brelin's medical adventures: September 2012

I guess I'm averaging about one post per month. I think that's pretty good, all things considered.
Here is my best summary of all that's been happening this past month.

1. The kids are doing amazing. We think Colby is getting close to 11 or 12 lbs. And Kinley is probably somewhere in the 9-10 lbs range. Both kids are doing a tremendous eating, and although it takes a while--they are finishing 3-4 oz per feeding. They eat about every 3-ish hours, and mostly at the same time. We are currently transitioning them to a new formula (just for regular kids instead of preemies.) The transition is going very well for Colby, and not quite as easy for Kinley. Both kids spit up on occasion, and seem to like to puke on me more than Marcus. I'm not sure if they just feel like I can relate on a deeper level or if I just squeeze them more tightly than Daddy does. :)

2. Both babies are getting stronger each day!! Kinley is holding her head up really well during tummy time. She like to get her practice in right away and then cries to be held and rewarded for her awesomeness. Colby, on the other hand, has a more relaxed approach to tummy time. He'll lay there smiling at you and chomping his fist for a solid 5 minutes. Then he starts to get a little frustrated that nothing has happened, and that his gigantic head has not magically lifted from the blanket. Then he begins to wiggle his little butt until his head comes off the blanket. He does this several times in a row and then gets so frustrated he'll squawk. The whole thing is hilarious, and it's funny to recognize our personalities in each child.

3. They smile a LOT, and I'm convinced it's not just gas. Our kids are both noisy and irritable when gassy. But when they're content (just fed, super relaxed)--they both smile like crazy. Especially when you're talking and laughing, they'll get right into it. They've just started to really enjoy their play mat, and bat their arms at the animals that are dangling from the sky. They love to track their toys with their eyes, and especially love to look at the cool pennants that hang near the changing table. Each one enjoys the chevron stripes painted on the walls in their nursery, and it's so cool to watch them focus. They are both sleeping in their own cribs each night, and doing a great job. They're both pretty noisy when they sleep, but don't seem to wake each other up.

4. I'm doing okay. I am continuing to pump breast milk for the team, and that's going pretty well. I was starting to wean off of pumping all together, but then read a series of posts from people with gastroparesis who all said that their health tanked once they stopped breastfeeding. Not wanting to take the risk, I ramped back up and am pumping several times a day again. I also had my gastric pacemaker turned back on. While it doesn't seem to be doing anything helpful, it's not shocking me like it was before. So, I guess that's good? I also started on a new medication called domperidone. It's a pro-kinetic drug that helps the stomach empty faster. It's helping a bit, and is actually used to help women produce more breast milk in Canada--so safe to take while feeding the babes.

We're having an open house in the Tri-Cities from 1-4 pm on Sunday, September 23. We'd love to have you join us to meet the dynamic duo. Stop by anytime!! It's at my parent's house, and if you need the address, just text or call me. My sister, Sarah, will be home from DC too--so you can say hi to her as well.