Last week the Lemonheads were weighed. Nora's weight has gone up to 7 pounds, and Nick is up to 6 pounds 8 ounces. So almost newborn size, which isn't too bad considering they're 5 weeks old today. In total, they've gained about a pound since birth (I know this seems obsessive, but preemie babies mean you watch every single ounce. Our babies weren't even severely premature, I can't imagine how it feels to have this go on for months and months and months.)
At least Nick's eating. Angus discovered that Nick could benefit from a larger nipple so that the bottle flow comes out faster and easier (note to self: watch Nick when he gets to pub drinking age). This means he doesn't exhaust himself trying to drink, so now both babies are drinking the same amount during the day. As a consequence, we don't spend our time worrying if we can get him to eat or not. The kid eats.
He just doesn't grow.
He is so, so tiny.
In the beginning, people flocked to Nora, she of the perfect baby face and rosebud lips. People liked to feed the amiable Nora, to hold her more solid form, to inhale the top of her heard. Nick, whose head is indeed regaining a less "I was stuffed in my mother's pelvis and all I got is this lousy T-shirt" shape, was less popular. That is, until Nora went through a rough patch where all she did was scream.
Then it was her and I.
Melissa, Jeff, and even Angus to some extent enjoy being around Nick more as he's the easier-going of the two, he's the one that just likes to look around, he's the one less likely to get stroppy. Nora has a temperament a lot like I am told I had when I was a baby - she wakes up and you have approximately 10 seconds to get to her before the screaming starts. And when I say screaming, I mean exactly that. Windows could shatter from the force of this kids' lungpower. Eardrums bleed. Dogs commit harikari. When she wakes up she has needs, and these needs must be attended to RIGHT FUCKING NOW. We've learned that if you miss this window and she reaches that stage (said stage also available after feedings, so very equal opportunity here) then she becomes Inconsolable and there is nothing you can do (and we tried, honestly). Absolutely nothing. She has to scream it out and put herself to sleep, which is fun for the whole household.
But I adore her.
Absolutely adore her.
Just as much as I adore him.
And she's breaking her screaming habit, so hopefully it'll all get better soon. I really love my little girl but Great Scott she's got one of the most vociferous and annoying cries I have ever heard on a baby - when she really gets going she reaches what I call the Dolphin Stage, as she turns purple, goes rock hard, and sounds like she's communicating with Flipper. Nick, on the other hand, has a cry that sounds like a bellows that is very low on air. His cries aren't remotely angry, loud, or annoying. That's worth its weight in gold, he can pick which university he wants to go to when he's older, his low-key crying should be rewarded.
They currently both have colds, so our house has a lot of cranky baby going on. They're congested and so get the business end of some saline and that helpful nose sucker bulb, known as The Great Red Plastic Bulb of Hell, or by its other name Dear God Mom Why Do You Hate Me So Much? (called such names because get that thing out and cue screaming the likes of which you have never heard before, no matter how many teen horror flicks you have seen). I'm changing cot sheets and onesies a few times a day, as it's Puke Central here. I know they're not really ill, it's just a cold, but it still makes me feel terrible watching them not feel well.
The health visitor was pleased with their progress. Both babies are below average for weight but are on the bell curve just fine and are gaining weight, so we're working on it. Developmentally, we're going to be behind for some time. As the babies were 4 weeks premature, they're only just at the stage that newborns are at, which feels weird as they were sprung from the sunroof 5 weeks ago. They're awake a lot more than they were, although they're not really someone you can get contact with. The babies like to mimic our faces and are less stressy about being touched (and in fact both babies like to cuddle), and Nick is very keen on lights and lighting fixtures (much to Angus' absolute delight). I'm not worried about them-the health visitor said the babies will start to catch up with other babies around 6-12 months of age, so we'll take it one day at a time. In the meantime, I'll be honest - I'm enjoying their prolonged infancy, although I am looking forward to the days when they'll smile at us and laugh.
Size-wise, they're teeny. They still don't fit newborn clothes, although my very favorite outfit of theirs is a size preemie baby and was given to them by Angus' Mum. They absolutely swam in the outfits two days after being born:
The label of the onesie is Cherokee, sold in the U.S. by my beloved Target and sold in the U.K. by Tesco. There's a gigantic Tesco near us, I can check and see if they have these outfits in newborn size, only it feels like I am chasing something I shouldn't be chasing. I can't keep my babies in the puppy and bunny outfits until they get to college, no matter how much I want to. My Lemonheads, they're growing, and it makes me both incredibly happy and inconsolably sad.
-H.
PS-Jeff's gone home (more on his visit shortly) and I've been dealing with the babies' colds. I owe a few emails and they're coming, I've just been snowed under, sorry!
PPS-am debating a haircut. Thoughts?
1
<>
Blame yourself
two words "Whale Song".
glad they are ok!
Me
Posted by: LarryConley at November 07, 2007 11:42 AM (XeT1I)
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Nora sounds alot like my daughter, very high maintainence. Now that I think about it probably alot like me. hmmmmm.
Colds are awful, actually any illness is awful. All you want is to make them feel better and you can't.
Oh and just to gross you out, I once sucked snot out of my daughter nose because she was having trouble breathing and the little rubber bulb wouldn't fix it. The things you do when you panic.
They are both gorgeous.
Posted by: Veronica at November 07, 2007 12:07 PM (q/WBZ)
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I think that Nora lived here for a time.
My youngest used to do what we came to call the Nightly Fuss. At about 6 months old she would start to cry around 8:30pm. Nothing would console her. The cry would work it's way up to a full blown screaming fit. Her face would turn a slightly magenta hue and she would flail around as she broke out in a sweat from the effort of the fuss.
After 10-15 minutes she would suddenly stop, stick her thumb in her mouth, and go to sleep.
This went on for about 3 months.
Needless to say the first couple of nights we were frantic. Since we had an older child we thought we knew what we were doing. When none of the usual tricks worked we got scared, but she always seemed to go to sleep just before we were going to call 911. After a few days we realized this was just her way of doing things.
PS: The haircut? Do whatever you want. I mean, just look at those babies! You've earned it babe.
Posted by: ~Easy at November 07, 2007 12:22 PM (WdRDV)
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Not to give assvice, but when the screaming starts, have you tried some hybrid of that Happiest Baby on the Block stuff? The swaddle, swinging in your arms and shhhhh-ing loudly in her ear? Most moms who have used it swear by it. We never had luck with swaddling because she wouldn't tolerate not having access to her hands, but the shhhhh-ing (much louder than you think is nice) in Bridget's ear seemed to work a lot of the times. Still does, actually, if she is inconsolable. Just a thought. I hope that she does break herself of the screaming soon. We now have toddler screaming (I have a toddler?!) and it's ear shattering.
Posted by: donna at November 07, 2007 01:01 PM (Kco5r)
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My son used to work himself into a frenzy, at which point no one could calm him down. He would scream and cry for hours, exhausting both himself and us. One day, at wit's end, I started singing to him while I held and attempted to comfort him. He screamed for about 15 seconds, took a deep breath to scream some more, and then he kind of looked at me with curiosity. He cried for another 30 seconds or so and then stared at me with his eyes full of wonder at the sounds emanating from my mouth. I sang John Denver songs to him- hey, sue me for my musical tastes- for about 10 minutes. During the entire time he looked at me quietly while his eyes gradually closed. Once he fell asleep, I placed him into the crib and then high-fived my wife. After that, I was given son quieting duties which, I must admit, I still love to this day.
For the record, I tried the same thing on my daughter when she was a few months old. I sang for about 10 seconds before she reached up her tiny hand and placed it onto my mouth to make me stop.
Posted by: physics geek at November 07, 2007 01:11 PM (MT22W)
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They are getting so big.. they are adorable!! Haircut.. I just got one and I love it! I say GO FOR IT!!!
Posted by: Tracey at November 07, 2007 01:33 PM (jgdKP)
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We've tried singing (then again, we both have horrible singing voices). The "shh, shh" works, but only up to a point - it delays the screaming, rather than cures it. She gets herself well worked up, so no rocking, holding, patting of the back, nothing. Nothing works.
I'm truly hoping she outgrows this.
Posted by: Helen at November 07, 2007 01:34 PM (b7MSm)
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Haircut? Yes! I vote for anything that makes you feel good about yourself or pampered in even the tiniest way! Plus, your hair gets so gorgeously bouncy when shorter!
Posted by: BeachGirl at November 07, 2007 01:46 PM (RgeoX)
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Holy crap those are some cute babies!!
Posted by: Laura at November 07, 2007 01:57 PM (FFBkP)
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They are doing JUST FINE. I could do a whole tirade about "catching up" (as could every micropreemie parent) but I'd wager that the guess of 6 - 12 months is VERY conservative, and you'll start seeing them hit milestones "on time" (I'm pushing the rant back down, it really wants to come out...) pretty quickly.
I hear ya on the screaming, too. There was one evening when I paced and sang with Shoshanna for something like four hours before she cried herself out (with a relatively limited pacing range due to the O2 tube). Here's a dumb question: have you tried running the vacuum cleaner? I have heard zillions of people swear that the white noise and repetitive motion of holding the baby while vacuuming helps. (We never tried it because we were over the colicky screaming before we were off of O2 and vacuuming up medical equipment didn't seem like fun to us.)
Posted by: Sarah at November 07, 2007 02:04 PM (I5n47)
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At my sister's house it was called "the blue bulb of torture." I hated with a passion the few times I had to use it.
Glad to hear everything is moving along. They are both such cuties!
Posted by: sophie at November 07, 2007 02:21 PM (0mGiH)
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Hey - A couple of thoughts
- My Lilly has been sick twice now in her nearly four months of life. I've found the nose bulb is not necessary if I take her in the bathroom with me and lay her in a bouncy chair while I'm showering and turn the shower on very hot. The steam gets her all lubed up and sometimes they come out far enough that I can wipe them away. (I know gross - but this is what it has come to - aaahhh motherhood)
- Haircut? Most definitely, you need wash and wear, no blowdryers! You have no time! I got mine cut immediately after she was born because I read that if you cut your hair while pregnant you run the risk of looking like a giant bowling ball with a pin head. Plus - go for ten inches and donate it! You're pregnancy hair is healthy as all get out and could be quite the treat for some woman needing a new wig.
Posted by: suz at November 07, 2007 03:46 PM (GhfSh)
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I love your hair, but wash n wear is a good thing. Also something you can keep away from tiny hands in the coming months is a good idea.
Poor babies (and poor you and A!). Hope the cold passes quickly!
Posted by: caltechgirl at November 07, 2007 04:18 PM (/vgMZ)
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!!11!!!!BABIES!!11!!!!!
Beautiful!
Haircut: No. (hey you asked! heh)
Posted by: The other Amber at November 07, 2007 04:26 PM (zQE5D)
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Love those outfits-will keep an eye out for them at Target.
Hope you are all feeling better soon-cold season sucks, and I think the only drawback of having fall babies. Too cold to bring them out to get fresh air just when germs seem to be multiplying everywhere.
My Veronica was and still is very, very high maintenance. On the upside, she is also very gifted academically, and very articulate and expressive.
The haircut? Go for it I say-hair grows back, so nothing is permenant.
Posted by: Teresa at November 07, 2007 04:27 PM (XXpsl)
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Is it wrong that I totally just thought you should get Nick into the bunny outfit at Christmas, so you can have your very own
A Christmas Story moment?
And as for the haircut, when you posted that montage for Angus not to long ago, there was a pic of you with short hair and I thought, "Damn! I forgot how totally cute she looked with her short hair!" So I'm all for a hair cut.
Posted by: amy t. at November 07, 2007 04:44 PM (3dOTd)
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As you very well know, my Babylove was exactly the same - four weeks early and removed from the window just as he was figuring out where the door was.
Please ease your mind about the developmental thing: they (and he, especially, as Nick is smaller right now) will AMAZE you with their growing ability. They will catch up in EVERY way more quickly than you think. Honest and truly.
Haircut? I did at about this time becuase I was tired of haiving it drag about in the baby face and I tied it up and it would fall out and I was just too frustrated with everything else, so I went and had my hair bobbed. And it grows out, too. Heh.
Nora will learn your rhythms. Right now? She only feels the gas (or hunger or whatever) and she's VERY in tune with what's going on inside her little body. Your "schedule" be damned.
Everything is going so well, I PROMISE you that you will look at pictures of these tiny little people in a years' time and BE GOBSMACKED at how tiny they were. Really you will.
Love you longtime,
Posted by: Margi at November 07, 2007 04:55 PM (wSEpS)
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From my experience with the 20 and 17 year olds: white noise is your friend. Blowdryers, vacuums and television stations tuned to the wrong channel make enough noise to help. They now even have "noise" machines on the market with the sounds of bubbly brooks and such.
Buy one. White noise helps with the colic like you cannot believe.
Posted by: Margi at November 07, 2007 05:00 PM (wSEpS)
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I just cut my hair and I feel great!
Posted by: Jen(aside) at November 07, 2007 05:15 PM (9qHb8)
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I say go ahead and cut. As the twins figure out the reach and grab, you'll be glad there isn't as much there for them to pull.
My niece, bless her heart, will pull, hard and at will. My brother's beard, my hair or the hoodie string hanging within her reach.
Plus, you looked hot with your shorter hair!
Posted by: Angela at November 07, 2007 06:04 PM (DGWM7)
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You still have a little time before they start grabbing your hair with any purpose, but I did it, and now I want it long again. Although, it looks better curly now.
I love the fuck off look on Nora's face. Haha.
Posted by: statia at November 07, 2007 06:30 PM (lHsKN)
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They are so very cute! Do whatever makes you happy with the hair. Even 2 inches off can feel great.
Posted by: Suze at November 07, 2007 07:49 PM (0doyF)
Posted by: sue at November 07, 2007 10:52 PM (WbfZD)
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The pics are terrific; they look cuter than ever! My grandbaby (boy-girl) twins caught up very quickly and then surpassed everyone else, so you might be surprised how easily they catch up to their peers.
Posted by: kenju at November 07, 2007 11:56 PM (TiGru)
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OMG...they grew into their little wrinkles, they look fabulous!
Sure, why not, get a haircut if that is what you are up for, you deserve a lot of pampering and if a haircut is what you want, have it! Something sassy!! :-)
Posted by: Steff at November 08, 2007 01:29 AM (3A5Oz)
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They are absolutely gorgeous. Definitely fitting into those onesies a lot more now. It is such an indescribable feeling being able to watch babies' personalities develop. It seems that you may have a laid back boy, and a opinionated girl on your hands so far
I hope they feel better, it is really hard watching children while they are not feeling well, you want to do all you can to take away their discomfort.
Posted by: Liv at November 08, 2007 02:27 AM (G6ihV)
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OK- totally off topic, but I am watching the San Jose Sharks play the Dallas Stars on TV and I always think of you when we play the Stars. Mike Modano just scored 2 goals to become the highest scoring American born hockey player. Thought you might be interested, even though you are a bit removed from hockey and you sold your gear.
Also? The white noise? Very effective. And the commenter that said to do it louder than you would think is pleasant is correct as well. The babies have been inside of you, where it is VERY noisy. Your heart was sloshing and swishing constantly, then you intestines were making their own noise. Add in breathing (LOUD from the inside), talking, drinking, swallowing, etc., and those two were surrounded with noise. Any time there is a baby in the ultrasound room, they always quiet down when I turn on the Doppler.
Your little ones are extremely adorable, and I am very happy for you.
Posted by: jen-again at November 08, 2007 04:41 AM (fpBSq)
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Isn't it amazing how quickly they grow and change? Remarkable. I also agree with the white noise louder than you think would be pleasant - might be a godsend when you need to drown out hammers and drills and such. The haircut sounds like a good idea too and donating it would be just the thing if you can do it. A new you for the new moment; hair grows and moments pass.
You're gorgeous with long and short hair both so something easy care and sassy is just the ticket.
Hang in there! Try to remember (not trying to imply you don't know this) that even though it may seem to drag on forever, each of these phases passes so quickly that in retrospect that you'll be glad to have a written reference to help you recall what happened when. Time truly does fly, all the more so once you have kids to watch go through phases of development.
Posted by: Lisa at November 08, 2007 06:30 AM (EcHBm)
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Haircuts. Hair grows. ;-) I did the contemplated a haircut thing when one of my babies was about the same age as yours are now. We still have a picture of it. Cracks us up. I went SHORT. Its the picture on my driver's license. When people ask about it now I say, 'Hormone Haircut'. Most women nod and understand. Heh!
Do it. It grows. Have fun.
Posted by: Bou at November 10, 2007 04:36 AM (fGpp7)
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I was tickled to find out that The Great Target has a line of baby clothes called Nick and Nora. My sis has a few of them herself.
Posted by: Robert at November 11, 2007 08:02 AM (EI6+F)
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