This next one is a video - click on the play arrow on the left bottom corner.It has been a very exciting and busy month. Dionne and Alicia organized a little egg hunt at a tennis match. That was fun - though the kids didn't understand the egg thing. They did love playing on the tennis courts. Will's sister's family came to visit. Uncle Joe and Daniel became fast friends, and all three loved playing with cousin Isy. We went to the aquarium and the jumpy place. Both families had a great time eating at Johnny Rockets. Then, Meme came to visit. We went back to the bounce house, shopped, went to the park, and ate at Sweet Tomatoes. I have never seen the children eat so much! It was a blast. They also got hair cuts - a first for Daniel and Emily and the second for Nathan. Thank goodness for lollipops to help keep them still and happy. They loved their visit with Meme and her bracelets! She bought them a few to play with when she left! Finally, the children participated in their first March of Dimes Walk. I plan to have them participate every year in this event. I think March of Dimes is a big reason our children were born healthy and stayed healthy at the NICU. Thanks to Karen, Veroniuq, and Kim, Alex, and Owen for joining us. We hope to have an even larger group next year!
We had our 17 month doctor's appointment. Emily weighs the same as she did six months ago. We were sent to a nutritionist to find ways to help her gain weight. The nutritionist said we were doing everything right and that she was getting enough calories. That just proves she is a very active little girl! Daniel is still congested (since the NICU we think). We were referred to a pulmonologist and will go in mid-May. We are unsure if it is asthma or allergies causing his congestion, but the blood test does show he has some type of allergies. Due to his bleeding a little out of his ear, they are going to remove his right tube sometime at the end of May or the beginning of June. It is something that both our pediatrician and the ear doctor have never seen before in their 20+ years in practice. Daniel is unique! Nathan did fine at the doctors. All of them dropped a little in their weight percentages, so we are trying a little more fatty foods. Stats: Daniel - ht. 30"(5 %ile), wt 21 lbs. 7 1/4 oz (5 %ile), head 47.8cm (50 %ile) Nathan - ht. 30 1/8"(10-25 %ile), wt 22 lbs. 10 oz (10-25 %ile), head 48.3cm (50-75 %ile) Emily ht. 29 1/2"(10 %ile), wt 18 lbs. 13 1/2 oz (<3>
They are such fun, active little individuals. They love to go outside, and Daniel especially hates to be cooped up in one room. He likes having freedom and running from room to room. The new background matches their personalities. They are little monkeys that try to climb on everything! They love bubbles, and all of them say "bubble" when we turn on the bubble maker. They do a little bubble chasing. They are all doing a better job of telling us what they want. "All done" and "more" are very clear, as are "up" and "down". They have a blast at the jumpy place and slide down a big slide on their own (you can see in the video I attached).
Nathan loves to close doors and gates. He also loves to say all of his animal sounds. He can probably do 8-10 animal sounds. His favorite toy is still the one that his brother or sister is playing with. When it is time to go to bed, it is so sweet, he reads his book aloud in the crib. I love listening to him on the monitor. Nathan and Emily love the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and do hand motions. They all love "If you're happy and you know it" and do a good 5-6 hand motions with it. They are learning a few other songs right now, too.
Emily likes to dance and give toys hugs and kisses. She loves to walk her play dog on a string that Kim lent us and I saw her once lying down on the floor with Dicey talking to her. Her favorite toys are the two ducks, Huey and Dewey. She also enjoys sitting on our lap with a book. But if someone tries to take her book, watch out!!!
Daniel loves to come over and give adults hugs and kisses and is very curious. He constantly says "Dat" meaning what is that. His throwing arm is incredible - if we could only keep it to throwing balls. He is a definite leftie but can throw with both. He loves electronics and remote controls. he also knows that it controls the videos. He and Nathan will bring me the remote control when they want to watch a video and get upset if I don't turn one on. Daniel had a funny evening when Meme was here. Will took off his diaper like he always does so he can run to the tub. On this day, the tub wasn't quite ready, so he decided to continue running while peeing - a little stream followed him down the hall of the kitchen. It was hysterical.
Daniel and Emily often shake their head when asked a question. If I ask Daniel if he is stinky, he shakes his head and runs to the other side of the room with a grin. He can also nod, though it almost looks like a parrot. They all surprise me with how much they understand. I told Daniel tonight to ride the cow and he went to the rocking cow and climbed on (and looked at me for approval). They can all put the ball in the basketball hoop when asked, and then they like to put everything else they can find in there too.. They all love water in their own way. Daniel and Emily like the hose, and Nathan loved the spigot. They can all tickle each other, tackle each other, pat each other on the head, help each other down the slide whether they want the help or not, and laugh a gazillion times a day. They are so much fun and I love being with them!!!
I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring! (Hopefully, more visitors).
