Thursday, January 7, 2010

Synagis Shot and Girls Growing!!

We went to the doctor's office today for the girls to get a synagis shot. Very few people we've talked to have even heard of this shot, so if you're interested go to http://www.synagis.com/faq.aspx. This shot gives them antibodies to help them through the RSV season (through April). They each get a shot once a month and each shot costs $1,700 (thank goodness for insurance!) Insurance companies don't usually cover the cost of this shot, but because the girls were born so early, studies have shown the cost of the shot is cost effective as the girls will likely be in the hospital if they get RSV. RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and is passed like a common cold, but it can be deadly to babies.

The fun news at the doctors office was their weight gain. We were pleased to see that Annie weighed 11 pounds 3 ounces, Ruthie 11 pounds 4 ounces, and Gracie 10 pounds 3 ounces!! We were surprised as that was a full pound more than we thought they would weigh. The doctor asked with a smile on his face, "What are you feeding those girls?!"

As for length gain, Annie measured 22 inches, Ruthie 22.25 inches, and Gracie 20.5 inches.

Their growth charts are amazing to see. They start out obviously much lower than babies born in September since they were so early, but they growth line looks almost vertical as they are quickly catching up to common growth patterns.

Gracie is on oxygen, but she is needing it less and less. Annie and Ruthie have been off of oxygen for about three weeks. All three girls are on the monitors as they need to show consistent breathing (no breaks as was common when they were in the hospital) and consistent heart rate (no drops as was also common in the hospital) for two months.

Gracie, Ruthie, Annie

Gracie, Ruthie, Annie

8 comments:

  1. So cute, guys! I can't believe the 3Bs are getting so big. I glad to see you're hanging in there and doing so great! Keep up your amazing parenting!

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  2. I was reading your stats and it occurred to me that you can actually tell your girls that they're 1 in a million. :)

    Glad they're make sure great progress!

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  3. I just want to squeeze their cute little cheeks! Glad to hear details about how well they are doing!

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  4. Hi Ann-Marie!! Happy New Year! It's so wonderful to see your beautiful family. I got tears in my eyes as I saw the picture of your whole family ;D I just love you guys so much! David looks so much like Adam. Ellis's little smile reminds me so much of Ryan. Everyone looks great.

    The ones of the girls in the stockings reminds me of Channa. She was 2 months early-ya know. They brought her home right before Christmas and put her in a shoe box all wrapped and then put it under the Christmas tree. She weighed 3 lbs.

    I love you so much, Girl! You're amazing. Hope all is well and just know that I am thinkin of ya'll

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  5. What great stats! Love to hear the growth of these three!

    I didn't notice any bows--are they just on the other side of their heads or can you tell them apart and don't need the bows anymore? They sure are cuties!!!

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  6. Zounds. Your children are getting heavy fast.

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  7. So thrilled to read that everyone is doing so well!

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