Kangaroo time

We love holding all of our kiddos. Derek is a big snuggler. Will and Nate love the snuggles too. Each evening, we hold them kangaroo style- which is skin to skin contact. The boys do not like the transitions either way but settle quickly in. When Mike and I are both there, they have a double recliner so we can sit side by side (each holding a boy). MIke has been sick the last 2 nights so I have held both boys by myself. It was the first time the boys could snuggle each other since they were born.

Please pray for Mike to get better quickly so he can hold his boys. His mind knows it is best to stay home but the heart hurts. Please continue to pray for Derek with all the transitions in his life. Mike's mom is leaving this morning and my mom is coming back this evening. Please continue to praise God for how well all 3 boys are doing. The little guys need to add fat, continue to work on their breathing, and keep getting bigger. They really are doing great. Derek has a bit of a runny nose but is doing fine. We are so thankful for our boys!

Babies in clothes!

Will and Nate got to wear clothes for the first time. We still have not brought our bountiful supply (thanks to Germa and Granny) to the hospital yet. The NICU has a large supply too. Will was in trucks and Nate had animals on his outfit. The outfits were preemie/newborn size and were huge on them. It was adorable: the sleeves were rolled up to fit. It is a big milestone that they are ready to wear clothes. Good job boys!

DADDY?!

Derek was playing on his slide the other day. Mike came over to watch him. Much to Derek's surprise, Mike went down the slide. Of course Derek screamed and giggled (probably because Mike didn't get stuck). So Mike went down again. This time Derek jumped on Mike's calves and then on his back and went down. This went on and on. Then Mike grabbed Derek's ankles and went down after him. It was a riot to watch. We all had lots of fun!

Soccer Park

Derek, Germa (my mom), and I went to the soccer park this week to meet Holly, Sklyler, Imaya, and Linnea. Someone asking Imaya again if Derek and Linnea are twins. All the kids loved running around, playing with the ball, and learning t-ball. It is a great place to just let the kids run.

As we were getting ready to leave, Derek and Linnea grabbed each others hands and walked toward the door together. It was a great day.

My mom is officially germa. So is my dad. So Derek has 2 germas!

Little elves

Look at our sweet little elves! The boys continue to grow and improve. This morning they took them off their breathing help to see how they do. They will probably go back on again soon. It was nice to see their faces and compare them. We are starting to see subtle difference in their faces. Will (usually in a solid blanket) is gaining weight and doing great on his feedings. Nate (usally in a gingham blanket) struggles a bit more in gaining weight and keeping all his food down. Over all though each day they do a bit better.

Mike's fist is in the picture for a comparison. Their heads are in between our two fist sizes.

Derek is his usual happy singing self. He is adjusting so well to all the changes in his life!

Daddy and his boys

For those of you who have asked- after getting better MIke was able to hold both boys. He also took one day off to make sure he had no reaction to his H1N1 shot. Poor guy! Daddy loves his 3 sons!

Today we received a fun surprise when we went to the hospital. Both the boys were both taken off their CPAP (breathing help). It is likely that they will need to go back on them and back off in the next few weeks as their lungs continue to learn to work. The CPAP levels they have been on for the last week have been at room air so they only were on oxygen supplements for a few days.

We were at the hospital today so my mom could say goodbye to the boys. We are sad she left, thankful that she was here, and grateful that she will be back next week. Mike's mom is here with us for this week. We are thankful that both moms could come and help out.

The boys are getting bigger

Will and Nate are doing great. Will is back up to his birth weight and Natel is close. Their breathing is more consistent. They are doing great in the feeding department as well.

MIke has been able to visit again as he is feeling good. Mike always uses the thumb to pinky as a measurement. I make fun of him for using this. His fingers are 18 inches with both hands. The boys are clearly much smaller than this (about 15 inches). I am excited to keep taking pictures of him like this to see them "catch" up to Daddy's hands.


Thanks for the prayers. We feel them each day.