The biggest gainer...

Greetings!

We had such a wonderful Easter relaxing and rejoicing last week. This week we were back into the routine of doctors' appointments. We met with the GI specialist again. Last time he felt strongly that Elsa was not a candidate for a g-tube to supplement her feeding. Based on her weight gain for the past month though he has decided that a g-tube might be the way to go. We are taking the month of April to see if Elsa can get her weight gain in to the rate of 12 to 18 ounces per month. This was a bit of disappointing news but we are hopeful that whatever outcome that Elsa gets stronger and stronger. A g-tube is typically placed in the stomach and stays in for one to five years. It is rather razzle dazzle and doesn't interfere with her normal eating, it is just a way to supplement the extra calories she needs during the night.

That being said...We are realistic but ever hopeful that Elsa is going to kick it up a notch this month. In past weeks and months, Elsa typically was eating 600-650 (1ml = 1 calorie) ml of milk each day with some solid foods. We attributed the low numbers to her slow stomach emptying and the never ending teething she had been enduring. Last week her top front teeth emerged quite a bit and she has been a different kiddo eating. She crested the 700 mark at the start of the week and broke through to the 850 mark yesterday. She should be hitting 850 each day between a combination of her milk and solid foods. Needless to say we want to be realistic that if she isn't gaining the weight she needs then we need to seriously consider the g-tube. But we are ever so hopeful that the visit with the GI doctor sparked a ravenous hunger in her. As fans of the biggest loser on television, we hope that when she goes on the scale next month that she is the biggest gainer!

We are praying for Elsa to eat and eat and eat.

God Bless,

Dan & Mari & Elsa & Jonas

Rejoice! Happy Easter!

Greetings!

We celebrated our first Easter at home as a family. It was quite a special day. Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Paul joined us for a feast in celebration of Easter.

Jonas and Elsa were dressed up in their finest and had a blast. Elsa has started giving the 'stink eye' to everyone, including mom and dad, when she is irritated. She practiced this several times today:). She is also clapping her hands when we sing "if you are happy and you know it...". The video catches a moment or two of them clapping--it isn't the best--they are a bit camera shy:)

Jonas and Elsa are also practicing walking behind a toy cart. They started taking tenative steps behind it on Friday and are now whizzing through the room behind it. It won't be long....

It was a special Easter and we have much to be thankful for.

He is not here, but has risen! Luke 24:5.

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Zoo!

Greetings!

We just returned from the zoo...(and a physical therapy meeting that ended with us getting two thumbs up from the therapist). Jonas and Elsa seemed to have a good time and saw lots of creatures big and small! The rain eventually got to us and we called it an afternoon after visiting the aquarium, elephants, porcupines, and several other animals and fish. Great times!

Today is also one year based on due date. Happy Birthday Jonas and Elsa! Let's eat some cake!

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Tulips and the twins

Greetings!

What a fun week. The kids took a trip to Van Lierop's Tulip farm in the puyallup valley. The kids were great! They saw lots of cool flowers, went out for a bite to eat for the first time in a restaurant, and an elderly gentleman they met at the cafe whistled them a tune. Talk about a five star day!

Jonas and Elsa also spent a day playing with some of their cousins. The day at the lake was fun and they slept well that night!

Dan is on Spring Break this upcoming week and we are planning out the week. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather is nice enough for our first ever family outing to the ZOO! Expect some good pictures!

We did have a trip to the doctor on Thursday that went well. We were a bit worried that they may be having a difficult time breathing and were fortunate to be able to get an appointment the same day. Away we went to see the doctor...and the doctor said they sounded good. They might have been at the tail end of a cold and were working some stuff through but otherwise they are in great health. The walk watch continues and several teeth were spotted making their appearance...

Happy Spring & God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Daffodil Princess and Prince

Greetings!

Spring is here, spring is here! I remember quite fondly the last snow flurry of last year that happened around the first day of spring. We were watching it snow like crazy from the window of the ICN overlooking the park. We were so close to coming home and the last snow reminded me of our two early arrivals' first day. This year we haven't had too much snow...although we did have a random flurry for five minutes a couple of weeks ago...but rather an early spring. It has been great to have some sunny warm-ish days to get the kids out into the big world!

Our local community has a "daffodil princess" contest every year so we thought we would have our own coronation in our front yard of our two winners. See the pictures for more.

Elsa has become a pro peek-a-boo player. She loves to play the game whenever she has a blanket in her hands. We caught a game on video.

Jonas has been perfecting his throwing. You name it and he can throw it: plastic balls; books; cheerios; clothes; diapers...yep he has got a good arm(s).

Happy Spring!

God Bless,

Dan & Jonas & Mari & Elsa

Great Grandma Mabel!

Greetings! What a treat we had this week. Great Grandma Mabel visited with us from Two Harbors, Minnesota! Mabel is also a twin so we were really excited for the twins to meet her in person. Elsa and Jonas had a great time being held by Grandma. It was a special week and one we already treasure!

Elsa had a feeding evaluation this past week and did very well. While she is still a little behind in terms of the foods she eats, the specialist thought she was doing very well and was on her own learning curve. We've discovered that both kids love Parmesan cheese. Their cousin Annika is a big fan of it from her younger days and so we were delighted to see the family trend continue.

Both kids are teething. Their faces are red; their noses are running; their gums are swollen; and well...the nights are eventful! Jonas seems to be the hardest hit--he has had some long nights this past week as he tries to get comfortable.

The walk-watch continues...both kids are occasionally diving forward as if they meant to put their feet out in front of them but just forgot that part of the action. Elsa tries to stand directly from a cross-legged sitting position. We think she is trying to score more points on the difficulty scale.

And with that we wish everyone a great week ahead! God bless and thanks for checking up on Elsa and Jonas!

God Bless,

Mari & Elsa & Dan & Jonas

Learning to walk is difficult when...

...your brother tackles you. See the video below.

Greetings!

Elsa and Jonas continue to practice standing and taking supported steps. It has been great to see them be so excited about learning this new skill. They are still figuring out balance but they are making great progress.

We had meeting with the dietitian this week and left with the same instructions to get them both to eat more. We keep trying but we are also so thankful that they are both so strong and energetic and getting the nutrition they need to keep growing..albeit at a slower than desired rate:).

With such wonderful weather, we have been out on many walks and Elsa and Jonas have seen lots of great things to look at. We can't hardly wait for our spring break in three weeks to have some serious play time.

God Bless!

Dan & Jonas & Elsa & Mari