The girls turned 16 months this past Friday... I was trying to figure out something clever with what they've done in these 16 months... But as we sat at the Doctor's office on Thursday, the only thing that came to mind is how many times we've been to a Doctor's appointment in the past 13 months since they have been home from the NICU. So when we got home from their latest Doctor appointment which was an x-ray and ultrasound of their hips (something that they need to do because both Aven and Stevie were breach - Bria got to miss out on the appt), I decided to count the appointments that we've had. Here's what I found... Since they came home in February 2012, we have had 47 Doctor's appointments (some of which were just for 1 girl, and some of which were for all the girls), 1 surgery for Aven (hernia) and 62 EI (early intervention) sessions for Stevie. What's crazy is that all this is for "healthy" preemies! Can't imagine what it would be like otherwise...
Here's an update on some of these Doctor's appointments... Recently the girls had their 15 month check up and their Pediatrician was pleased with their progress. Of course she thinks they are amazing, just like the rest of us. Both Aven and Bria have made the growth charts - they both are in the 5th percentile for weight and height - based on their adjusted age. So they are in the 5th of other 12 month olds. Stevie still hasn't made the chart yet, but she's getting closer... We had some blood work done during this visit as a follow up to the endocrinologist (bone Doctor) that we met with a few months back. For both Aven and Bria they have high potassium, which forced us to go back and draw more blood (please picture holding a child down while they stick a needle in a tiny tiny arm - poor babies). The second time had the same results, so then we talked to the bone Doctor and he said it could be a sign of a thyroid problem. BUT the levels weren't high enough that he's concerns at this point. So we will draw more blood at their 18 month appointment to see where their levels are and then go from there. Stevie's levels seemed to be okay. Stevie, however is now being monitored for high blood pressure again with the nephrologist. Hopefully her next appointment in a few months we will be done with that. So overall, they are doing a-ok and we'll just continue on the regular Doctor appointments. Hey - at least we know they are being monitored closely :-)
Here's what these 16 month olds are up to...
Aven: She walking all around now and almost runs (usually when her brother is chasing her). She will still crawl a bit and can be unsteady, but she is walking more than crawling. She got her first pair of "real" shoes yesterday from Grandma Mary, so she's having fun learning how to walk in those. She talks a lot, but nothing you can really understand. She's still the diva of the bunch and the biggest mommas girls. Sometimes I need to avoid eye contact with her, otherwise she'll make a beeline for me and tug on my legs until I pick her up and have some snuggles. She's the dancer and clearly didn't get her awesome moves from her mom or dad - must be from big brother. She's also the climber, whether it be the highchair, couch or bath, she will find a way out. I'm thinking we may need to think about lowering her crib again. Luckily for us, her height is not on her side. Aven seems to be most like how big brother was when he was one... Should be interesting to see if she's like him at the age of 4 - YIKES!
Bria: She is walking as well... Although it's probably 50/50 between walking and crawling, she's acclimated to walking faster than her sister Aven. She also got her first pair of shoes yesterday. Bria is a daddy's girl and is generally a happy little girl, except when she throws her self onto the ground in her temper tantrums. She is still the biggest, although only by a few ounces. I think in general she looks bigger, but I think that's because she has a bigger head (like her big brother). She's also a bulldozer, meaning she doesn't go around objects or people, she goes through them. And if one of her sisters are in the way, she has no problem pushing them aside. What's funny is that she likes to give more than take - meaning she acts tough, but when her other sisters try to push her around, she's the biggest baby ever. For a while, I thought her and Aven were most alike, but now it almost seems like Bria is the perfect balance between Aven (the needy one) and Stevie (the sweet one).
Stevie: Steve is crawling all around and doesn't appear she is on the walking path just yet. Generally what we've seen is that Stevie is a few months behind her sisters, so I think we have a couple of months yet. It's not because she "can't" per say, it's just because of how small she is. I just don't think her muscles are ready for it yet. Although Stevie has always been the sweet and "calmer" one, she does hold her own with her sisters. She won't let them bully her and will push her way through as well. There's times where you get a glimpse of her taking a toy from her sister and Andy and I do a silent fist pump. Stevie is also a bit of a loner - meaning that she does her own thing, can play by herself and doesn't need to immediately sit on your lap when you walk into the room. She has no problem doing her own thing. She's also more of a thinker and more observant. She tries to work through things and figure them out, versus her other sisters (and big brother) who get frustrated easily and turn to something else. She was the one after all that figured out how to move the baby gate from the stairs so her other sisters could climb up. She is also the most entertained by her big brother - she loves him and thinks he's the funniest in the world. She may be taking over as Declan's "favorite" :-). It's amazing at how similar the girls are, but yet how different their personalities can be.
Here's some 16 month pictures of the girls... (L to R: Bria, Stevie and Aven)
Bria...
Stevie & Aven...
Sweet Stevie...
L to R: Bria, Stevie & Aven...
