The boys seem to be growing so fast. Caleb and I have been enjoying them so much. It is fun to watch them learn and slowly figure things out on their own. Also, both of their little personalities are starting to shine through more and more. I love the fact that we had twins that are so incredibly different. It makes it very fun and interesting. I am really happy we have twins now. Honestly, it's taken me a little while to feel that in some ways, but now... I really wouldn't change it for the world!

I sat the boys down to play tonight and looked back over and this is what I found... Max figured out how to pull himself up. He just got frustrated enough with his mother selecting his toys and decided to take matters into his own hands!

Luke, ready for church!

Max-Man or Maxer... not Maxy, ever, FYI. I mean, really, does he look like a Maxy?! haha!

Listening to Dad.

His new cheesy grin. So funny! Can't really see his two bottom teeth here, but they are there. Trust me.

The best invention, ever, for Luke. Mr. Busy-Man gets in this thing and jumps, jumps and jumps until he falls asleep. Literally. So sweet! :)

And once again!

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5

I wonder if arrows are really cheaper by the dozen?! :)

Double Bubble

I have waited and anticipated the time when my boys would take baths together... the time is here! We have outgrown our baby tubs and kitchen sink. (the kitchen sink issue is the splashing more than their size!) It is so fun to see them splash around together!

In other Max and Luke news... we finally got the results back from Luke's CT scan. Looks like he will not need surgery! Such a relief! We might still go get a second opinion at Children's in the Cities, but at this point we are so relieved and thankful that his skull is shaping appropriately! Thank you, Lord!!!!!

Also, I got word from the doctor the other day that we cannot get another cycle of RSV shots this year. Usually they would get shots through April, but for some reason the way insurance works they only will do five shots, so we are done. Just hoping and praying that the boys make it the rest of the way through RSV season healthy. They have for the most part come out of their colds. Both still have very sporadic lingering coughs, but seem to be recovering well!

Update in a Hurry

So I have been meaning to get on here quick to update on how the boys are feeling...

We ended up taking Max into the ER also on Monday night because he had been running a fever and his cough sounded terrible. I just assumed he would be sent home with the same diagnosis as Luke from Saturday night. Wrong, again. He was sent home with a cold... just some type of viral bug. Most likely the same strand as Luke, but it just didn't hit him as hard. All of Max's labs were negative and his chest x-ray was clear. A relief.

Both of the boys still have little lingering coughs and stuffy noses, but I think overall, they are on the upside of this whole cold thing. SO glad! They both, finally, slept the last two nights. That has been great! I felt like I had two newborns again... I felt like I was doing aerobics all night long. Up, down, nurse, rock, repeat! haha!

So, yes, we are feeling better! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers! Can't wait for spring now! Hoping to get the boys out for lots of walks!

ER Visit

So I brought Luke into the ER tonight, thinking we would be sent home with the diagnosis of an ear infection. Wrong.

I do know that he doesn't have an ear infection, RSV, influenza or strep, but he does have bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is a viral infection that is common in babies. Usually from the ages of 3 to 6 months. The older the infant, the larger the airways, the less common the infection. However, as you all know... because I babble about it often, our boys being premature have smaller airways for their age, thus being more susceptible to diseases, such as this. We were given some antibiotics to fight off any bacterial infections in the lungs and now we are praying... praying that this does not materialize into RSV or any other more serious conditions. We do get RSV shots monthly, but unfortunately, that doesn't completely protect him from the virus.

Man! I am just frustrated! This is exactly what I have tried so, so, so hard to avoid! To any of you out there with preemies, take my word for it. Get checked out soon! There is nothing worse than having something like this materialize into RSV and then pneumonia. I just am a little annoyed, because when I went into the ER they of course said that bronchiolitis is common in babies that are in day care, are not breastfed, in a household with smokers, small households (not sure about that one)... blah, blah, blah! Well, Luke is breastfed, lives in a large house with out smoke and has never been to day care! So... he's a preemie... what can I do about it!! I think what makes me so uneasy is that I do not feel that the health care in our immediate area understands the whole "preemie thing." In turn, I doubt their diagnosis, treatment, etc. I just miss being in the NICU where they knew us from day one and our history.

Okay, enough of that ranting. I am now just praying that he will have a good rest tonight. The poor little man has not slept well for the last 3 nights (which could account for his mother's ranting, since she has not slept either!) Ha!

Sick Baby

So we have our first official sickness. So bummed! We have made it so long in the clear...

Luke started coughing yesterday and it has gotten progressively worse. I called the doctor already to make sure I am watching for the right warning signs so I don't let anything go too long before being checked out. It just breaks my heart to know he doesn't feel well. I'm hoping he can get some good naps today because he hasn't been sleeping all that well. I have a steamer going right by the crib and I have him elevated too. Just pray for my little man if you think about him. And for Max too. He has a stuffy nose all of a sudden. I feel like he is bound to get whatever Luke has. How can he not?

Happy weekend anyway! We will just be laying low.... trying to kick this little cold!

Oh! P.S. Max has another tooth that popped up yesterday! Right next to the other one. His two little bottom teeth! Yay!

Who Stole the Cookie...

Grandpa did. He stole that Grandma Cookie and took her all the way to Gulf Shores, AL... for over two weeks! Ugh! We miss her!!! We are excited for her to come back soon. And Grandpa too, of course! :)

Bath time today! Luke LOVES his bath now too!

Sweet little shoulders...

Brooke came to visit! We all love her!

Max just contently cuddled with Caleb this morning on the couch. Watching some dirt biking show. It was boring, but Max is a boy after his dad's own heart!

I love the boys in these little shirts my mom and dad got them from Keystone, CO. They look so cute in them!

Max in his snocross hat from his daddy!

We had such a nice night tonight! We went over to Caleb's mom and dad's for dinner. Finally had the WHOLE family together since we were gone in Florida and just life, being busy. I am so happy that we live in the same town as our families. It makes it so fun to share the boys with everyone! I'm excited for Sunday. My sister-in-laws and my mother-in-law and I are headed to the Cities for a whole day to do some shopping and have some girl time for my mother-in-law's birthday. I am really looking forward to it! I have never spent a WHOLE day away from the boys, so I'm a little nervous. Caleb and Grandpa are taking care of the boys and I know the boys will be just fine. It's just me that will have to adjust!

Updates...

I feel like I need to update on new things. Since the point of continuing this blog was to have a baby book reference for myself, I better get up to speed!

• Luke has been sitting up unassisted since the beginning of February and Max has since the middle to end of February. (5 to 5 1/2 months adjusted age)
• Since Florida both boys can now roll from their backs to their tummies. (6 months AA)
• We have started solids and juices, officially. (6 months AA)
• Max's first tooth has just started to poke up. (6 months AA)
• Luke got his first haircut! (6 months AA)

Notice the little peacock feather on the top of his head?

It NEEDED to go. And he looks so cute now!!!

• Luke scoots... only backwards. (6 months AA)
• They both talk lots, giggle lots, blow bubbles and make motor sounds. (for a long time - 3 to 4 months? AA)

Apple juice in sippy cups. Sippy cups have not been mastered yet.