Wednesday, February 1, 2012

9 Week Stats

Today, Ezra and Elliott went in for their 8 week check up (a week late, that is). Here is how each boy is measuring up:

Ezra


Weight: 11 pounds 3 ounces
Length: 22.3 inches

Elliott


Weight: 11 pounds 13 ounces
Length: 22.75 inches

Elliott is in the 97th percentile for both weight and length for his adjusted age. Ezra is in the 90th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for length. According to our pediatrician, they are perfect (but we already knew that).

The boys had immunizations automatically scheduled with their appointments, which caused some commotion when Nathan and I explained we wanted to defer and also stagger all immunizations. Needless to say, our pediatician was not happy. For five solid minutes, we had an awkward conversation, where we assured her we knew what we were doing and that "yes, we don't want all immunizations today." I felt like I was 5 years old, rather than a competent parent.

When Nathan and I were married, I never thought immunizations for our children would be one of our major disagreements. Growing up with a nurse as a parent, I was taught to get every immunization in exact agreement with the planned schedules. Conversely, Nathan's family is more holistic. He was taught to pick and choose immunizations based on research and experience.

Our compromise: We give our children most vaccinations, but we delay the shots until they are a bit older (all of our babies were premature). We also only do one shot at a time--no cocktails.

Nathan and I are happy with our decision and thrilled we were able to compromise. To then have a pediatrician bring up an already touchy subject (and then lecture us) was not my ideal trip to the doctor's office. Eliza's pediatrician in Provo was very understanding of the situation and certainly did not make us feel as though we were ignorant and careless individuals. Like any parent, we want what is best for our children. I tried to remain calm and remind myself that the doctor had the babies' best interest in mind; it just was frustrating to go back and forth for several minutes and feel like a bad person in the end.

Other than that, the experience was positive. It's wonderful to see our babies growing and to know they are healthy. Nathan had to loosen their carseat straps a generous amount in order to get them to fit! The boys were happy to be out and couldn't stop looking around with all the bright lights. To be honest, I noticed just how blue their eyes are today. They are never in harsh lights at home (of course) and we are always trying to keep their eyes closed. So, when then they opened their baby blues under the fluorescent office lighting, I almost couldn't believe my own eyes! They (the boys, the eyes) are gorgeous. 
We also received an extraordinary amount of attention using the Double Snap 'N Go. At all other visits, we simply carried the boys and the fact that we had two babies was less obvious. There is no hiding twinhood while pushing the double stroller, though!


I guess it's just a taste of things to come in the future. I'm an extrovert, so I don't mind the attention. Nathan, on the other hand, would prefer to hide in the corner and have no one come talk to us. Sorry, Nathan, but you are going to be popular when you take the twins out in public :)
Better get used to it!

6 comments:

  1. That's so awesome that they're getting so big! That's about the same size Weston was at his 8 week appointment too. Don't worry about your doctor...it's so hard to find someone that's on the same page you are. I got lucky that I've got the same doctor for the kids that my family started seeing when we were younger. But he's a family practice doctor instead of a "pediatric" doctor and I think that helps him stay a little more mellow :) PS Just found your blog and I love it!

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  2. Celia, you grow your babies well :) They're both bigger than Hazel! Way to go! Keep up the great work! I sure wish you had more options for pediatricians. Yours doesn't sound very friendly.

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  3. Wow! They are getting so close in size. I love it!

    Once again, grr to the pediatrician. I just don't understand why she can't be more compliant to your opinions. I agree with how you are doing the vaccinations. :)

    Their eyes are BLUE!! Oh my goodness! The double stroller is amazing. I'm also inlove with the orange blankets. So cute!!
    I use many exclamations. :)

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  4. They look AMAZING.
    And I love that picture of Nathan, haha. Silly dads.

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  5. I'm sorry it was a hard experience with the doctor. But wow, your babies are growing so well! Awesome cute chubby babies!!

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  6. Love that picture of Nathan. He's like, "Really? Do you have to take a picture of me standing in the waiting room at the pediatrician's office?"

    I have had so many similar experiences with doctors, especially while pregnant. Shots are tough. Other things, like putting a baby to sleep on their back, for instance, you can just ignore or lie about. I've never questioned the immunization thing, especially after I read a Jonas Salk bio. Now I'm like, "Please vaccinate my children and thank you!" But whatever you and Nathan decide is up to you and the doctor should support you. By the way, Washington state has the highest percentage of un-vaccinated kids in the nation. You think they'd be used to it.

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