Four Month Check Up!

James Daniel smiling at the nurse while she was weighing him. This is unusual because they generally hate to be cold and "exposed", they are much happier warm and bundled up. But for some reason, James was really happy about the scale and smiled at the nurse every time she talked to him.

John David "talking" to the nurse. It was so funny, I wish I would have had video of him cooing at her.

The girls and I went to get ice-cream after school to celebrate Claire passing her rocket math test, and then we went to the Brook Hills playground (fenced in, safe equipment, no grass or bark, and it is even shaded!) The girls had a fabulous time eating ice-cream and playing on the playground. I fed the boys in the van AGAIN! Then we all played until about 5:30, then headed home.

James Daniel in his BUMBO seat. He loves it way more than John David does. John David tries to arch his back and straight up tell you he doesn't want to sit in it.

The boys had their four month check up today. I am completely flooded with so many memories and emotions as I reflect over the past four months. I still vividly remember the drives to the hospital early on when they were so sick and seemed so tiny and frail. I'll never forget the feeling of bringing them home and the overwhelming apprehension of being responsible for taking care of them ALL BY MYSELF! I remember when their heads barely reached above the straps in their car seat. They are growing well and thriving wonderfully and we thank God daily for the blessing of their health. I am still amazed at their existence and how well they have done. Dr. Darby said today that they are already making gains toward "catching up" and that she expects them to be so by the time they are a year old. James weighed 9 pounds 1 ounce and John David weighed 10 pounds 4 ounces. James was 21 inches long and John David was 22 and 1/4 inches long. They are tracking with their eyes, smiling and cooing, and holding their heads up fairly well. Dr. Darby did mention that they need to spend some extra time on their tummies to strengthen their torso's. The boys got two vaccines (I am going to stagger their immunizations so they don't get 5 at one time!). Dr. Darby was very impressed by their growth and development and said as of right now, she didn't have any concerns or worries. I plan on calling the Bell Center (an early intervention center) to get some information on how we can get the boys involved there.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for these precious baby boys. They have a long way to go, but have already come so far in just four months. They should really only be about 6 weeks old, but instead they are 16 weeks old! It is hard to believe they entered this world 16 weeks ago at 2+ pounds!!!