Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Lucy's first day of FOUR YEAR OLD preschool!

Can you believe it? Lucy had her first day of four year old preschool today. Where does the time go? She was so excited to get to go today. Well, she has been excited for about a month now. ;)

I took her picture when we got to school this morning. . . .

She's a little less crazy in this one ;) . . . 


So excited!!!

My big girl

Lucy had a great first day. She came home with a green light for behavior, some paint on her arm, and a big smile on her face. She is so excited about her turn to be the star of the day - I imagine that's all I will here until it's her turn next Thursday. She can't wait to go back tomorrow. ;)

I'm so glad she's so happy to be in school. It's so good for her to be able to have a chance to socialize with kids her own age. This little girl loves learning so much and we are so proud of our smart girl!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Check ups!


Alex and Charlie went for their one year old check up last Wednesday. We have found a new pediatricians office here which we LOVE!!!! I cannot say enough good things about Brenner's Children's Pediatrics office in Clemmons. Lucy went for a check up last month (more on her in a minute), we've been in to see about the boys' eczema and then also for their appointment. They have three pediatricians on staff and we've seen them all in those three appointments. Each of them has been wonderful and we have left each time feeling like they are giving the best care possible to our children.

Charlie's One Year Old Stats:
   Height: 28 inches
   Weight: 17 lbs, 9 oz
   Head Circumference: 18 inches

Alex's One Year Old Stats:
   Height: 28 inches
   Weight: 17 lbs, 4 oz
    Head Circumference: 18 inches

Both boys are doing well, meeting all developmental milestones - most even by their age, rather than corrected for their prematurity. They still are having issues with eczema and because of previous experiences with milk, our pediatrician decided we need to have them tested for a milk allergy. HALLELUIAH!!! I am beyond thrilled. I have been sure for some time now that they have some kind of allergy/sensitivity to milk products and as we are transitioning from breastmilk and formula, it's important that we know what they can handle. They are scheduling them to meet with the pediatric allergist in their building. This does mean that I'll have to continue pumping for a while (or pay A LOT for more Nutramagin formula!) but it will be worth it in order to find out how to help them feel better!

Another concern of theirs and ours is the boys weight. They are on the small side. . . even for being born 6 weeks early. Right now, they are barely on the growth chart. Charlie is in the 4th percentile and Alex is in the 1st percentile. At this time, while we are still in limbo as to whether they can have dairy products, it's difficult to think of easy ways to add some fat into their diet. (Like cooking with butter, heavy cream, etc) For now, we've increased the amount of calories in their formula ( 22 calories instead of 20) as well as adding some formula in with their breastmilk bottles. We are also supposed to let them eat whenever they want. If only someone would let Mommy do that . . . sigh. . . ;)

They had to have five shots this time. Poor babies!! Of course, they are tough little boys and handled it much better than their sister did with hers. They also had to have blood drawn to check their hemoglobin, iron, and check for lead. They cried for just a minute but were quickly ok. We came home and took a good nap and after that, they seemed just fine. Alex was a little clingy but Mommy sure didn't mind a few extra snuggles!

What a year it's been  .  .. . I looked back at their weights from one year ago in the NICU. Charlie was 4 lb, .5 oz and Alex was 3 lbs, 10.5 oz. Both boys had feeding tubes and Charlie was still on oxygen. Now, they are two busy little boys, curious about everything, and only slowing down to sleep. They will be walking any day now. They can say, Bye and their favorite word is UH OH! How far they have come!!



Lucy also had a check up last month - I just can't believe that she is already four! Her appointment went well too. She is doing great! Her stats are:
                         Height: 3 ft, 3.5 inches (40th percentile)
                         Weight: 30 lbs, 4 oz. (10th percentile)

There were no concerns for Lucy . . . she is healthy as can be and smart, smart, smart. The pediatrician asked me if she knew all her ABC's. Um, yeah, this child is reading books that are labeled at a 2nd grade level! I described her reading, math, and writing abilities to the pediatrician along with saying, "I know all parents say their kid is smart, but I feel like she really is." The pediatrician told me, that yes, these were extraordinary skills for a four year old! ;) Gotta love my smarty pants!!

Lucy had to have three shots. I had been dreading this because I knew that she was now old enough to know what was happening. I didn't tell her anything leading up to it and she was fine until she actually got the shots. The worst part was AFTER the shots! She just kept crying and sobbing, "I don't want any shots!" "I don't want to get a shot!" No matter how much you tried to tell her that she was done, she just kept crying "I don't want any shots!" Don't worry. . .she was fine after a good nap. Of course, if you ask her about it, even to this day, she will relay the horribleness of the whole even to you. ;)

We are so blessed to have three happy and healthy children. :) I'll let you know what we find out from the allergist!

Sunday, August 11, 2013

First Birthday Party

We had such a fun first birthday for the boys. Since their birthday was on a Saturday, we had their party on the same day.

Charlie didn't mind the party hat at breakfast

Alex wasn't quite as enthusiastic. . .

We had dairy free cupcakes for the boys ;)

I can't believe how big they look!

Celebratory dinner


And speaking of looking big. . . when did this little one start looking like such a big girl?

Uncle Lattie is cool ;)


Alex with his birthday cupcake

I had to blow Charlie's out quickly so he wouldn't play with it

Charlie liked his cupcake

So did Harper!

What a crazy girl

Alex was not a big fan though. . . 

My little men . . . that baby face is quickly disappearing!

Present time!



Alex likes anything that has a ball with it!

Of course, his favorite gift was a card ;)

Charlie likes crayons

Flack family of five


Happy birthday, my two precious boys! Mommy and Daddy love you so much. What a wonderful year it's been. . . maybe you could slow down growing up just a bit, huh? ;)

One short year!

Charlie and Alex are one year old. . . .can that really be possible? There are many days (sometimes too many days!) where it seems like bedtime will never get here after a crazy day with these busy little guys, but now looking back as their first birthday has come and gone, I wonder how the time flew by without my noticing. And what a year it's been!


Sweet boys on their way to the NICU

Charlie's first night

Alex's first night

Charlie

Alex

First picture of the Flack family of five

Almost ready to leave the NICU
 Going home. . .
 1 month old

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

One year old!