4 month check-up

The twins had their 4-month check up and vaccinations on Wednesday.  They are doing terrific and the doctor seemed very, very pleased with their progress and development. 

Amazingly, they are still very close in size.  Christopher weighed 14 1/2 lbs and Kendall was slightly heavier at 14 lbs, 7 oz.  They were exactly the same height at 25 inches.  If you compare them to other 2 month olds (which is their adjusted age), they are in the 75-90% percentile across the board.

Suuuuuper babies!

He was so pleased with their weight gain that we get to take them off the preemie formula and put them on regular Enfamil.  I wish I could say it was a cost savings but I don't think it will be.  At least the good news is that we can buy it in larger cans now.  The Enfacare was only available in 12.5 oz cans so I was buying a case every week at $90 a pop.  We'll wait until they are 6 months old before introducing solids.  The doc said preemies' stomachs are more sensitive and generally can't handle solids quite yet.  So, that will start in April.

The other good news is that they received their last RSV shot.  He initially said they'd get one per month during RSV season, which typically runs through March.  But, because of their size, he felt they wouldn't need that last shot.  That's great news for us because this month's was pretty damn expensive.  One shot is $1,800 per child.  I have a $1,000 deductible and then I'm responsible for 20% of the cost so our out-of-pocket JUST for February was $1,500.   Crazy, huh?  Oh well, what are you gonna do?  It's only money and my kids' health is more important.

Developmentally, they are right on track.  Both are holding their heads up without any support and they are starting to sit upright more.  They still need a little help or else they face plant into the sofa.  Within the last 2 weeks, they have discovered their hands and are now starting to reach out for items.  Christopher is a drooling machine right now.  I don't see any tooth buds yet but they have to be coming.  Can anyone tell me how long the drooling goes on before they actually cut a tooth? 

I was driving the kids home from daycare the other day and glanced back into the mirrors that  I have set up so I can see them.  Christopher was rubbing his hand back and forth across the wool that lines his car seat cover.  He just kept stroking it and rubbing it and then he'd grab it and then stroke it again..  It was so cute.
Christopher is definitely the happy-go-lucky guy.  He thinks everything is funny and nothing bothers him.  His favorite game is to sit on your lap and play the drums on your stomach or touching his ears with his hands.  He just giggles and squeals.  I don't know why it's so much fun, but it is.

Kendall absolutely loves to swing.  The swing has 2 toys on the tray and she just talks and talks to one of them.  I think she has a thing for cows.  She just stares at the cow and coos and ahhs and oohs.  Her eyes get all wide and bright.  She isn't quite giggling out loud yet but she has the biggest grin and cutely crinkles her nose when she smiles.  I think Kendall is going to be a chatty Cathy.  If I imitate her sounds, we'll have a conversation for a good 5 minutes.  She has my personality and tends to be a little more serious.  She stares at and studies people.  You can see her little mind working as she watches and takes it in. 

I never really thought about how different boys and girls are until I started to compare mine.  Christopher masters the physical stuff quicker and Kendall is mastering communication better.  Hum?  It develops that early.