Monday, October 5, 2009

100 Days and Due Date

Today was a big day for Charlie and Lily – it marks their 100th day of life, and also the date on which they were “supposed” to be born. Our goal was to be out of the NICU before both of these milestones were reached and we did – by just one day, but we did it! Since the babies have reached their due date, I thought I’d take a moment to explain the babies’ biological age vs. their adjusted age, since several people have asked me about this recently. Although Charlie and Lily are biologically 3 months old since they were born the end of June, developmentally they will be judged by their adjusted age, or the age they would be if they were born full term. So although they are 14 weeks old right now, they are expected to only be doing the things a newborn would be doing. When they are six months old they are expected to be functioning at the level of a three month old, and so on. So with things like rolling over, sitting up, walking, etc. Charlie and Lily will most likely accomplish them three months later than their biological age would indicate. Most often, by the time they reach the age of two, premature babies catch up to their biological age and function like full term children. In order to make sure that theh babies are on track for their adjusted age and to see if there are any developmental issues we should watch out for, Joe and I contacted the state's early intervention program and someone will be coming by to evaluate Charlie and Lily some time soon. So happy 100 days Charlie and Lily - or, happy birth day - however you want to look at it!

Lily celebrated her 100th day with a trip to the pediatrician. While there, Lily peed on the office scale and pooped her diaper on the examining table. Such class! Aside from these faux pas, Lily had a good visit. She rolled around on the table all wide eyed and was perfectly calm as the doctor poked and prodded her. She will go back for another appointment with Charlie next month, then again shortly after that when the babies get their first Synagis shot, which may help them from contacting RSV.

Charlie stayed home with Daddy while his sister was out on the town (or out on the exam table) with Mommy. In the evening both babies got tub baths and cuddles with Crackers (Grandma Pam).

Last night was our first night with two babies in the house, and we didn't do too badly. We tried to each handle a late night feeding with both babies solo, and while we did okay it wasn't exactly efficient. There was always something small for the other person to handle (Lily woke up before Joe could finish feeding Charlie at 2 a.m., and then Charlie woke up and needed to be changed while Brooke was feeding Lily at 6 a.m.) Tonight we're going to try each being responsible for one baby throughout the night - we'll get up more often but will be awake for a shorter amount of time, so hopefully that will help. It's hard to to go back to sleep once you've been awake for 2 hours!

Now Lily is crying to be fed and Joe is in the midst of feeding Charlie, so I'll be signing off. Now that both babies are home and Joe will be returning to work on Wednesday our free time is going to be extremely limited. We will still be updating the blog (we could never stop!) but it will most likely be a few times a week rather than every day. Please stay with us - Charlie and Lily love your support :)


Charlie doing his exercises.


The Bug after her bath.


Charlie looks so happy to have his tush cleaned.


Soundly sleeping together. It was most likely during this nap where the mysterious tiny cut on Charlie's nose originated. We're assuming Lily's fingernails got him during one of her many arm flailings.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

So good to hear the babies are home....together, finally!!! Congratulations to your beautiful family. I understand that you will be very busy and unable to update the blog daily....although I will miss my daily updates of Charlie and Lily!!! It's funny that I will never meet you guys or those adorable babies but find myself celebrating in every accomplishment they have. So good to see the pics of them together...melts a person's heart :)

Stephanie from Wisconsin

Lauren said...

Happy due date! They're no longer in negative #s! ;)

Meg said...

Happy 100 Days!!! :)

I'm so truly happy for you all. Good luck with the late night feedings - they'll be sleeping longer & longer before you know it. :)

Anonymous said...

Too funny... fighting already :) That's just a small taste of your future :)

I will miss my daily dose of Charlie and Lily, but I would have been very surprised to see daily updates. I have one baby and I don't have time to do muc of anything, so I imagine that you are very busy (but a good kind of busy)

Happy 100th day Charlie and Lily!!

Anonymous said...

the picture of the babies together is so beautiful it takes my breath away. i am so happy that they are home and together =)-nik

Gretchen said...

YAY!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pics of the babies together! They're so gorgeous and although they have separate looks its very slight like Lily just has more feminine features and Charlie has male features so you can def tell who's who but they are most DEF. individuala, that's hard to accomplish by the "first official" day of life.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Thoughts and prayers are with you as you embark on this new journey with your gorgeous babies!

All my love,
Gretchen

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy and excited for you guys! It's so great to see both babies home where they belong! I don't know you and I know I will never have the pleasure of meeting you all, but I feel connected to you and your babies anyway, and I always look forward to checking your blog everyday for updates on them (although I understand about not being able to update everyday anymore)!! I am celebrating with you with each accomplishment and milestone! Thanks so much for sharing your lives with us! Your babies are very special!!!

Amber from North Carolina

Kim said...

Happy 100 Days Charlie and Lily!

Anonymous said...

Happy 100 days Charlie & Lily! These pictures are just adorable! You don't have to ask us twice to stay with you guys... Like myself, I would miss seeing & hearing all about the life of Charlie & Lily! I look forward to watching them reach every milestone! They are beautiful & are so lucky to have you as parents!!!

Sabrina said...

I have been following your blog for awhile now. Congratulations on having them both home! Our girls were only in the NICU 2 and 3 weeks (6 weeks early) so I only understand a fraction of what you went through.

I just wanted to add that for my husband and myself, when the girls were smaller, we each took a baby at night. That meant each of us got up at night, but for about 20 minutes each, rather than one person being up for an hour or more. Granted, as the babies got older and started sleeping more, this also meant that one person may not have gotten up at all. This worked best for us so that we could each get an adequate amount of sleep. Before changing to this method, we were so sleep deprived!

Best of luck to you. Twins are such a joy and pleasure. My preemies turned 7 months today. One of the girls started saying "da-da" on Friday and it is amazing!

Sabrina

Katherine said...

Happy Due Date Day!

Perfectly understandable that you won't be able to update us every day. Sure, I'll miss the daily updates, but you've got two tiny, adorable people demanding your undivided attention :)

Hopefully we'll get to see a lot more cute photos in the weeks to come.

Sue said...

Gasp! No nightly updates!! Only kidding of course. I have twin boys and my husband and I used to take them in shifts. It was hard and one baby would inevitably fuss for a bit, but I almost think they got used to the routine. You will find a stride that works for you guys. Good luck!

Sarah - The Home Cook said...

Happy 100 days/due date, Charlie and Lily! It's so great that they're both home and doing well.

Anonymous said...

They are TOO CUTE! Please do keep updating whenever you have time, although I know life will be even more crazy now. Don't make us go TOO long without pictures! :) Happy 100 days, Charlie and Lily!

Colleen said...

Happy 100 days, babies! LOVE the pics today! So glad they are both home with mom and dad by their due date.

Krissie said...

Happy due date! You will be amazed how rapidly they develop from here on out. The due date really is magic. We saw changes in our 9-week-early son immediately that week--their personalities really come out. Have fun!

kalibug said...

So happy they are both home!!! Congrats!! Love the updates. Sorry, I need to comment more.

Anonymous said...

they are beautiful, and I am so happy they are home and you are sharing them with us.

JoLynn said...

Yeah - happy big ZERO!

We struggled with what to do in the middle of the night feedings, as well. Sometimes we would both get up and sometimes we would fly solo. Having little chairs like a Pappazan chair helped. Not only did it allow the 30 min rest period for reflux issues but in a pinch, we could sit them both in a chair at the same time and feed bottles if they woke at the same time. Eventually we got them on a schedule that they would wake 30 min apart and one person could take that feeding and be up for an hour.

We also visisted Early Intervention with Adam. It was comforting to get feedback. He was 12 weeks early with concerns over bleeding on his brain. But currently he is 27 weeks (15 corrected) and has decided it's time to roll over. And as long as we support his mid section, he has been standing with all his weight for 2 months now! Just shows you how amazing preemies can be, especially with as much love and attention as you and Joe will shower the kids with.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely adore your blog! I am so glad your gorgeous babies are home and I wish you all the best! Can't wait to read updates, am a little sad it won't be daily!! Sophie X

Sandi B's mom- Eve S. said...

I am so so happy everyone's prayers have been answered for your children to be home with Mommy and Daddy. We all know you will have all 4 hands very busy getting some routines set up.
When you get the few seconds to post on the blog again we will all be waiting and maybe even if you can't give us a complete rundown -- please keep sending the pictures !! We love them too !!
Best to you from so many loving people.
Eve S.

Anonymous said...

I didn't forget you - Auntie took a little road trip today with no access to the internet... Just Grandpop's calls...

Oh No - no daily updates. Pumpkins we're gonna just have to set up a webcam with us...

Great tub picture. I love the smile on Charlie's face...

All My Love, Auntie :) xoxoxo

njdcgirl said...

What happy news! I'm so glad both LOs are home with you. Happy 100 days Charlie and Lily!

Macchiatto said...

SUCH precious pics!! And happy birth day to Charlie and Lily. :)

Mom To A Four Year Old said...

Awww! I am so glad that they are both finally home for this big milestone. They are so adorable! I wish you and your family the best!

Rebecca, from CT said...

Happy 100th day!! So glad you met your goal of having them home by their "due date". I;m thinking the longer both babies are home, the easier taking care of 2 will get. So nice to see the babies together!!! I too will miss the daily updates, but will stay tuned to see how your babies grow and develop. I'm hooked!!

#1SAHM said...

happy 100th day and due date! : ) Glad the babies are doing well. Go Lily and Charlie! No worries about not updating every day, I'm sure we all understand. Two newborn babies are a lot to handle! Good luck!

Sue said...

I too will miss the daily updates -- I've become addicted!! -- but certainly understand. It's amazing that you have kept it up as long as you all have.
Congrats on reaching these milestones! Here's to many more!