Halloween 2010

The baby section in most stores is littered with "baby's first" paraphernalia. Is this the twins first Halloween? Does the Halloween in the hospital weighing under 3 pounds and intubated count? They were not allowed to wear clothes a year ago let alone a costume. I actually bought their costumes last year AFTER Halloween at a killer discount of course. I plan to get 2 years out of them. They were pumpkins! Very gender neutral costumes of course.
I took Alex to the "trunk or treat" my church was having and Nick stayed home with Lauren. Lauren is not at the point where she would get anything out of going. Besides, it would stress me out to keep watching to make sure she doesn't turn blue. Alex had never seen so many people in one place. He was very overstimulated. He just sat in his stroller, sucker in each hand, staring streight ahead. Did he enjoy it? I have no idea. I enjoyed people thinking that he was just like any other baby. He was born full term and didn't have to fight for his life. I liked people thinking he might actually put a sucker in his own mouth when in reality he just waves them around until there is enough dog hair stuck to them I throw it away. It felt good. It felt normal. Lauren, on the other hand, will put ANYTHING into her mouth. She LOVES the sucker. She gets lots of blue drool all over her face. I always need to remember to tell the nurses she just had a blue sucker and THAT'S why her lips are blue! She's has come along way. She has progressed more in the last 3 months being home than the rest of her life. She's gotten much better at head control. It's not perfect. But she's trying. She uses her right hand great. She LOVES her paci. Her left hand is another story. She does use it but it's not as purposeful. We know why. It's her stroke. It's affecting her left side. I'm waiting for a CP diagnosis. I know she'll get one. Of course I'm terrible with my left hand as well. The most important area of her progression is in her personality and her temper. When she first came home she would get mad and turn blue about once an hour. We CONSTANTLY had to turn up her oxygen. I can't remember a time when I last turned up her oxygen. She is also VERY smiley. I LOVE it. SHe has started doing this kissy thing where she will "blow kisses" at you. One of our night nurses has been working with her on this and she's finally got it! She now does this ALL the time because it is on of the few sounds a trached baby can make.