Update and New Pics

The boys are doing great this week. We're on a steady 3-4 hour schedule and there have even been a few nights where they've slept 5+ hours. The boys we evaluated for early-intervention development services on Wednesday and they passed with flying colors. They are 3 months old and were rated as 2-4 months in every category. All of their actions are appropriate, especially since they are only 3+ weeks corrected. With all of that being said, they did not qualify for any services. The visiting nurse had to cancel today due to weather but we're confident the boys have continued to grow. My guess is that Austin is 8 1/2+ lbs. and Chase is 7 1/2+ lbs. Here are few pictures from the week!

Update & New Pictures

Hi everyone. I'm so sorry I didn't write earlier. Some of you have been concerned about all their appointments last week and I didn't mean to keep you in the dark. The "snip, snip" on Monday was a great success. The Couture boys will now look like all their buddies in the locker room. The eye exams on Wednesday were also a success. The boys' eyes were labeled for the first time as "mature." This means we don't have to go back for another six months. Phew!

The boys are gaining a little more than an ounce a day at this point. Austin is nearly 8 lbs. and Chase nearly 7 lbs. With nine feedings a piece everyday, my arms are sore from holding them. We've got them sleeping four hours at a time at night and two to three during the day. If it's possible, we actually think they keep getting cuter! Ahhh, the bias of a parent is wonderful.

Go Pats!

It's Super Bowl Sunday and the boys (Chase - left, Austin - right) are resting up for the game. We're enjoying a quiet Sunday together in preparation for a week of excitement. Tomorrow is the boys official due date and to celebrate...drum roll...they're getting circumcized! Now what could be more exciting than that? I'm hoping I can get updated weights and lenghths tomorrow so we know exactly what they were on their original due date. As of this past Friday, Austin was 6 lbs. 12 oz. and Chase was 5 lbs. 12 oz.

The circumcision is tomorrow in Nashua and on Wednesday, we head back out to Lebanon for a repeat eye exam. Let's hope this one goes smoothly and that everyone keeps breathing. For those of you who hadn't heard, the last eye exam landed Austin back in the NICU for a night of observation because he had an apnea during the exam. Dan and I had to stay in the Birthing Pavilion with Chase. Needless to say, I'll never go to Lebanon again without a change of clothes in the car! It's really quite common for babies this age to experience apnea during the eye exam because it puts pressure on their vagus nerve (which makes you pass out). A metal speculum is used to hold their eyes open while the doctor takes several minutes to look inside each eye. The boys scream bloody murder the whole time and they come home with extremely bloodshot eyes. But, they're several weeks older now and we're hoping the fourth time is a charm. All we need the doctor to say is that their eyes are "mature" and then they're done. The only good part of Wednesday is that we get to stop by the NICU to visit some of our friends.

So, we're all ready to cheer the Pats to victory. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend. I'll write more later this week with an update on eyes.