Growing girl

Louise had her 7 year old "well child" checkup on Tuesday.  "Well child" needed parentheses, in this case, because she left the office with a diagnosis of bronchitis.  The nurse also concluded during the visit that Louise is virtually blind in her left eye (20/200 vision), so we'll have a follow-up visit to an ophthalmologist later in the year.

On the plus side, Louise continues to grow.  She is now a towering 4' 2.5" (the half inch is critical!), which puts her in the 88th percentile.  She weighs 59.75 lbs (83%).

Goldie

Louise had her 6 year old well child visit yesterday and is now 3' 11.5" (87% percentile) and 53 lb 12.8 oz (87% percentile).

Below is a photo of the pet fish Louise received for her birthday last weekend. She had wanted a pet and we agreed on a fish. He is named "Goldie". He seems to be doing well, having survived 5 days so far!

The two year olds who ate our preemies...

Charlotte & Claire had their two year well child visits today. They each got a shot; Charlotte was very brave and didn't cry very much. Claire was diagnosed with an ear infection, so now all three kids are taking antibiotics. We recommend buying stocks in Yoplait.

Charlotte & Claire are officially BIG girls. Their vitals:
Charlotte - 26.5 lbs (50th percentile), 35.5 inches tall (90th percentile), head circumference of 50 cm (95th percentile)
Claire - 30.5 lbs (90th percentile), 35 inches tall, head circumference of 50.5 cm

(For comparison, Louise at 2 was 37.5 in tall and 31 lbs)

Yes, we do let Charlotte eat, and no, we had no idea her head had gotten so big. We suspect it has something to do with Daddy going on and on about how cute & delightful she is.

Not so well children checkups

We finally have rain in Hillsborough. As Louise watched rain fill our street, she declared, "I want to go ride my bike!" She got thoroughly soaked. She laughed with delight as she wedged her training wheels in the mud in such a way that when she peddled, her bike did not move and water spurted up the rear tyre. After she fell, it was gently suggested that it might be a good idea to go inside and have a bath. "No, Mummy - I just need to wipe my legs on your trousers." It's nice to have a purpose.

Charlotte & Claire had their 18 month check-ups yesterday. Claire is still 3 lbs heavier than her sister. Both girls are developmentally normal, but we learned that they both have double ear infections. The paediatrician also gave some advice about teaching Charlotte to soothe herself to sleep. We're optimistic that within 3 weeks, both toddlers will be weaned and go to sleep quickly and quietly.

Their vitals:

Charlotte - 23 lbs, 15 oz

33 in. tall

48.5 cm head circumference

Claire - 27 lbs, 1 oz

33.5 in tall

50 cm head circumference

Easter weekend

We had a good start to the Easter weekend. Louise enjoyed an Easter Egg hunt near her sisters' day care. That afternoon she went for quiet time and slept for over 2 hours. Those who know Louise know how strange that was. She had a loss of appetite and was lethargic; this lasted all through Sunday and into today. We made an appointment for Louise to see the Doctor at the same time as her sisters had their 12 month checkup. Louise was diagnosed with strep throat (a bacterial infection) and is now on antibiotics. She is contagious so will be out of daycare until Wednesday.

Charlotte and Claire had a good visit with the pediatrician. Each got 3 vaccinations (MMR, Hep A, and chicken pox) and a test for anemia. Charlotte is now 29.5 inches long and 20lb 14.5oz. Claire is 29.25 inches and 24lb 2.5oz. Louise weighed 36lb.

Thanks to Ms Verly and Ms Bernice at Charlotte and Claire's daycare for buying matching outfits for C&C as a birthday gift.

Big Head

5 January: Charlotte & Claire had their 9 month well baby check-ups today. Charlotte weighs a respectable 18 lbs 7.5 oz (50th percentile for her age, not adjusted), and she's 27.5 inches long. Her head circumference is 45cm (75th percentile). Claire is 21 lbs 6.5 oz and 27.75 inches long. Her head is 47cm (125th percentile). If Claire's head continues to grow off the chart, she may need to go to the hospital for a CT scan. If there is excessive fluid build-up on her brain, she might need surgery. However, it seems very likely that she simply has a Lindenberg head, like Greatgrandpa Lindenberg, Nana Chris and Uncle Adam. There is no medical treatment available for Lindenberg head.

Nana and Granddad returned to Britain on Sunday. We all miss them very much - it was wonderful to have them here.

Louise remains very affectionate towards her sisters, and she enjoys bathing them. Claire & Charlotte laugh and smile whilst in the bath with Louise, so the feeling seems to be mutual.

Louise has been visiting the preschool class in anticipation of her "promotion" next month. Mummy imagines that preschool is something like this: http://www.sesamestreet.org/video_player?p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_id=videoPlayer_WAR_sesameportlets4369&p_p_uid=6a014291-f7db-4bb7-9684-4a9dfe2f7a84

Charlotte and Claire 6 month visit update

Charlotte and Claire had their 6 month doctor's visit today. They both have grown very well since their last visit two months ago (four pounds in two months!). Charlotte now weighs 15lb 6oz (35th percentile) and is 25 inches long. Claire is 16lb 15oz (70th percentile) and 25 3/4 inches. Both are now well on the growth chart and are tracking as normal 6 months olds which is great since they were 6 weeks early. Claire has already started to show some interest in solid food and tried some yesterday.

Louise is doing great with her new bed, she has gone four whole nights without sleeping on the floor at all!! Her vocabulary has exploded and it is great fun to listen to her having imaginary phone conversations with the grandparents and others.

4 month visit

Charlotte and Claire were measured, poked, and prodded today. They've both grown well - Charlotte is 11 lbs, 8.5 oz, and 23 inches long; Claire is 13 lbs, 0.5 oz, and 22.5 inches long. The paediatrician was happy with their growth and progress.

Last week, we had a special treat - Angela and Eric visited our house during their move from Florida to New York. Their baby is due in November, but they're clearly ready to be great parents now. Claire & Charlotte enjoyed chatting with them. Louise was a bit intimidated by their cat. For days after their visit, Louise kept saying "Angela Eric New York! New cat?"

Three month weight check

The girls continue to do well - Claire gained 27 oz in 27 days (she's 11 lbs, 0.5 oz), and Charlotte gained 26 oz (9 lbs, 10.5 oz). Claire wanted to show the camera how happy she is to be a Big Baby:

2 month check-up

Charlotte & Claire had their 2 month "well baby" check-up this morning. Claire is a lil' butterball (9 lbs, 5.5 oz, 20.25 inches long), and Charlotte is well-proportioned and at the 3rd percentile for all her measurements (8 lbs, 1.5 oz, 20.75 inches long). The doctor was delighted with their weight gain, though she was initially mildly concerned about Charlotte. She said second and third children are usually bigger than the eldest child, and although Claire (adjusted age) is keeping pace with Louise, Charlotte is much smaller. However, after examining Charlotte, the doctor concluded that she's perfectly healthy. They had three shots and one oral vaccine. Charlotte sounded horribly sad after hers; Claire got mad. They're both sleepy now.

Week 6 weighings

The twins were weighed today at just over 6 weeks old. Charlotte was 6lb 13 oz (increased from 5lb 13oz two weeks ago) and Claire was 7lb 6oz (increased from 6lb 1oz at the last weighing). So they have slowed down a little in their daily weight gain but still doing very well.

One month checkup - good news

The grandparents have safely arrived from the UK and are enjoying spending time with all three girls.

Charlotte and Claire went for their one month checkup today and Charlotte is now 5lb 13oz and Claire is 6lb 1oz (gaining an amazing 21oz in 11 days). Both are doing well with just minor congestion and diaper rash.

Three weeks old today!

Charlotte and Claire both put on at least 5oz in the past 8 days and now weigh 5lb 1oz. The nurse said 5lb was a magical weight - we will see what is so magical in the next few days! Claire has a cold and is congested, but it doesn't stop her eating. Otherwise both are doing very well. We got back next to the Doctor's for their 1 month visit/checkup in 10 days time.

Louise this afternoon goes to a playdate at Renee's house. Renee was at Louise's daycare until the end of last year. Katie will also be going since all three girls went to Bright Horizons at the same time and spent about 18 months together. We will be joined by their teacher, Miss Jennifer who still keeps in touch with her old "class".

Twins - Week 2 update

Charlotte and Claire continue to do well. They had another weighing today, brought forward due to Good Friday. They both put on between 3-4oz in just 2 days. Claire is now 4lb 10oz and Charlotte is 4lb 12oz, so they are now above their birth weights.
Due to them looking very similar we have decided to "colour code" them! Charlotte will be dressed in pink and Claire in all other colours (primarily yellow and white). We did this because about 50% of the clothing we have for them is pink and we didn't want to mix them up!
The twins are sleeping in between feeds which are still every 3 hours.

Louise continues to do very well with them and is being very helpful when we feed them in her presence. She likes to pat them to sleep and asks why they sleep so much.

Charlotte and Claire are home

The twins came home yesterday afternoon, and when we picked Louise up from daycare, she was very happy to see them. She was bouncing with excitement and kept asking if they could play with her! She has tried to be helpful - patting the babies, getting cloths and other items for us, bringing "toys" to the babies. The twins are on a nominal 3 hour schedule for feeding but that didn't completely work last night :-(
This morning we saw the paediatrician. Charlotte and Claire are both doing well and are within 1oz of their birth weights (now at 4lb 9oz and 4lb 6.5oz for Charlotte & Claire respectively). All the test results so far have been good (including hearing, blood sugar). We go back on Thursday to have their weight checked again before the holiday weekend.