Ok, sorry it's been so long since the last update. The kids are now three months old, and although much is the same, much has changed.
Since the season of RSV (respiratory synsitial virus--look it up if you want) is pretty much over, and the kids are healthy and we're settled in, those of you who've been bugging me about coming for a visit are welcome to call and let us know when you want to come see them.
We saw the Pulmonologist for CarrieAnna yesterday. He said she has outgrown the risk of apnea (stop breathing) from prematurity, and can be off her monitor permanently. Michelle is very excited about not having to mess with the probes anymore.
Their weights are as follows, and I've included the birthweights for those who don't remember, or just for comparison. CarrieAnna's weight is accurate (sans clothing), James and Holly's weights are estimates within a few ounces (they were weighed with their clothes on).
The are all still on medications for reflux, which has to be increased every so often as they gain weight. You can really tell when it's time for the dosage to be increased (like when Holly spewed four feedings in a row last Sunday).Kid Birthweight 4/30/98 -------- ----------- ------- CarrieAnna 3lbs 14oz 10lbs 0oz James 2lbs 4oz 8lbs 13oz Holly 3lbs 6oz 9lbs 12oz
We're using size 1 diapers for the girls, and the boy is using up what we still have in the newborn size. I'm very pleased since size 1 is the *cheapest* size of diapers. We still only change about twenty diapers a day.
The feeding amounts still fluctuate (as to how much they take) but we are currently offering the girls about 115 cc (3.8oz) per feed and the boy 95cc (3.2oz) per feed. We also add cereal to the formula to help combat the reflux.
On March 7, Michelle and I bought our first automobile together: a 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 4x4. It was a demo unit, we got a very good price, and an extremely long term loan from the credit union to pay for it. :-) It seats up to nine passengers, but we have moved the kids all to the second row so the third seat is not currently accessible (and will be coming out when I get around to it).
Michelle handles the kids all day by herself, and frequently has dinner on the stove when I walk in the door. Current feedings overnight are at 8pm, 2am and 8am. They vary a little from day to day, and they have even gone as long as eight hours! I know I'm looking forward to removing the 2am feed (which I currently am responsible for).
We've had some excellent outings already, with three visits to restaurants, and one trip to the mall. And thanks to some generous babysitting, we went to the Billy Joel concert last weekend, and have even spent the night away!
Michelle is taking an "Exploring Motherhood" (or something) class on Friday mornings, and gives the other moms some perspective when she comes in with all three kids (by herself, I might add).
In other news, I have submitted my resignation to Bell Atlantic, effective May 13. I have accepted a position at Gene Logic Inc. (GLGC) as a Senior System Administrator, starting May 22. They are located in Gaithersburg, and if I wait for all three traffic lights, it takes me ten minutes to get there.
In light of this news, please adjust your address books to use my permanent email address, which is chipp.kuldell@usa.net instead of whatever you're currently using.
I try to post new pictures to our website periodically, but haven't been keeping up very well. I plan to do some work on our website during my brief time off between jobs. Our website is still:
http://geocities.datacellar.net/heartland/ranch/7550
which is also in the "Favorite Links" section at:
http://www.kuldell.com
(thanks Randy)
I'm sure there's other things I've neglected to mention, like the new script I'm using to send out email. I use it to hide everyone else's email addresses (for privacy) and to make the list of addresses easier to maintain.
Talk to you soon, Chipp