Ryder . 20 Months

20 months old; 28 pounds, 6 ounces.

Ryder's doing his best to make up for lost time of not having teeth (he has 2 more new ones poking through) - bringing the tooth count to 14 now. 

Last month he was moved to the "big kid" booster seat at the table.  But, after a couple of weeks in it, we decided that it would be nice to have one at the counter too.  He can sit/kneel on the stools, but his little socked feet slide around too much for us to be comfortable.  So, we purchased another booster, and have it at the counter.  It works out great - he eats there when his meal is ready, but ours is not yet, or when he "helps" make the meal, or when he wants to color!

He continues to not talk, but seems to be babbling even more now than before.  We also encourage his dancing whenever there is any music, and he has started to throw in some jumping as a new move!

Ryder discovered he can easily slip his feet into Patrick's shoes.  He won't put my shoes on, but loves to stand in Patrick's (the ones for work (steel-toed) are especially heavy, so he can't walk in them).

Smiling in the tub.

We've been working on a lot of the little things in the twins' room, and Ryder loves to hang out with us and help (or, really, play with the doors).

Getting his teeth brushed.

Ryder is pretty unsure of the snow, so Patrick was trying to show him it is okay!





Reading books!

Patrick finished building Ryder's new bed (twin size), and I helped to stain/urethane it.  The final assembly had to be done in Ryder's room - Ryder refuses to let Patrick work on any project (especially ones with the drill or ladder) alone.  When Patrick requires the use of the drill, Ryder finds other ways to entertain himself - this time, by playing with Patrick's hat!

Playing with the "Olivia in a box".

"Hugging" Kate - he LOVES it, she does not.

Playing with his wagon on the driveway.

Happy about eating his green beans!

Eating a snack at the counter.



Patrick order 3 tons of crushed rock as a base for the playset (we will still lay down the weed barrier, then several inches of tumbled pea gravel).  Ryder, of course, wanted to help by pushing the wheelbarrow with Patrick - good thing Patrick is patient, it took him at least 4 times as long to make each trip.

Finally, he was able to convince Ryder to at least ride back in the wheelbarrow to save a little time!

RUNNING around the house with his balloons - it doesn't even matter if they lose helium - the kid LOVES balloons!

Working on the playset.

Taking a break from work to play with his wagon.

St. Patrick's Day.

This picture does not do the situation justice at all.  We were given some hand-me-downs for the twins, along with a few organizational boxes - this one had clothes in it, and Ryder just randomly came over to help me with the clothes, picked it up, and dumped the clothes on his head, and proceeded to walk around (and bump into things) with this on his head.  You could hear him laughing as he was doing it - Patrick and I were laughing so hard, and he just kept going!

Ryder's cold came back this weekend, so we gave him some medicine to help with the cough - the kid loves medicine.  He will stop what he is doing, and run into the kitchen when you ask him if he wants medicine - I call him my little junkie.  I thought kids hated taking medicine - not him!

Playing with the drill while Patrick hung his new curtains before bathtime.

I need to take a picture of Ryder's new room to share, with his new bed, chair and curtains.  He's done an excellent job transitioning to the twin bed, which makes life easier for Patrick and I, since we only had to buy one more crib!

And . . . a twin update . . .

I'm nearly 32 weeks now, and am still doing well.  If you had any doubt that I grow "big babies", let me assure you the 11 pound baby was no fluke - on Friday, I was 31 weeks, 2 days - the babies measured 33 weeks, 4 days; and 33 weeks, 5 days - that is 2 weeks, 2 (or 3) days BIGGER than an AVERAGE SINGLETON baby.  At this point, twins are usually about a week or so smaller than an average singleton baby.  They weigh 4 pounds, 12 ounces and 4 pounds, 13 ounces - that's a combined 9 pounds, 9 ounces already!  A common "goal" weight for twins is just 5 pounds each.

If all goes as planned, I have about 6.5 weeks more to go.  Those babies will be here soon!

To help prepare, Patrick and I have been making freezer meals for ourselves for the first few months of having 3 children.  With (lots of) help from a co-worker (for recipes and advice!), we already have quite the stockpile - 6 full pans of manicotti, 6 of lasagna, 6 of Anne's Chicken/Broccoli Casserole, and 12 (just 8x8) of Cheesy Potatoes to use as a side for just about any grilled meat!  And, we have a few more recipes planned to make over the next few weekends!  If living in Utah (most of) your whole life teaches you anything, it's that you should have lots of food storage!

Baby Shower!!!

31 Week Update

No real new news to report.  My doctor measured me, and checked the boys' heartbeats.  I have started to have issues with swelling, but he is not concerned, as my blood pressure remains "remarkably good", and no other signs of Pre-Eclampsia (the cause for the induction with Ryder).

 

He will be out of town the last week of the month, but has no other "out of office" plans until late summer.  It's nice knowing that he will be available when the babies are born!

 

Because of his time off, my next appointment is moved back a week, but he will no longer let me "get away" with fewer appointments - beginning in April, I will have to go in weekly to see him.  Really, though, compared to the "typical" schedule for a twin pregnancy, I have gotten away with much fewer appointments!

 

I see the Perinatologist tomorrow - that office also does Non-Stress Tests.  My doctor says they are oftentimes preformed weekly starting about now, but that he is comfortable with me not having any, unless there is a medical reason.  Of course, I'm also good with that plan - those tests are about 2 hours each, and are separate from other appointments.  Until there is any sign of concern, there really is no benefit to undergoing the extra evaluation.  Hopefully the Perinatologist will be on board with that plan too!

 

Finally, my doctor says that he is confident I will be able to carry the babies through "at least" mid-April, and into the end of the month.  He's not completely confident I will carry them to the 38 week mark (May 4), but I am confident I will - and, once I get that far, he would prefer to induce me within a couple of days.  My goal is May 6.  That's only 50 days away.  I can make it!

29 Week Update

Another doctor (just OB) appointment this morning. 

My OB no longer does ultrasounds at each appointment, as the boys' growth is being so closely monitored by the Perinatologists.  This is nice, in that I very much dislike the ultrasound goop that they use, but it is kind of fun to get a chance to see the babies.  From now on, my OB will just monitor my growth (it's never encouraging to hear that I am measuring bigger now than I did with Ryder at full-term.  I mean, I knew that I was, but to have an actual number confirm it a different thing).  Their heartbeats were also both sounding great.

I talked with my OB about my continued fatigue, and while that is expected with any pregnancy, and even more so with a multiple birth pregnancy, he recommended I start taking an iron supplement.  My blood tests indicate that my iron levels are still within a normal range, but are quite low for "my normal" iron levels - meaning, the boys are taking as much of it as they can, leaving me with just a little.  The iron isn't a "magic pill" as he was quick to point out, but should at least help the fatigue not worsen quickly.  Oh, and my blood pressure remains at an "optimal" level!

My OB confirmed some dates with me . . . once I hit 35 weeks (April 13), if I go into labor naturally, he will not likely stop me from progressing.  Anything previous to that date, he will do what he can to delay the labor.  Also, if I can make it to 38 weeks (May 4), he says that it will be up to me when I want to be induced - he does not want me to go much longer than that, but will "allow" me to, as long as the babies and I are doing okay still.  That means we still have at least 6 weeks to wait, but no more than 9ish weeks, until we can meet these boys!

Finally, Patrick and I talked with my OB about the Whooping Cough (Tdap) Vaccination (or booster).  Due to an increase in cases of Whooping Cough in the state, Utah Health Clinics is coming around to State Offices offering the vaccination to employees and covered dependents.  It is recommended for various groups of people, including those that will be in close contact with children, especially ages 12 months and younger.  My OB encouraged Patrick to receive the booster anytime, and for me to get it following delivery.  Patrick and I aren't asking each of you to get it, but if your employer or health insurance offers it (and covers it like ours does), feel free to get one!