Week 27

During Fisher's 27th week, we visited the pediatrician for his 6 month check-up. He weighed in at 14 pounds, 7 ounces (3rd %), was 24.5 inches long(<3rd %), and had a head circumference of 17 inches (25th %). If we use the same numbers for his adjusted age of 4 months, he is in the 29th %, 20th %, and 64 %, respectively. So, he is still quite small but is at least on the growth curve for his chronological age of 6 months. Oh, and apparently, he has a big noggin!

At our doctor visit, Fisher was the lucky recipient of 4 vaccinations, including the RSV vaccine that comes in a series of 5 monthly shots. Using his prematurity as the main qualifier, we had to get special approval from our insurance company in order for them to cover the very expensive vaccine (think several thousand dollars!!!). Hayes also accompanied us to the doctor and got two vaccinations. We let the nurse prep him a tiny bit by telling him she was going to pinch his legs very quickly and then he could have a prize from the treasure chest. That bribery and distraction worked wonders---the little guy didn't make a peep and took the shots like a champ!!! I was so proud of him! Next, I'll have to get him into my dental chair to fix that tooth...



Fisher has begun to reach for things (albeit clumsily) and once he grasps the intended object, uses both hands to bring it to his mouth. Here he is about to taste his first leaf:

Hayes actually genuinely helped Kyle do some raking. Too bad he won't always enjoy helping! Here they proudly sit in front of one of the huge piles they created:

About to taste the leaves again:

Saturday, we ventured to UConn for a children's book fair. Here is Fisher modelling the hedgehog attire that Hayes once wore and that was a gift from Gillian, Casey, and Lilah:

We told Hayes that Clifford the Big Red Dog was going to be there. He was thrilled and excitedly followed the big red paw prints through the building to the book fair:


Once inside, he was not so thrilled. In fact, he was half laughing, half crying when Clifford came over to say hello. He was literally shaking with fear when Kyle picked him up to give Clifford a high five. There were a few other characters in costume there that made Hayes cry hysterically when they ventured near. Note to selves---don't waste any money on a trip to Disney World until both boys actually want to see the Disney characters.

This weekend was what we believe will be the last that we can comfortable enjoy outside until spring arrives. Here we are reading one of Hayes' new books:

The ever present Anya supervises tummy time:

Self-portrait--doesn't Fisher look like he's a model striking a pose for the camera?

My little stinker:

Since it's gotten down into the 30's at night, we've broken out the cozy sleepwear. Kyle and I are both jealous and wish we had our own fleece sleep sack!

Ha!! Kyle is going to kill me for including this, but I can't resist! The lesson of this story is that Kyle is very comfortable in his masculinity. Not only does he drive a minivan, he also takes his lunch to work (on a college campus, mind you...) in this lunch box occasionally:

If you look close (or just look at the next photo), you'll see what I was given when Fisher was in the hospital as a means of transport of breastmilk from home to the NICU. Kyle actually takes this thing to work!!! He says he only does it when he forgets his other lunch box, but hey, wouldn't you rather carry your lunch in a plastic bag than this thing??? Let the teasing begin...