4 1/2 month check up

It should come as no surprise to anyone who's seem him lately that Jackson is over 14 pounds! He officially weighs in at 14 lb. 6 oz. (25th - 50th percentile). Lola is still petite at 12 lb. 9 oz. (10th - 25th percentile). The doctor is happy with both babies' growth in weight, length, and head circumference. Jackson is now still in the 10th - 25th percentile for head and length. Lola has moved from the 3rd to 5th percentile for head and length. Look how big they are! And how cute they are holding hands!The doctor is also very pleased that the babies are developing right on schedule. The only milestone on the checklist that they didn't hit was seeming interested in themselves in the mirror. The one missing check mark must have disturbed Lola greatly because the same day before we took a bath she started smiling and laughing at her reflection. I hope she's grows up to be so determined to make As in school. I'm pretty sure Jackson was eating when the doctor was going down the checklist and is oblivious to the milestones he has and hasn't hit.

Look how alert they are playing with their toys in their excersaucer:

Other details:
We will be on the Neosure preemie formula until 6 months and then we can probably change to regular formula (for which they have comparable off brands :)

Both babies seems to have some eczema so they are getting Aquaphor ointment for that. Also, we will be bathing them in special body wash (Cetaphil) to help combat the problem. In addition, Jackson has some contact dermatitis. Nothing to be worried about "yet," the doctor says. "He doesn't need a steroid shot yet." So much for only using the expensive dye free and fragerence free detergent on the baby cloths. For my "sensitive" children everything will now be washed in "free" products. To bad that those "free" products have to cost so much. Isn't it curious that products with fewer ingredients cost more: fragrence free cleaning products, natural food...

Lola is staying on Lactalose for her constipation, a problem that the doctor feels is likely to clear up when she starts eating food. I hope so. That kid has been on medicine since she was born.

And speaking of eating food, they can now have baby oatmeal and at 5 months (that's only 2 1/2 weeks away) they can start eating baby food fruits and vegetables. I hope the all natural detergent and body wash can get out green beans and carrots!

And to end the update, a pic of mom and Lola enjoying some quality time on the Boppys:

Finally, an update!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I was doing so well, but life just gets in the way some times! But just look at these pictures and I bet you think it was worth the wait!

The babies are doing very well. We go back to the doctor on Wednesday and I think Jackson could reach 14 pounds! Lola doesn't feel like she has gained as much weight, remaining as little and dainty as ever.
One thing her small size affords her is greater flexibility and mobility. She can roll over from her back to her stomach now and is doing so often. And she is trying desperately to crawl. She does move forward at a rate of about a foot every 3o minutes. All this means I can leave her on her back and run to load the dishwasher but if I'm too slow she will have herself flipped over and trying to get away. I'm thrilled about her early development but am realizing quickly that it's going to force me to babyproof sooner than I had anticipated.

Jackson doesn't much like being on his stomach so he isn't progressing quite as quickly rolling and crawling. He is, however, doing really well at sitting up and standing. If I sit him on the floor and put his hands in front of him he can sit like that for a good 5 - 10 seconds before tipping over sideways. And he loves to stand! Every time I hold him chest to chest while I'm sitting down he immediately stands up in my lap and looks over my shoulder.

The babies have done well so far eating cereal, although I will admit I have been less than vigilant with feeding them every night. Not because they don't enjoy it, but because it's quite a process. So enough talk, right. I know what everyone's really after...Pictures!

Sorry there's not time for more. The babies are busier than ever and I seem to be no less exhausted. But check back Thursday and I promise more pics and updated stats. I'm taking Jackson and Lola to their 4 1/2 month check up and will have new weights, etc. Maybe will get the news that we can try more food soon!

Picture Post

Here are some cute pics from the past week:
Jackson's shirt won't even fit over his head. I think we have started outgrowing the 0-3 months cloths!
Lola and Jackson both napping in their crib AT THE SAME TIME! A major accomplishment. It only lasted 10 minutes, but what a sweet 10 minutes they were!
A couple of pics with big smiles from Lola. Certainly not a rarity around the house, but rarely caught on camera!
And here is Lola asleep at the trough, so to speak. She was screaming for food (or so it seemed) so I put her on her Boppy and went to make a bottle. When I came back this is what I found. She slept in that position (supervised of course) for over an hour.
Ok, the babies are hungry or tired or need to be changed. Anyway, they are calling me from their swings. Check back soon!