Last night we swaddled Ada and Emmet and put them in the crib in the usual way - heads in opposite corners of the crib. This is how we found them this morning. Completely turned around and sort of snuggled up together. Needless to say they are unswaddled from here on out as these loose blankets freak me out. Ada was scratching and sucking on Emmets head - the evidence was a red and slobbery head!
We had our 4-month appointment today. Overall it went well. Ada is 14 lbs 4 oz and 24.25 inches - both measurments are in the 50th percentile. He head measurement however is in the 75th percentile...big noggin! The pediatrician was very happy with Ada's progress and body strength. Emmet is 13 lbs 7 oz (25th percentile) and 24.5 inches tall (50th percentile). For a while now we've had some concern with Emmet's head, neck, shoulder strength. Although he's gotten much stronger he continues to be floppy and always has his head tilted to one side. I had read about a condition called "Torticollis", which as it turns out Emmet has. CMT (Congenital Muscular Torticollis) is caused by damage to or a shortening of the Sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle in an infants neck. Sometimes, but not in all cases, there is a hematoma (lump) in the muscle where it was damaged. That lump will eventually go away as the muscle heals and is stretched. The most common causes of CMT are inutero positioning, lack of space inutero (big baby or little mom), a traumatic birth, multiples (lack of room again!), and low amniotic fluid inutero. In our case they think it's due to how he was positioned in utero - sideways and squished! So we have to start going to physical therapy to work on his neck strength. The pedi seemed fairly confident that it will correct with the PT. In extreme cases surgery would be needed to lengthen the muscle in the neck - but Emmet is not an extreme case. She also said that we can see an ENT about his congestion issues, which seem to happen after eating and sleeping. The shots (3 this time) almost seemed worse this time. Maybe it was because they are smiling and more social now. Emmet was smiling away at me until....OUCH!!! The crying starts, which is heartbreaking. They both did well though and stopped crying when picked up and cuddled. They were both really fussy this evening but I think that had more to do with missing their nap than the shot!The pediatrician suggested that we wait on the solid foods, especially with Emmet due to his lack of head control. She said they really don't need it until 6 months. She did say that if they start showing readiness signs, showing interest in us while we're eating, grabbing etc that we can start slow. On the sleeping front.....we offically moved them upstairs to their room this past Monday. Last Friday started sleeping through the night...well, for the most part. They have however stopped needing a middle of the night feeding. They do (especially Emmet) need some assistance (pacifier, re-swaddling etc) falling back to sleep after waking up sometimes. Of course now that I've written it here...they will wake up to eat tonight! Typically though they go to bed between 6:30-7:00pm and sleep until 6:00-7:00am. Not too shabby!!!! Speaking of sleep...it's time for me to hit the sack!!!
We received good news from the neurologist today about Ada's head. As many of you know Ada had an enormous hematoma on her head when she was born. It has since decreased quite dramatically but her head is still a little lopsided and the peditrician felt that we should see a neurologist because some of the blood has calcified. The neurologist feels that it is not large enough to require surgery, will not interfere with brain or skull growth and may even decrease some more yet. We were very happy to hear this as the thought of our precious little girl having to have surgery on her head did not sit well with us. Oh and we also found out that she is 14 lbs and 23 inches long. Takin' after her momma with those chunky monkey thighs!!!
Ada and Nana
Emmet managed to roll all the way over yesterday morning while trying to get at his favorite yellow lion! He still had his one arm stuck underneath him but I was so proud. Now, if only I had seen it! I was talking to Gina on the phone, looked away for a second when I hung up and when I turned back around there he was on his tummy! Figures!!!
Our trip to Nebraska was a success! As many of you know I was a nervous, anxious wreck during the week leading up to our departure....would the babies travel okay, how many times will we need to stop, will it take us 20 hours to get there, will they sleep okay while we're there, what if we get in an accident? The list of neurotic questions and what if's goes on and on. I am happy to report, however, that all went well! It took us 9 hours with 3 stops along the way to get there. We made it home in under 8 hours with only 2 stops. Ada and Emmet slept most of the way and we stopped when they told us it was time. I brought along my trusty double nursing pillow and was able to nurse in the back of the van. Nana and Pops followed us and were a big help during stops - the extra hands to feed (when we did bottles), hold and play were invaluable! I sat in the very back of the van so I could entertain, soothe and offer pacifiers when needed. Roger drove, obviously! Great Great Grandma was delighted beyond words to meet Ada and Emmet and hold them in her arms. I had to choke back the tears watching her with them as I hadn't expected the strong emotions that would bring out in me. It was a very special trip...how many people can say they have met their Great Great Grandma? Ada and Emmet got to meet A LOT of new people and they were quite a hit! We were anxious to get home but sad to say goodbye.The day after we returned Great Uncle Jack, Great Aunt Kathy, 2nd cousins Mark and his girlfriend Carrie, Paul and his wife Michele and 3rd cousin Jenna came to visit from Atlanta. It was great to see them! Jenna is a cutie pie and liked looking at the babies! The babies were recovering from their trip and were kinda cranky but hey, we can't all be happy all the time right? We don't get to see this crew very often so it was so nice to spend some time together, even if it's a different kind of visit than it used to be - diapers, bottles and babies have replaced restaurants, beers and music!The next day was 4th of July and we had another busy day. Grandma Marcin, Uncle Bill and cousin Alexis and Cantrell came for a cookout. Ada and Emmet did pretty well but were still recovering and a little fussy. They certainly enjoyed being held by Grandma Marcin and Uncle Bill! That night we had a cookout with friends and Greg and Gina. The babies joined us for a little while and after bedtime Roger and I were able to enjoy some adult time with a fire and good food in the back yard! I was anxious to get back on schedule and have some peaceful days at home with the babies. They are slowly getting back to "normal" after all the commotion and have been much happier the last two days. Roger and I woke up to Emmet talking away in the crib this morning with a big smile on his face! So precious!
The Flynn Family
The WHOLE Family
Arranging a picture with this many people is not easy, but it's so rare that we are all able to be together that we have to document it.
In Front (l-r):
Great Great Grandma with Ada, Mommy with Emmet
In Back (l-r):
Great Grandma and Nana
Great Great Grandma was so excited she has arranged to have this picture put in her local paper!
