This morning was the girls' second Synagis shot to help ward off RSV. I made the appointment for 8:10 a.m., hoping to get in and out before the doctors and nurses got behind on their schedules. You know how pediatrician's offices are.
Anyway, we got into the room (Devin was with me as well, making the conditions even more cramped) and the nurse immediately took the girls' temperatures and then weighed them. Much to my dismay, Faith is still not even 20 lbs. We've been trying to hit the 20 lb. mark for months now, but despite everything, she's still only 19 lbs, 14 oz completely naked and after a big meal. It puts her in the 3rd percentile for weight and her 30 inches puts her in the 4th percentile for length.
Gracie is 21 lbs, which is a little better, but not fabulous. She's in the 4th percentile for weight and at 30 inches is at the same percentile for length.
Apparently, this set off some alarms, so instead of just seeing the nurse, we had to do a full exam on both girls before Dr. T. would okay the Synagis shot.
Dr. T. is very thorough, so it was tempanograms and tested oxygen levels for both girls, to make sure they are getting over their bouts with RSV and ear infections. She listened to their chests, checked their ears and peeked down their throats. After all of that, we were given the go-ahead to do the shots, making our "in-and-out" visit for a shot into a 90-minute full exam for the babies.
I just hate this. Every time I go to a doctor's office, I get more bad news. It's never life-threatening news (aside from the RSV diagnosis), but just enough to add a few more gray hairs to my head. This morning was a perfect example -- a simple shot turns into a question of oxygen levels, ear infections and questions about why the twins aren't gaining any weight.
We see the pediatric GI specialist tomorrow, so I guess we'll get some more answers after that.
Will this ever end?
A Devin's Doozie to Lighten the Mood
Of course, life around here is never without humor and I just have to share this story.
We went to Mass this Saturday night and put the girls in the nursery. Devin went with us to "big church" and did fairly well. But he's a four-year-old boy, so there was a fair amount of squirming and, "Are we done yet?" inquiries.
Toward the end of the Mass is the consecration of the host -- the most important part of the Mass and the hallmark of Catholicism. It is where we believe the Holy Spirit descends upon the altar and transforms the bread and wine into the true body and blood of Christ. It's a solemn and quiet few moments, when we kneel in reverence and meditate on the incredible sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us.
During this time, while Todd and I were on bended knee and had our heads bowed, a gas bubble apparently formed in Devin's stomach. He let out a loud burp and after two simultaneous glares from Todd and me, he said, "Excuse me."
Following his apology, though, was, "Wow -- that burp tasted like peanuts."
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Mounting Frustration
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6 comments:
I am sorry for your worries. If it helps you feel better (I know I have said this before) my girls were/are small too. I realize being small is not the only issue its the lack of weight gain overall they look at too. My girls have never passed 5% on weight yet and still weigh only 23 and 25 pounds at three. At two they were barley hitting the 20 pound mark. I am glad you have Devin to keep you smiling, try not to let it get you down. I hope you can get some answers or rule enough things out so you can relax.
Oh, that Devin. I'm so sorry about the girls. IT must be so very stressful, and I'm so empathetic. You'll all be in my thoughts and prayers. And, if it makes you feel any better, my oldest daughter Grace weighed 20.5 lbs. at 2. She's always been in the 5th-25th percentile for weight, and she was term.
Hi Erin,
I will second Laura and Angie...my girls have always been below the 5th percentile in weight. I hope the appt with the GI specialist goes well and isn't just another downer of a dr. appt.
I LOVE how Devin keeps things light! Our Travis is a little guy too -- finally crept from the 3% in weight to the 5-10% range at 2 years. I'm sorry your doctors are making such a huge deal about that. Our pediatric GI just looked at Matt & I and said, "So, what do the grandparents say about his size?" We were so confused.. He said the grandparents would be the first to comment if a child is small for the family. It turns out Travis fits the family history of size for Matt, his brother, my sister, and I. You're a tiny person, Erin. Maybe your girls are just tiny by nature? (and not naughty? HA!) Had to add some humor there. :)
Gotta love Devin-- gets his classy act from his mother! Just remember, those girls are filled with surprising miracles! blake
Praying that everything turns out ok with the girls! Gosh, how frustrated you must be...have you talked to a nutritionist about some nice fattening foods to feed them? My BF has Micro premmies and her nutritionist always has great ideas about foods to fatten them up(mayo, butter, anything creamy, etc) Also, oatmeal cream pies, ice cream, lots of olive oil in pasta, etc.
About the Doozie...i remember my sister gassing up the bench right about the same time as Devin, when we were younger...instead of saying excuse me...all the sisters(3 of us) laughed so loud my poor mom and dad who was an usher probably almost had a nervous break down and everyone turned to see what the ruckus was in the back where we sat by the door waiting to escape during the last song that would go on forever!
Again, prayers being sent your way!
Brenda
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