High Risk vs Feeding Team

Apparently there isn't much vs here. They mostly work together. Today they said that they want to team up with the High Risk clinic to see what High Risk has to say. They want Aiden to be on a higher calorie formula, but they are not sure if his bowels can handle it yet or not. It has been almost a year since his colostomy take down surgery, but his sodium output is still super high. They think Nate is on track right now, but they are going to watch him closely. Nathaniel weighed 20 lbs 2 oz (HE FINALLY BROKE THE 20 LBS MARK!), and Aiden weighed 17 lbs 14 oz. They told me to stop giving them the BeneProtein because it could possibly do more harm than good, especially for their little kidneys, and it can cause undo stress to their bodies. SO she said That I am doing very good as far as giving them an avocado a day, since that has good calories in it. They are going to put them on the special wait list at Mason, so that they get into Speech therapy faster. Which can help with some of the problems that they have been having with tolerating longer stints of time actually eating solid foods.
They had a video swallow study done 2 weeks ago, and it came up normal. The Feeding Team has mentioned that we might need to do further tests on their reflux though.
Both boys got their foot braces 2 weeks ago, but we found out that they both are able to take their heels out of them. So they have been returned, and we are waiting for the new taller braces to arrive.
(I will post pictures as soon as I find my camera)

15 Month High Rish Appointment (Failure to Thrive)

So the twins had their 15 month High Risk appointment today. It went just how I thought it would. They are switching them from Neosure 28 calorie to Pedisure 30 calorie, and they still want us to use half a scoop of bene-protein in each 8 ounce bottle. The boys are not gaining weight. In fact, Aiden has lost weight. October 14th when we were there last, Nate was 19.09 lbs and he was 27.5 inches long, today he was 19.73 and he was 28 inches long. Aiden in October was 18.03 and he was 26.9 inches long, today he was 18.01 lbs and 27.75 inches. So he actually lost weight (not much, but he still lost some). Within the next 2-4 months if they don't start to gain weight, especially Aiden they plan on treating them as failure to thrive. Kids who fail to thrive don't receive or are unable to take in, retain, or utilize the calories needed to gain weight and grow as expected. Their plan of action is to see how things go within the next few months, if not something major needs to happen. Possible feeding tubes (Lord please don't let it be feeding tubes), intensive speech and occupational therapy to help develop good eating behaviors, we will also might have to see a neurologist or gastroenterologist. Neither of the boys are on the charts right now. Even when you adjust them back to being 12 months, Nathaniel is just barely on the charts being under the 3rd percentile. Aiden is not even on the charts unless you adjust him to being 9 months old. And then when you adjust him back to 9 months he is only at 9th percentile for weight and 4th for height.
So that is where they stand right now. We are praying that the pedisure helps. We are thinking that their is some underlying reason on why they are not retaining the weight. We are just praying.

Sickie boys

So the boys have bronchiolitis, it is on the verge of pneumonia, and Aiden has an ear infection in his right ear. Unfortunately there is nothing they can give the boys for bronchiolitis, so we just have to keep them hydrated and use saline drops. To make the day better, this morning Aiden decided it would be a good idea to bust his lip enough to where it is hard for him to close his mouth to drink So half of the milk drips out of his little mouth, I swear if it is not one thing it is another with these little guys!

Christmas with Opa

The boys Grandpa came down for Christmas dinner and to spend some time together last Saturday. We all had such a great time. We have come to the conclusion that the boys should call him Opa. In German it means Grandpa. It is just very fitting. As most Opa's do, he came bearing gifts, but they were very practical. Clothes. The boys needed clothes, and so did we. The more time we get to spend with him, the more his love grows for these boys, all three of them. It is so wonderful. Doug is a beautiful man, inside and out.

Naughty or Nice?

I would say that these two little boys have been angels this year. (Ask me tomorrow when they are climbing on the couch and banging each other on the head with the remotes!) How precious is this picture? I will have to dig out last years pictures from when they were in the RCNIC and they had their picture taken with Santa, I have them around here somewhere. This Santa was great, but not as great as our awesome God who has given us these two little men. Lord thank you for these to gifts that you have given us!

Ity Bity Toes

While cleaning I came across the only foot prints we got of the boys. It was a month after they were born. Their foot prints were only an inch across and barely over 2 inchs long. I was filled with joy and sadness. These boys have been through so much being born so early, yet we have missed so much of their lives because of it. Thank you God for giving us the extra time with our boys here on this earth getting to hold them and love them outside the womb safe inside the palms of your hands Father.

1 Year ago

I am a couple of days behind, but it has been pretty crazy around here.

December 1, 2007 was a glorious day. One of the days we had been waiting for for a long time. Nathaniel Jacob came home to be with his family that day. Even though his twin Aiden was still in the RCNIC, he was not far behind in the coming home celebration. The day Nathaniel came home he weighed 4 lbs and 2 oz, which was exactly 2 lbs more than the day he was born. Nathaniel has mastered walking, and is now climbing our couch like a pro. He can understand many signs and can even sign a few himself. I see Our Lord and Savior in Nathaniel everyday. I just know he will do God's work throughout the rest of his life.
Nathaniel you are our "Strong Tiger", and everyone loves you very much. Love mommy and daddy.