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.