Eating

The boys are still doing very well. They are now eating a lot of their food by mouth. The last few nights Mike has given one a bottle and I breast feed the other. They let them try for 30 minutes and then they need to rest (it takes a lot of energy for them to try).

Nate is over 4 pounds and Will is getting close. Nate is growing at a faster rate than Will right now. They are spending about 12 hours of each day co-bedding.

We are having a great time with my family here. They are a ton of help. The greatest help is being here in the evenings so both MIke and I can go to the hospital. We are also having fun playing games, playing with Derek, and laughing a lot. Derek loves playing hide and go seek with Germa and Auntie Alli. It is a riot to watch as Derek does not quite get all the rules. Derek is very loved and doted on!

The bestest gift for Derek

Derek's best friend (with help from her mommy) bought him the greatest gift made for Derek... his own vacuum cleaner. Unlike his other one, this one makes noise. He literally spent 6 hours vacuuming on Christmas. Where does he get if from? He even instructs Germa on where to move the carpets to help him vacuum better. I am thinking a full size dyson for next year? He did get other gifts that he does play with but the vacuum is the best!

How little the boys are

Will and Nate are getting bigger (almost 4 pounds each) but are still tiny. Here is a pair of Derek's jammies that fit him snugly next to a onesie that fits the boys. Crazy!

Bill and Will

My Dad, William Isler, met his namesake on Christmas Day. He also got to hold WIll. It was the first time that a family member other than Mike and I could hold the boys. So Germa held Nate and Auntie Alli and Grampa took turns holding Will. Now that Grampa met Will we would like to announce the boys full names....


William Daniel Isler Christensen

Nathaniel David Christensen

The boys are now co-bedding as well. They are doing great and are mature enough to be together. Woo hoo! They are now both closing in on 4 pounds each as well!

Derek and his birthday cookie

Derek is 2 today!

2 years ago our lives changed forever. We received a wonderful gift in Derek. Having a baby does change everything. Derek is awesome. He has taught us so much. We are proud to be his parents. Derek is kind, compassionate, full of hugs and kisses, a great problem solver, and climbs everything. We love how protective he is of his friends and is kind to them. It is so fun to watch his personality unfold.

Dear Jesus, please help our Derek grow into a man who loves you, loves his family, and is kind to others. We want him to show others Your compassion and kindness. Help us to be the parents you want us to be. Help us model to him You.

Sleepy boys

Great news... Will is off his nasal cannula and Nate should be off his today! Woo hoo! The boys gained 1.5 and 2 ounces each last night. This makes them each over 3.5 pounds! Go boys. They are packing on the weight now. They both wake up 10 minutes before feeding time and start screaming- which really is a good thing- but not for the nurses. Will is starting to try to nurse with some success but Nate is not quite ready yet. The boys still have a lot to learn before they get to come home- probably around the end of January (30 January was my due date). To come home they need to: maintain their own body heat, nurse/eat on their own and be gaining weight, and breathe on their own without problems. Slowly we are getting there.

Mike has not been able to go the last few days as he is sick so Grandma has loved going with me every evening. Get better soon honey! My dad and Alli are coming tonight until Jan 1 for Christmas so we will have a fuller house- and tons of fun!