15 Month Check-Up

The twins had their 15 month check-up today.  They are both doing well.

Mr. Man gained 1 pound since their one-year check up and grew 1 1/4 inches.  Ms. Kendall gained 1/2 pound and also grew 1 1/4 inches.  Their measurements are so close, it's really amazing:

Christopher:
Weighs 22 pounds, 6 ounces (25th percentile)
Is 32.5 inches tall (75% percentile)
Head circumference is 18 1/4 (25th percentile)

Kendall:
Weighs 22 pounds, 7 ounces (25-50th percentile)
Is 32 3/4 inches tall (97th percentile)
Head circumference is 17 3/4 (25th percentile)

The kids are doing well at daycare.  We've all been fighting colds for the last 2 weeks and Christopher ended up developing a sinus infection.  He's back to his old self now and silly as ever.  It took him about one week to transition to the new school and now, he's having fun.

Kendall has really blossomed.  She is walking now.  She was the only one in her class that was still crawling and I think she got motivated by watching the other kids.  They are learning sign language and my smart little girl used it today.  We were playing this morning and she came over to me and said "Mo" and put her fingers together to make the sign for "More".   She was telling me she wanted breakfast!  I was so proud - I swear I got teary eyed!

They are both saying a few words now:

Ma Ma
Da Da
Bye Bye
Hi
No
Yeah
Ut Oh
... and now Mo?

On a more serious note, I can't remember if I mentioned before that we've been watching Kendall's leg?  When she was around 3 months old, I noticed her right thigh was thicker.  If was shortly after the meningitis scare and the same leg they put the central IV line in to administer the antibiotics.  And, the same leg that developed the blood clot from the IV line.  At first, I thought it might still be swelling from that.  I continued to keep an eye on it and it never seemed to get worse or bother her. 

When she started standing, I noticed it more and thought it was best to have it looked at again.  The doctor chalked it up to basic assymmetry and said she would outgrow it.  At their 9 month check-up, the doctor examined it again and could see where there was not only a difference in circumference but, also a slight difference in length (about 1/4 inch) between the right and left leg.  When measured, the length was the same from her hip to her knee cap but there was a slight difference in her tibia (from her knee to ankle).  The doctor officially diagnosed it as hemihypertrophy.  I've done extensive research since then and, as with infertility, you find good and bad information on the internet. 

Kendall's case appears to be isolated to the one bone but there are more severe cases where an entire side of the body can be affected.  So, when she turns 18 months old, we'll have an abdominal ultrasound performed to make sure her kidneys and liver aren't affected.  Since it is classified as a "overgrowth syndome", her risk of tumors is greater.  Most times, they are benign liver tumors.  But still.  What parent wants to ever hear or mention the word "tumor"?

If her scan is clear, the doctor said it's fairly safe to assume that it will be a cosmetic issue only.  Meaning, she might have to wear a slight lift in her left shoe to make up for the 1/4 -1/2 inch difference in length.  Her thigh is still slightly thicker but I think it's more noticeable to me because I know it's there.  I don't think a complete stranger would stop and notice.  He said that the overgrowth levels off by age 2 and that whatever the difference in length is at that point, it would remain consistent for the remainder of her growth years.  He didn't notice any marked difference since he saw her 3 months ago so it doesn't appear to be any worse.  That's good news considering she grew an inch and the difference still remained 1/4 inch between the 2 legs.

There is a part of me that is scared to death.  I'm not going to lie.

My little girl already went through more than her fair share during her first 3 months.  Subjecting her to ultrasounds and tests and prodding and poking makes my stomach hurt.  And, if the u/s does show something, the thought of cancer and treatment makes me want to vomit. 

Of course I would put my own life on the line to save her and we will do whatever we have to do.  We'll deal with it and we'll win.  But, do me a favor?  Say a prayer that this turns out to be nothing anyway, OK?

Heavy Heart

Please say a few prayers for 3 of our fellow bloggers.

I know most of you follow Jen @ Maybe If You Just Relax.  If you don't, she recently lost one of her twin girls during delivery.  I can't even imagine what she is going through right now.

Polly @ In2MeSee recently lost her father to pancreatic cancer just before Christmas.  It happened post-transfer of another IVF cycle.  Her beta levels aren't quite doubling like they should and she fears another miscarriage.

Tiffany@ Slow Journey just found out she is pregnant without any assistance and got some great news today - her beta doubled.  She has a history of miscarriages so she is justifiably worried but today's beta is very promising!

I know all of these women could use your words of inspiration and support.  Please stop by their blogs to say a few words.

We Survived

The twins started daycare today.  Kendall seemed to fair a little better than Christopher but they both did fine.

I decided to take them for 2 half days last week and I'm so glad I did.  The first day, we took them to their classroom and stayed for about 10 minutes.  Both kids seemed interested in exploring and weren't clinging to us at all so I asked if we could observe them from outside the classroom.  They had a monitor set up in their administrative office so we were able to go into another room and see the kids.  As soon as we left, Christopher started crying and kept walking over to the door like he was looking for us or expecting us to come right back.  The good thing is that he did go to the teacher for comfort so he felt safe with her.  He cried for about 30 minutes straight before he calmed down.

Kendall seemed OK until he started crying and then she started.  And, she cried so hard that she was hyperventiliating.  It was horrible.  I started crying just watching them.  It was so hard to not to go in there.

The 2nd day went better.  Christopher still cried when I left the room but he calmed down after about 10 minutes.  Kendall never cried.  By late morning, they were both running around and playing.

Today was their first full day.  As soon as we opened the door to the classroom, Christopher dropped to the ground and started crying - he didn't want to go in.  I stayed for about 10 minutes and then quickly kissed them goodbye and left. 

I talked to the teacher around 11 and she said Christopher would cry for about 5 minutes and then be OK for a little while and then cry again.  He seemed to get upset when someone new would come into the room or when one of the teachers would leave.  She said he seemed to calm down again around late morning and he did take a nap and ate well.  Kendall did great.  She walked right in this morning and started playing.  The teacher said she never cried or seemed upset.  I'm wondering if she is doing a little better because she was exposed to different people in the hospital?

Christopher's reaction doesn't surprise me.  He is definitely the more sensitive one and clingier than Kendall.  He is such a sweet little boy and I hate that he spent today feeling upset.  Unfortunately, daycare is something we have to do.  I don't make a ton of money but I make enough to count.  Trust me, I've run the numbers time and time again and there's just not a way for me to stay home.

I know he will adjust over time - it may take a few weeks but in the long run, I know he'll be happier in that environment.  So far, I love all of the teachers and everyone I've met.   My niece and nephew both go there as well as the daugher of my co-worker.  This will be good for them.

In other news, the holidays were great - except for all of us getting the stomach flu.  OMG - it was horrible.  Kendall got it first and then Christopher got it that night at 7:00 and then DH got it at 11:00 pm.  We made it through Wednesday and I thought I was in the clear and then it hit me Thursday morning.   At least it was gone by Christmas Day.   I haven't had time to upload Christmas photos yet.

In the meantime, here's a few pics:

Future Super Model

Ready for my Christmas photo!

 

"Look what I can do!  I can climb on the couch in a flash!"

My little guy