact, all of the medical professionals we talk to are astounded at how well she is doing, especially considering that there is now about 12 pounds of baby in her!  That's right - 12 pounds!  We learned today that baby A (the boy) is about 5 pounds, 2 ounces.  And, baby B (the girl) is a whopping 6 pounds, 13 ounces!  Though, Phil (our ultrasound guy) said that the measurements are probably a bit low for him and a bit high for her. This was our last "growth" ultrasound before the twins are born.  The next time we know their weight, they'll be on a scale in the delivery room.  It seems so far off, still.  But, it's just around the corner.  It could happen any time.  So, the bag is packed.  We're on pins and needles...