Heat wave

Greetings.

We are trying to keep cool in the 100+ temperatures we have had the past few days. Elsa is not a fan of the heat! Jonas is very content and doesn't seem to mind.

We have a four-month developmental check-up coming up next week. About a week ago, the hospital sent out a check list of things our babies should be able to do. The list was entitled "8 month check-up" and left us a little confused...our babies are 8 months old but only 4 months adjusted age. After a quick run down the list, we were worried that Elsa and Jonas were not going to be passing too many of the tests. Luckily, we found out during a home visit this week, that it was just an error and that we should have received the 4 month check list. During the home visit, our case worker kept reassuring us that both kids looked like they were doing a lot of developmentally appropriate behaviors. What a blessing these two kiddos are.

Picture: Elsa looking at Dad and Jonas looking at Mom during a recent photo shoot on the kitchen floor; Elsa and her half roll (Jonas is joyfully screaming support); Jonas talking about politics, sports, and the food network.

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Two baby stories

Greetings.

As we enjoy the heat-wave inside our semi-cool home, Jonas and Elsa have been entertaining us.

Jonas has taken to pushing himself around the house on his back. It is quite comical and stealthy. One minute he is on the ground on a quilt the next minute he is licking the table leg and is hiding under the living room table.

Elsa isn't motoring yet, although she loves to practice by waving her legs and arms, but she enjoys watching Jonas take off. Her story centers on her amazing ability to sleep. Two nights ago, Elsa was sitting on my lap. She had been playing with me and seemed quite content. Then, out of nowhere, she lets out a huge cry, stops, and then immediately falls asleep. We think she had been fighting off a nap and then out of frustration screamed and gave in.

This morning the oxygen tank that dominated our living room is gone. We appreciated it but we don't need it anymore. Way to go kiddos!

Pictures: Elsa smiling while Dad sings; Tummy time; Jonas under the table x2; our nature walk this morning; the oxygen tank.

God Bless,

Mari & Jonas & Dan & Elsa

Say goodbye to nasal cannula

Greetings.

We just returned from a doctor's appointment to determine if Jonas needed to continue with his nasal cannula. The great news is that Jonas received the green light to go without the oxygen tank! This has been a long time coming. Today is the first day ever that Jonas doesn't need supplemental oxygen!

Both kids met with the dietician to review their growth. Both kids continue to gain weight. We will teak both of their formulas a bit to see if we can plump them up even more:).

God Bless,

Dan & Mari & Elsa & Jonas

Things I love...

I have been keeping a mental list of the things I love about my babies at this age (3 and 1/2 months adjusted age). I'm sure I will forget some, but here's a start

-from time to time they smile in their sleep

-baby proportions are funny--when they stretch their arms up above their heads, their hands barely clear the tops of their heads. It makes me laugh every time.

-they consistently smile at their mom and dad and seem to enjoy our efforts to entertain them

-they are easily entertained--if I am feeding one, a hand or a foot moving around can do the job of fascinating the other one for a good five minutes

-they are starting to pay more attention to each other which is so fun to watch

-when they are close to one another, usually all arms and legs are going crazy and if they are close enough there is kicking happening, but it doesn't upset them, they are just communicating by kicking each other--this also cracks me up.

-if they are fussy, taking them for a walk outside puts them right to sleep

-they love to snuggle

-they love it when we sing to them and read to them

-they are starting to sleep for a little longer stretches at night--yes!

-they are just pretty great to be around!

We go to the doctor tomorrow for another test of Jonas's lungs. We are very hopeful that we might get the word that he will no longer need his oxygen. Jonas would be very thankful for not having the nasal cannula anymore as well as he has become very skilled at pulling it off. At least 20 times a day we find it off of one side of his face, usually he is still grasping the tubing and he has a sheepish look on his face. Both babies will also see the dietitian. We are hoping their growth has been good--we are sure pleased with it!

Pictures: cousin Annika with Elsa, cousin Kaelen with Jonas, hot times hanging out, Jonas checking out Elsa, five minutes later both taking a nap and holding hands, Elsa smiling at Dad, funny faces, our Minnesota girl

God bless,

Mari, Dan, Elsa and Jonas

Lysne Allstars

Greetings.

Jonas and Elsa were voted to the Lysne Family All star team. Their selection was based on their stellar job going to the doctor on Monday. We noticed that Elsa had a little more frequent cough than normal and that Jonas had a rash. Knowing that doctor's visits can sometimes take the better part of six hours, we steadied ourselves for a long day. However, Jonas and Elsa were champs. Not only was the visit short, Jonas and Elsa were very positive and happy the entire time. They made our day! (The doctor did too--Elsa's cough was most likely a little reflux, her lungs sounded good; Jonas's rash was heat related and will resolve on its own).

Jonas and Elsa have taken quite an interest into the whole eating phenomena. They, especially Jonas, watch with fascination as we eat a bowl of cereal or a plate of spaghetti. We think they are really going to like eating!

Pictures: (Grandma Jeanne, Mari, Elsa, Jonas; Grandpa Paul & Jonas; Jonas and Elsa in their All star Jerseys; Elsa taking up the whole couch; Jonas and his glass-stealing trick; Grandpa Harold and Jonas; Grandpa Harold and Elsa)

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Outgrowing clothes

Greetings.

Jonas and Elsa had another great week. They are both very interactive and entertaining with us. It is really sweet that they both give us big broad grins and semi-laughs when they see us. They have also taken to trying to eat our knuckles when we play with them...they have, so far, been unsuccessful at this endeavor.

We did not have any appointments this week but we still managed to make the time fly by. Both kids seem to be eating a bit better every couple of days. We haven't weighed them in recently but they have started to outgrow several of their very cute outfits.

The local paper, Tacoma News Tribune, had an article this week on the volunteer baby rockers that help out with rocking babies (including Jonas and Elsa countless times). The article profiles a family that were our neighbors for several months in the NICU and ICN. In the picture in the article, Jonas and Elsa's old beds are in the background. To read the story: http://www.thenewstribune.com/topstory/story/802809.html

Pictures: (attempts at self-portraits after the three of us took a nap on the floor; sequence of shots--Jonas attempting to hit Elsa, Elsa grappling with Jonas, and Elsa eating Jonas's hand)

God Bless,

Mari & Jonas & Elsa & Dan

Fourth of July

Greetings.

Jonas and Elsa celebrated the 4th of July in patriotic style yesterday (see photos for proof:). This was our first family outing since...well...actually it was our first non-doctor appointment family outing. Quite a day! We went to see Grandpa Paul and Grandma Jeanne at Lake Lawrence. Both kids took a bit to get used to being in a different house. They have both been either in our living room or in their crib for the past two months. Once acclimated, Elsa and Jonas had a great time.

We added a few videos that show the twins in action, Jonas in the morning, and Elsa in the morning. (Elsa hits her stride afternoon).

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Smiles, finger grasping, and talking*

Greetings.

We have made it through a week with out a single doctor's appointment. (I hope I didn't just jinx us). It has been a really fun week with Jonas and Elsa. They have been really active during the day (and the occasional night) entertaining us in lots of different ways.

Elsa had a big week because she had a formula change. With her reflux, the doctors and nutritionists had been thinking about different formulas that might work better for her. Since the change last week, she has been eating a bit more and seems to be enjoying eating a lot more.

She is really starting to make some noise too! She is cooing and making an assortment of other pre-talking sounds when we play with her. She beams like a light when she makes a particularly loud sound. She also has big smiles for us when we sing to her.

Jonas had a good strong week as well. He had a small dosage of medicine he has been taking as a precaution for some redness on an incision line. Giving him that medicine is a labor of love because he uses every ounce, pound, and kilogram of his body to make us spill it before it hits his lips. I appreciate the enthusiasm.

He is mister giggles around the house. If you lock eyes with him for even a moment he will give you a broad smile and his glimmering (insert whatever color you think his eyes might be--we still don't know...I am leaning towards Norwegian Hazel) eyes will flicker with joy. He has started to make some pre-talking sounds as well. He is leading the baby charge into putting everything into their mouths. He currently likes to grab a finger and then chomp on it for a bit while smiling.

We have loved the sunny weather this past week and have gotten a lot of use out of our baby bjorns. A neat perk of the walk is that it instantly puts them both to sleep!

Photos: Elsa striking a pose in the chair, Jonas holding his bottle (both are doing this from time to time now), Grandma Lysne and Elsa, Elsa in mid-smile, Jonas smiling, and Jonas and Mari dancing.

Thanks for the supportive comments and emails. We greatly appreciate them.

God Bless,

Mari & Jonas & Elsa & Dan