How many eye drops can one person need in a day...a lot!

Greetings!
The big news in the Lysne household this week was Elsa's eye surgery. It was a long day at the hospital but everything went smoothly and we are now in recovery mode. We have taken Elsa in two times for follow-ups with the doctor and will see him many more times in the month ahead. He has made a couple of adjustments to the eye drops that Elsa takes and Elsa is tolerating the whole experience quite nicely.

Elsa came home with a big patch on her eye after the surgery. When Jonas saw her, he had a real look of concern on his face and pointed at her. He was a real trooper and gave her several good hugs this week. We took the eye patch off the next morning and began the eye drop ritual. We have five different drops that we give her ranging from every other hour to once a day. Quite a production!

We will update again next weekend with some pictures of our most recent adventures.

God Bless,
Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Getting Muddy! Pumpkin Patch Part Two

Greetings!

Elsa and Jonas had a busy week. We took them to their NICU follow-up this week. This is the appointment where we sit in a room and different specialists cycle in and out to check for different developmental skills. Elsa and Jonas did great. While they didn't pass all the tests, they came in four to six months behind on a couple, they were champs and tried their best. It was interesting that they were scored on all the tests based on their December 12th birthday and there was no factoring in their four months premature arrival. While we know that when they are school age four months difference won't matter for different skills, we felt that this early on that is still a big gap in time. The great news out of all of this is that they qualify for more services that we can try out to see how they help Elsa and Jonas. The kids rocked overall.

Elsa and Jonas reteamed with their good friend Joshua to visit a pumpkin patch this week. The three December 12th birthday babes went together last year and it is becoming a tradition. They picked pumpkins, rode in wheelbarrows, and ate new foods (white raspberries--who knew?). Great times!

Elsa's first surgery is nearly here and we are nervous and excited for her. We pray for steady hands and quick recovery.

God Bless,

Dan & Jonas & Elsa & Mari

Future Lutes!

Greetings!

Elsa and Jonas took in their first Pacific Lutheran University Homecoming football game this past weekend. They had a great time and each got "future Lutes" buttons to wear proudly the rest of the day. They clapped and were kind of interested in the game. They were more interested in the activity that was all around them...people, cheering, clapping, food...it was a great time for them. Mari and Dan signed the alumni board and included Jonas and Elsa with graduation dates to be determined.

As you might have guessed by the pictures, Elsa and Jonas returned to their favorite pumpkin patch this year. The pumpkins and our pumpkins keep getting bigger but ours are closing the gap. They had a great time and plan on returning at least one more time this year!

Elsa and Jonas both got flu shots this past week and were champs. Elsa cried for a second or two and Jonas barely batted an eye. They are tough!

We have our big follow-up appointment this upcoming week with a variety of nurses and specialists. They will check on developmental progress for Elsa and Jonas. It will be a long appointment but it will be good to get an update on how they are both doing.

Go Lutes!

God Bless,

Mari & Jonas & Elsa & Dan

Lots of little miracles

Greetings!

It was with a heavy heart that we read the news of Children's hospital in Seattle losing two young babies due to accidents over the past several months. We didn't spend any time at Children's NICU but we know that the nurses and doctors in this type of work put on a strong face at work but would be crushed if they made a mistake at work. We are praying for the families and the staff at Children's Hospital.

This recent news made us think back on how many tiny miracles that happened along the way for Elsa and Jonas. We could attempt to recant them but just hit older posts for the litany:). We are so thankful and full of JOY that miracles happen...sometimes not how we expect them...sometimes not as big and as pronounced as we would like them...but that they happen.

Our week was actually quite a fun and exciting week. Lots of play with friends and families. A birthday celebration for Uncle Ron. A lot of fun for all! Words are starting to come more frequently and both kids are really experimenting with sounds!

God Bless,

Mari & Jonas & Elsa & Dan