We spend our first Halloween with a bunch of our NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) friends. Our NICU has a Halloween reunion every year. It was really cool because there were people of all ages there that graduated from the NICU when they were babies!

Dad tried taking us trick or treating so he could get some free candy, but mom wasn’t too keen on it. Maybe next year.

Boooooooooo!

The Shark (Quinn) and The Duck (Cooper)

So, mom and dad have been holding out on us. We’ve been bathing in the kitchen sink all this time, and they just now introduced the bathtub to us?! What’s up with that? Cooper and I had fun in the bath together – kicking and splashing. The first time he kicked and water hit my face, I got a little freaked out, but then I realized I can do it right back. This is the beginning of something good.

Mom told me that when she was little Uncle Dustin actually did #2 in the tub (when she was co-tubbing!), so I was actually just pleased that Cooper kept it all together despite the excitement.

Clean as a whistle,
Quinn

Today was a BIG day – good and bad.

Bad: We each got 2 shots today to prevent RSV (see previous blog post). The worst part is that mom told us that it was just an appetizer for the 5 regular shots and the flu shot we have to get tomorrow. :(

Good: Regina (our nanny pictured above) started today AND it was our half birthday. Mom is really excited to have an extra set of hands to help out before she goes to work in a couple weeks. Other good news that came out of today is that we are still growing SUPER fast. We are both almost 16 lbs!

While we didn’t have cake for our half birthday, mom had a shake in honor of us. Good thing we are still nursing from time to time – maybe we’ll get to enjoy that shake in a round-about way…

(Beware: Boring, but important blog post from mom)

Ok… call me mama bear, but in the interest of keeping my guys from getting a very serious virus called RSV, the doctors suggested I post this information for all family and friends to see.

RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and causes an infection in the lungs that can make some babies – particularly premature babies – very sick. Interestingly, it’s a very common virus and is usually carried between October and March. In older children/toddlers and adults, RSV simply causes a cold and cough; however, premature babies and those with lung disease (yes, Cooper and Quinn fall into both camps) are at high risk of getting sick with RSV, which involves being re-admitted to the hospital.

Yes, I’m pretty protective of my twinkies, but RSV is very serious and can also cause longer-term health issues, such as asthma, etc. While we’d love to put them in a bubble and keep them from every illness known to mankind, it’s important to continue to socialize them and help them build antibodies against other viruses/illnesses.

For RSV prevention, the boys are getting monthly shots of Synagis, an antibody which helps prevent against RSV and is made from mice cells (not to mention runs at $1800/shot – thank God for insurance!). The doctors gave us a list of rules we should abide by to help us stay RSV-free and suggested we share them with family and friends. So here we go (you’ll find that these are good rules for any baby, but particularly with preemies):

1. Wash hands with warm water and soap before touching the baby

2. Avoid being around the baby if you have a cold or fever

3. Be aware that kissing the baby can spread RSV infection. Hug your baby gently, or stroke your baby’s head instead

4. Try to keep other young children away from the baby

5. Do not smoke around the baby

6. Avoid crowded environments, when possible

Thanks so much for helping the boys stay healthy!

Regards,
Protective Patrol

If you’d like to know more about RSV and how to prevent it, click here.

So, we went to the GI specialist the other day, and they suggested that mom and dad spice my milk with a little rice cereal to keep me from spitting up so much. I guess the weight of it keeps it in my belly rather than on the burp cloth. Well, they obliged, and I gotta tell you, it was NIIIIIICE. The second I got my first swallow, my eyes rolled in the back of my head with delight. Who knew there was more to this world for my taste buds other than milk!

The only other exciting news from that Dr. appt was that we are both over 14 lbs. Ok, ok… so Cooper surpassed me for the first time in our history, but he cheated. He was BEGGING mom for milk right before we got weighed (sneaky rascal), so she gave him two ounces. And lo and behold, he weighed in at 14 lbs 6 oz and I was at 14 lbs 4 oz. So… he didn’t beat me fair and square. I’ll admit we may be tied, but he’s not heavier than moi. So, it’s on. We are both eating like champs (sometimes 7 oz at a time!), and continue to amaze our parents with how often we like to chow down (all day long).

Cereal rules!
Quinn