One mama, two babies, six doctors....

It wasn't a pretty four hours! Yesterday the babes went to another neonatal follow up appt. where preemies get to meet with a physical therapist, occupational therapist, audiologist, neurologist, nutritionist, and pediatrician to mark their progress. Until they are 18 months of age the doctors at the clinic chart their progression according to the babies adjusted age(9 months old in Sam and Amelia's case).
But, no matter how old a baby is, four hours is a loooong time to be kept awake, being poked and prodded, held by strangers, asked repeatedly to show off their skills, etc. Overall they were such troopers! It was one of those days where I had to just look at it as a challenge and be determined to succeed and laugh at the bloopers. Oh, there were plenty of bloopers.

First.
I woke up and was reveling in the sound of the rain outside before I realized that I had left the double stroller outside and it would be soaked! Ahhh! That meant I would need to use a single stroller and sling to navigate from office to office, getting the sling babe in and out,in and out. It wasn't the easiest way to go, but thankfully it turned out OK and maybe even better as Amelia really isn't a big fan of the stroller these days.

Second.
By the time we got to our first appt. it was time for the babies to eat. The Audiologist greeted us and launched into the most ridiculous forms of testing for babies, expecting them to sit still long enough for this little ear piece not to fall out for almost a minute while she studied their inner ear.. Riiiggghht. It took forever. Next, we went into the "Sound booth" where they sat on my lap and listened for her voice to come out of speakers on either side of them. If they looked in the right direction when hearing sounds they were rewarded with a lit up sesame street character and flashing lights. She was sure they would LOVE this once they got started even though I told her that it was time for them to nurse. Well, Sammy went first and did great until he could not handle his hunger any longer and got super fussy. Incredulously, her perky voice came over the speakers and said, "OK, let's switch babies!" Um, OK. Amelia was already fussing and as soon as I put her in my lap she started trying to nurse through my shirt. Meanwhile, Sam was writhing on the floor on a blanket next to us until I managed to one handedly get his bottle of apple juice out of the diaper bag and down to him. Needless to say, her test didn't go very well and right before I decided to ignore Big Bird and Cookie Monster and feed her right then and there, we were shuffled into an empty room to feed the ravenous babes.

Third.
The Neurologist used cheerios to test the babies pincher grasp skills. I warned him before he handed Sam a cheerio that this baby would be begging for more the entire rest of the session if he gave him one now.He didn't listen. Sam made his loud grunting noises for the next thirty minutes and the Dr. ad to keep giving him cheerios between every task.

Fourth.
The stern,older German pediatrician. The whole appt. with her was just funny. The babes and I were all so tired by that point that we were a bit loopy. Sam would not bend his legs for anything, Amelia couldn't be peeled out of my arms, at one point I was holding Sam in my lap while Stern Doctor checked his throat,etc.(all the while he was standing up) and so I was holding him with one arm while feeding Millie sweet potatoes with the other. Finally, towards the end Stern Doctor smiled and said what characters they both were:)

The list could go on and on my friend. Overall, though, it was great to hear how they were progressing and it made for lots of funny memories. Well, spring time is here and the babies are waking from a nap so we are going to head outside. Enjoy your day! Jen