18th month check up and dudes' weekend

The boys had their 18th month check up on Friday and with the exception of flu shots, they are done with shots until they're 4! Yay! Next time we go in, Jasper will be on the big boy scale for sure. He was 29 pounds and the scale goes up to 30. I'm sure Jacob will to as he is just a little below him.

The poor dudes knew exactly what the examination table was used for and freaked every time they had to get on it. They only needed one shot and it wasn't too bad. It's still hard holding them still while they get pricked. I held Jasper who looked me in the eye with horror. Joy had Jacob who tried to flip over and crawl away.

The nurse we had was really nice. She gave them little books which they loved. She stuck around afterwards to wave goodbye which I think was very helpful. When we got home they took a nap.

Joy had to work with her cookie business all weekend, so it was mostly just me and boys. I worked on words with the boys. Explaining what everything is. I got several books from library that we read and they looked through.

We played a lot of ball, listened to music, ran around, and played with toys. They loved trying to pull the lights off the Christmas tree and almost making it fall. Tonight, i took the lights off the bottom of the tree. So we have a half decorated tree.

It was a great weekend. Really nice to spend some one on two time. Though, I wish Joy could have been with us.


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15 month check up and week

Last Friday, the boys had their 15-month check up and more shots. This time, the boys remembered the table and we're not happy at all to go near it.

We set them both on the table to change their diapers and they flipped. We thought maybe if we tried to get them used to it they wouldn't freak when the shots came. Didn't help.

When it was time for the shots, two nurses bursted through the doors and wanted to get both done at the same time. Joy held Jacob and I held Jasper. The nurses were in and out in a flash but the boys were pretty upset about the shots.

After we got home, the boys took a good nap.

Sunday, we dropped the boys off at my parents house for them to baby sit. Joy and I went on a bike ride.

The boys had a good time at grandma and grandpa's house. They played on the swings, walked around. I believe Jasper helped grandpa pull weeds from the garden.

When we got back, Jacob was sitting next to my dad on the couch, eating a crunchy, and watching a baseball game. Jasper was playing around, opening up drawers and closing them.

The boys had been pretty sluggish for the rest of the week. We're not sure if it's the shots, teeth, or just not feeling good.

I've been doing pretty good at keeping the nightly ritual down. The boys brush their teeth, I read a story, and then bedtime.

One really cute thing they've been doing is waving when it's bedtime. I'll get bottles and "Jasper and Jacob! Bedtime" and they'll turn to Joy and start waving. It's really cute.


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Nine Month Doctor Visit

This week, the boys had their nine-month check-up. I still can't believe they're nine-months old now! But anyway, we thought this would be a shot-free visit. Joy read somewhere that they wouldn't get another shot until their one-year check up.

So we got them put in their snow suits for the trip to doctor. I think we knew they were gonna get shots, we would have put them in warm clothes and blanketed them good.

The boys did really well at the doctor. Jacob took everything like a champ. Jasper did really good too but he got fed up with the doctor picking and poking after awhile.

Jasper now weighs 20.75 pounds and Jacob weighs 20.25 pounds. They're both 2 feet tall.

The doctor asked if we had any questions and since we didn't get a second dose of flu shot, I asked about it. The doctor said they would get that shot today along with a hemp shot and get their fingers pricked for lead tests.

Neither boys cried when they got their fingers pricked which surprised me. I had to look the other way because I can't stand that kind of stuff.

Both boys cried during the shots but not too bad. Even putting the snow suits wasn't as bad I thought.

They both passed out on the ride home. Jacob stayed asleep in his snow suit after we got home. Jasper woke up when I tried to take his off.

In other news, Jasper first top tooth came out. We're still waiting on Jacob's.

Jacob's new thing is to stand without holding onto anything. I really think it'll be a matter of no time till he starts walking.

Six Month vaccines

This time I had a whole new approach. I thought we were lucky last time after they got their shots. They quickly passed out for most of the day. I went ahead played around the house, thinking the boys are not affected by the vaccines. Then came bed time for Joy and the boys screamed! Apparently, the shots did affect them and they were none too pleased. I then wished I had napped or rested during the day.

So after we got the shots, they fell asleep on the ride home. So I headed off to bed shortly after we got home. Joy pumped and then joined me. Even though, I didn't fall asleep I was resting in case I don't get any sleep later.

Jasper work up shortly after Joy joined. He drank a bottle and fell back asleep. Joy tried to move him back to his crib but woke up. A little later Jacob woke up. He got a bottle and then fell back asleep. Jasper followed.

I got a couple hours asleep and then comforted Jacob till he fell back asleep. I then comforted Jasper till we both fell asleep on the couch watching The Last Man on Earth.

The main difference at the actual event of getting the shots was that I think they knew it was coming when they got the liquid part. The nurse gave it to them and they both freaked. They're weren't too happy about getting pricked. However, after they got their clothes on and we were checking out they were both falling asleep.

I'm very proud of my boys! They did really great. I don't like getting pricked either but if I were their size and that size of a needle came at me, I would be scared too!

It's really cute when they're clingy and want to be held afterwords. It's kind of like they're saying "make it all better, daddy!"

Some thoughts on vaccinating

I believe it is important to get your children vaccinated. I personally don't buy the theory that vaccines are linked to autism. Many studies have been done to prove that there is no link. With that evidence, I would not risk either of my children's health.

I found an interesting article on CNN regarding the studies and some history of the Wakefield studies:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/07/p.autism.vaccine.debate/index.html

Getting vaccines are no fun. It is really hard watching your child getting pricked with needles. A nurse at our last appointment informed us that one of the shot burns. I do wish there was a easy way for vaccines to be given. You would think that they could come up with some painless way to give vaccines. Luckily for us, the pains and crying only seemed to last about a day. I know some babies get fevers. We've been lucky so far, knock on wood! But still would never risk my children getting sick with polio or any of the other countless diseases if it can be prevented.

That being said, I found another interested article/radio story from
NPR. It talks about the newer vaccines added for chicken pox and whooping cough.

I was really surprised when Joy told me they have a vaccine for chicken pox. I remember hearing stories about parents sending their kids to play with other kids with chicken box in order to get it out of the way when they are young.

The article talks about how these new vaccines might not be as effective and even need booster shots:

http://m.npr.org/story/130433634

This article shows that the vaccines might not be flawless. I love the idea that my boys might not get chicken pox. Possibly more research needs to be done on this.

In the long run, I'm happy my boys are vaccinated. I'm happy they're safe.