Steady, steady wins the race...

Hi everyone,

Lila had her 2 month well-visit last week and weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces! She is still on the 4th percentile curve (12th on the preemie chart), but is making steady gains. The pediatrician was happy to see that she is continuing on that curve and said not to change anything we are doing. Brody has his 2 year check-up in 2 weeks so the doctor said we can weigh Lila again at that visit to see how she is progressing then. We will meet with the surgeon again on Sept. 8th. 

Lila continues to do well and is starting to smile a little more. I've gotten a few full-blown smiles from her in the past week and it makes my day when I see that! Brody is still a great big brother - he loves to kiss her and hug her and thought it was hysterical when I put her in the crib with him. 

He is growing up way too fast and has moved upstairs to his "big-boy" race car bed for naps and to sleep at night. He is also doing really well with the potty-training and loves wearing his "big-boy" underwear (specifically Buzz Lightyear or Handy Manny). I just have to have a lollipop handy at all times as a reward! 

Lila's umbilical hernia looks like it is here to stay until it is surgically repaired. It has gotten a little bigger, but the pediatrician said as long as it stays soft with no redness, not to worry about it. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the last few weeks of summer!

Brody during one of his last naps in his crib - obviously he was so tired he couldn't even put the book down...
Brody and Lila's first ride in the double stroller. Also, one of Brody's first outings wearing underwear - he is clutching a lollipop in his hand.

Just for fun...

Nothing really new to report - just wanted to post some pictures from the past couple days. Brody has had a very exciting few days. He got fitted for his ringbearer tux and got a new quad - all of these activities involved Brody's new prized possession - his baseball helmet (complete with face mask). He insisted on wearing the helmet through the entire fitting (this was a battle I didn't feel like fighting). 

Here he is on is new quad (thanks to his Aunt Cathy and Uncle Dan!) which he is in LOVE with...

And because Lila's too cute not to post any pictures of her...

On a curve...

We had our follow-up appointment with our surgeon last week and he was pleased with how Lila is progressing. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces at that appointment, putting her around the third to fifth percentile curves. Dr. Burns did show me a growth chart with all of her weights plotted and she has been consistently on/around these curves since she was born. This is good in that she is growing and at a steady rate - eventually we (and Dr. Burns) would like to see her make jumps to higher growth curves, but considering everything she has been through and that she was slightly premature, she is doing well with her gains. The home nurse took her scale back because we are no longer getting home nurse visits so I have no idea how much she weighs day to day. I think she is still gaining as she is starting to fit into some newborn clothes and there seems to be some extra chub on her legs and in her cheeks. We have our 2 month well-visit at the pediatrician in about 2 weeks so we will get a weight check then. Dr. Burns also said that Lila's eyes are starting to fit her face - in our words, she doesn't look so much like a bug or a deer in headlights!

Dr. Burns did say that Lila has an umbilical hernia, which I was expecting him to say based on what her belly button has looked like lately (a little bump of soft skin started sticking out 2 weeks ago). This is a pretty common thing in babies, and for most it heals on its own, but for babies with a history of gastroschisis, it often requires surgery to repair. He said that Lila will probably need outpatient surgery at around 6 months to repair it, but we will cross that road when we come to it.

Overall, I think she is doing really well. Tom and I both think we saw her smile today, but I'm still waiting to be sure. She turned 8 weeks yesterday which is so hard for me to believe. She is getting more alert and making better eye contact every day. The reflux continues to be an issue so I spend a lot of time holding her upright after she eats for a while, but she does not seem to be in pain. She is a pretty pleasant baby, just gets mad at Brody sometimes when he insists she wants her nuk and tries to jam it in her mouth. Brody is still doing pretty well as far as not having too much jealousy. The only time we see it is when he wants to sit on my lap or be held and he demands that "Wy-wa go in carseat" or "daddy hold Wy-wa." He is still very interested in her and even tried feeding his baby doll like mommy feeds Lila! He mimics pretty much everything we do!

Lila enjoying her bath (8 weeks old):

Brody at 3 months (I think they really look alike, but I think I'm biased...):

Lila relaxing on the couch:

Brody at breakfast with his hat (that he sleeps with) and "cool dude" glasses: