Hey, are you my twin?

Greetings!
A quick post for the weekend. Jonas and Elsa have started to notice each other more often these days. We wanted to share a fun video of Elsa sucking on Jonas's thumb and a video of Jonas fighting a dragon. Enjoy!
God Bless,
Dan & Mari & Elsa & Jonas

100 Posts!

Greetings.

I just realized that we reached one hundred posts. It has kind of snuck up on me. I took a trip down memory lane and looked at some of earlier posts and am really impressed with and thankful for our kids. They are quite tough! Currently, they are still practicing the motions for crawling and are getting ready to take off...

(Pictures: The family with Jenn and Joshua in La Conner; Jonas and his new hat; Mari and Elsa--Elsa was smiling but quit whenever a photo was taken; double wedges; Dan, Mari, Elsa, and Jonas in La Conner; Elsa talking; Jonas doing a knee slapping, toe grabbing, and back arching dance that reminded me a little bit of Chevy Chase in European Vacation)

God Bless,
Mari, Dan, Elsa, & Jonas

Jonas and Elsa say hi (in baby speak)

Greetings!

The fellows are at home right now while the ladies visit mary bridge for a quick check-up. All continues to go great for Elsa and Jonas. Both kids are continue to roll with more and more frequency. Actually, Elsa has taken the lead on this. She has moved forward several times now while attempting to crawl...she just needs to build up her arm muscles to hold her up a bit better. Jonas is not too far behind.

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

And the little mouse said, "Roll over...Roll over..."

Greetings.

Another week in the books and Elsa and Jonas are doing really great. Both kids have enjoyed the reprieve from the heat. Both have set personal records for daily volumes of milk over the past week as well.

We already wrote about the developmental check-up last week, but it has been really great to see how that appointment became a real catalyst for their rolling and movement. With the encouraging gentle push or rocking, Elsa and Jonas both now roll over and prop themselves up on their forearms. They mimic crawling motions but haven't yet taken off. We count this as a mixed blessing. While we want them to crawl, we haven't fully crawl-proofed the house:) Such a good problem to have!

Without further ado...some pictures and videos...(Jonas and Elsa--guess who is hamming it up for the pictures; double recliners; the world's largest stroller; Jonas and Mortimer the Moose; and finally Elsa looking around)

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Four month update...

Greetings.

Today was our four month appointment at Mary Bridge with Elsa and Jonas. We were a bit nervous about this appointment because we are never quite sure how long the day will be and how Jonas and Elsa will handle a day away from the comforts of home. I'll cut to the chase and just say that today went great. Both kids had some fussiness here and there but otherwise were true champs.

The appointments (we met with six or seven different people today) all take place in the same room. The different people we meet with cycle in and out when it is their turn. The day started off with big news. Elsa weighs in at 10 pounds 5 ounces and Jonas weighs in at 12 pounds 5 ounces. Both are double digits!

The occupational therapist worked with both kids for a bit to see how they were doing developmentally. She was impressed with their overall strength during tummy time. Both kids were rolling over and tracking objects quite nicely. She gave us some activities to do with them to get them ready for their 8 month check-up.

A Nicu nurse from our stay stopped by and was very impressed with Elsa and Jonas. It was good to see her reaction--she met them when they were both really small.

The summary of the other visitors was that both kids are doing very well developmentally. They are small for their adjusted age but strong willed. Alas, we did find out that the butt crawl that Jonas does is really counter productive to learning to crawl...he won't be happy to find this out. Also, we have to cut back on his jumping...his legs are too buff!

We couldn't be more blessed and more proud of our babies. Seeing our Nicu nurse reminded us of our stay and that many families weren't so fortunate--we cherish every day.

Pictures: Elsa after her first roll, Elsa blowing bubbles, and Jonas and Elsa playing

God Bless,

Mari & Elsa & Dan & Jonas