July 18- The pediatrician

Today the entire family took a trip to the medical center. Michael went for x-rays of his ankle, while the babies went to the pediatrician for their 4 month check up. First off, Michael's ankle is not so good, and he's supposed to see an orthopedic surgeon now. On a happier note, the check up went really well for Ella and Sterling. Ella has met her "genetic potential." In other words, she is now the size she was made to be, had she not been a 36 week gestation twin. She's measuring in the 50th percentile in everything. Which is really incredible when you consider they were both in the 5th percentile when they were born! She weighs 12lb.8oz. and is 23in. long. Sterling is also amazing us with his growth. His head circumference is in the 60th percentile, but his weight/height are still in the 25 percentile. So, he's still under the influence of his "environmental potential." But, the doctor explained that with babies, their head grows right before a growth spurt, so since his head has jumped up to the 60th percentile, we can assume he's about to start taking off. Today he weighed 12lb.1oz., and was 24.5in. long. We'll go back in a month just to have Sterling re-measured, so we can see his progress. Ella on the other hand will not go back to the doctor until their 6 month check up. I am just so proud of their growth! I can't believe these big babies are the same little 5lb.8oz., and 5lb.11oz. babies we had back in March.

We really liked the doctor we saw today, and spent about an hour with him. He was very thorough, and intelligent. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for the babies, we spent so much time in with the doctor, that the immunizations room had closed for the day by the time we got out of our appointment. So, Ella and Sterling managed to avoid their 4 month shots for now. We'll have to find another day when Michael can drive us over to Camp Walker to get their shots.

I have to say, Michael having a broken ankle is really giving me a work out. Since we live on the 5th floor, neither one of us thought it would be a good idea for him to try to carry a baby up or down the stairs, while on crutches. So, first Michael went down the stairs and got the car started, then I brought him one baby, and left the other one up in the apartment. Then, while he was strapping the first baby into their car seat, I went back upstairs for the second baby. Then reverse that and do it all over again when we get home. So, my legs are really getting a work out with all this stair climbing! Who needs a gym when you have a husband with a broken ankle?

(Oh, and for all the grandparents who are having heart attacks right now, don't worry, the baby that was left up stairs while I was carrying the first one down, was safe and secure in their crib, with the door to our apartment locked. Hey- it was the best solution we could come up with!)