Ashlyn's update

Ashlyn has been doing very well the past few weeks and seems to have turned a corner with respect to her eating. We are officially no longer using the g-tube for feeds and she is gulping down all of her bottles (without aspirating!). She is not exactly excited about eating solids yet, but we are working on finding a combination of foods that she likes. So far, bananas seem to be the key ingredient. She weighed 5.85 kg (about 13 pounds, 3 ounces) at her last weigh-in and she has passed both her recent vision and hearing screenings. She still is delayed with her gross motor skills, but she is progressing so nicely that I am not concerned at this point. She is such a happy baby and is quick to give out the big belly laughs that we love to hear. She has an appointment later this week to see if there is any change to her paralyzed left vocal chord, but her sounds have not made any improvement, so I am not overly hopeful that there is any recovery. She is a great sleeper, just like her big sister, and has no problems sleeping 10 hours at night.

Feet

Ashlyn discovered that she has feet this week. It is the first developmental milestone that she has achieved before her brother, so I am thrilled for her!

Whose tongue is bigger?

Two heads are better than one

One day they will be conspiring against me, but for now they are just happy to play together. They are starting to really become interested in each other and will reach out for the other when playing on the floor.

Stares

I am starting to find it quite funny that people think we are such a spectacle when we go out in public. Whether I am alone with the 3 kids or I have Johnny with me, it never ceases to amaze me how many people stare at us, do double takes or whisper (not so quietly) amongst themselves about our family. We get a lot of smiles and many people come up and talk to us about the kids. People are always amazed that we get out of the house with 3 small children in tow. I have heard the phrase "Wow, you have a handful!" so many times in the past month.

Ashlyn's giggles

Praising Ashlyn for rolling over by herself...even though it wasn't caught on video. She was pretty proud of herself!

Caelan's First Roll

Caught on tape!