Pray for baby Stellan

I don't know how many of you are praying people, I think this blog address has made it past my realm of friends-but if you are a praying person, will you pray for baby Stellan. He is Chase and Owen's friend from MOPS, (as much as 8 and 5 month old babies can be friends). His mom, Jennifer, is in my MOPS group at church. Baby Stellan is in the hospital fighting for his life. In very non-technical terms-his heart is very sick. In utero he had the same heart problems he is experiencing now (SVT). He was born PERFECT-praise God, but recently went back to having heart problems. Please pray that the doctors will get his heart rate under control and back to normal. Pray for the McKinney family as they struggle with a sick little baby, who turned 5 months old today. Please pray for complete healing and that Jesus will be glorified in this process. There is a huge movement on Facebook, on blogs around the world, etc. and people are praying for Stellan. Will you join us? Click on the link below to visit the McKinney's blog to find out more.

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

Just talked to a good friend of mine who is a missionary in a country far away-she has even heard of Stellan. Pray friends, pray.

Photos

Owen's wide eyed look
O-Baby's chub chub
Chasey poo
Owen's big smile
Pucker up!
Am I really this cute?! (Owen)
This photo shoot ended after this shot!
Chase's big blue eyes
Chase's big tummy
This is a classic Chase look-I just love it!
Chase
We had a photo shoot at our house directed by one other than . . . me! :) My little boys are growing up. Their little tummies are so round and I love their little chub chubs.

The boys had their first experience at the park this weekend. We had a beautiful 60 degree day. They got to swing in the baby swings and loved it! We put the boys in the same swing and got some priceless photos of the fun. They were the entertainment of the park.

Two Teeth

Yesterday was a big day for Mommy, I mean the boys. I was feeling in Chase's mouth and found a little tooth. I was so excited I called Jeff right away at work, then proceeded to call everyone I could think of because no one would answer their phone. Chase's front left bottom tooth just broke the skin. After Owen got up from his nap I thought I better check him too. Sure enough, in true twin fashion, there was another tooth! The same tooth had come in in Owen! :) Amazing. I was so proud of my boys. We did not even know they were teething! When you can see the tooth without prying open their mouths I'll post a picture.

It's Spring!

Hey-that hat is cool.
"I like your hat Owen, I like your mouth Chase."
Owen's new hat and spring coat.
Chase's new hat, spring coat and interesting expression.
Since it's spring I thought some new spring hats for the boys were in order. Jeff and I had been trying hats on them and I just couldn't resist these. They've gotten some attention around the neighborhood. The boys love to see each other wearing hats and will reach for them and try to pull them off. They even laugh at each other. We've been out on several walks lately and encounter so many neighbors. It feels good to be out of hibernation.

Feeding Time

As you can imagine, feeding twins at the same time can be challenging, to say the least. It's getting easier because the boys actually like to eat now. They also like to smear food all over their faces. Chase is especially messy. His arm is always wiping across his mouth to his hair across his eyebrows (aren't eyebrows fun to clean dried food out of?) and back to his mouth. My favorite is food up the nose-always a joy to clean for all parties involved. Owen tends to be a little cleaner. I'm not sure why, but am sure happy about it. Our routine involves me putting the boys in their seats with Puffs. They try to pick them up, which occupies their time while I get the food ready. I prepare the cereal, open up the fruit and veggie, take a seat on the stool in front of the boys and begin. If they are sick they each get their own bowl with their own spoon. If they are healthy they share everything! It's so much easier on me. I feed one a bit and while he swallows the other one gets a bite. It goes back and forth like this until all the food is gone, or one of the boys is yelling because he wants more faster than I'm giving it to him. In this case that baby gets several bites in a row. They are patient and like their food. Chase likes to get very messy.
Owen enjoyed his applesauce.
Another attempt at getting the food into the mouth failed. (notice the messy eyebrows!)

Bits and Pieces

Last week we had some 40 degree weather *gasp* so I thought I would take the boys out for their first stroller ride where they could sit up in the stroller. I bundled them up in some outfits I found in the closet and strapped them in. I think they were wondering why they couldn't use their hands and why they couldn't move very well! When I started out of the driveway I stopped to look at them. They were both wide eyed and looked excited to explore the new world. Unfortunately it was quite windy that day so we didn't get to go very far. Daddy came home just in time to see them and we strolled around the driveway for a bit. The boys enjoyed their first outside adventure.Chase and Owen on their first outdoor stroller rideChase all bundled in blue

We took the boys to the Mall of America for the first time ever. Chase slept for 2 hours of the 3 hour experience, Owen for 1. They loved to look around at everyone and all the bright lights. It was quite the experience maneuvering the stroller through the people and everyone saying, "Oh look, Twins!" It was nice to get out and do something different. On Sunday we went to the Home and Garden Expo downtown. Also a fun event with the boys. They got to see real trees and live flowers for the first time and thought it was cool. Once again, lots of twins comments, especially when they were out bouncing around.

The boys are now 36 weeks old-amazing they are 9 months. They love to stand at the window or the couch. We've had a couple tip overs, but no bumps and bruises. I'm pretty careful with them-they are just babies! :) They are learning to drink out of a sippy cup. This is interesting for them. They don't quite understand that they need to suck to get the water out so they chew the spout. They have both mastered the art of eating Puffs (a cereal food like Cheerios). It took Owen a little while to get it-he would always gag. Now that he has it down he can't get enough. He can pick them up with his fingers and get it to his mouth, but can't quite figure out how to drop it into his mouth. Chase just likes me to feed him. He doesn't even want to try to pick them up. When I turn my back he tries and actually picked up a few yesterday in his fist. He'll get there. They are taking 2 naps a day. They go down quite easily most days. Owen is a better sleeper-he is just so easy. He lets you know when he's tired, is excited to see his bed and rolls over and goes to sleep. He sleeps 1 1/2 hours to 3! Chase will fight sleep at all costs to be with me. He just has to be put down and you have to leave the room or he will sit there and look at you with his puppy dog eyes. Once he's in bed he's fine and goes to sleep. He doesn't nap as long as Owen-typically 1 hour. I guess he's like Jeff and doesn't need as much sleep. Owen is my baby-he loves his sleep and needs it! :)Chase and Owen at 36 weeks
Mommy and the boys singing songs.
Chase and Owen looking out the window (and pounding on it)
Little boys at the big window-how sweet
Owen looking sweet
Chase standing at the couch.
Chase and Owen (front) playing at Chases' crib
Owen looking out the window.

Play time at the Bergers

The boys love to play and we love to play with them. They love paper towels and the holder. Chase loves the refrigerator and they both like the microwave (buttons). I like to dress them up in my old scarves to see how silly I can make them look (they look so cute). Enjoy our pictures and videos of play time.Chase playing with the fridge
Chase and his favorite-the paper towels
Chase in the mess of paper towels he's pulled off.
Chase and the fridge

Chase and Owen (Owen in pink, Chase in blue) playing away while Mom dressed them up.
Chase sports a beautiful navy blue scarf which is all the rage this spring.

Love those eyelashes.
Pink and brown are also very hot for spring this year. Owen shows off his looks in this beautiful head scarf.

Grandma and Grandpa Anderson Visit

Owen wondering something about Grandpa
Grandpa wishing he could nap along with Owen

My parents visited this past weekend and had a great time with the boys. We hung out most of the time and just played. Mom and Dad watched the boys while Jeff and I went to dinner with neighbors Saturday night. Chase and Owen had fun playing with Mop Grandma and Grandpa. They showed off their "crawling" moves, eating and not so good napping. They got to witness the boys' love of the paper towel holder and the fridge.

Jeff and I have noticed that the boys get used to being held the entire time when visitors come. When visitors leave they just want to be held. It's a hard couple days.Grandma with Chase scaling the fridge
Grandpa and Chase
Grandma feeding Chase
ISU outfits

My parents visited this past weekend and had a great time with the boys. We had a fun time. We hung out most of the time and just played. Mom and Dad watched the boys while Jeff and I went to dinner with neighbors Saturday night. Chase and Owen had fun playing with Mop Grandma and Grandpa. They showed off their "crawling" moves, eating and not so good napping. They got to witness the boys' love of the paper towel holder and the fridge.

Jeff and I have noticed that the boys get used to being held the entire time when visitors come. When visitors leave they just want to be held. It's a hard couple days.

A Puppy and a Kitty

I had to include this picture because it shows how difficult it is to actually get a good shot of both of them looking at me. How weird is it? Where is Chase's right arm?


Chase and Owen have not been real interested in stuffed animals until Valentine's Day when they got a puppy and kitty from Grandma and Grandpa Anderson. They just loved them! They smiled, reached for them and hugged them. It was so sweet. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Updates:

Chase: sees himself in a mirror and pats himself, rocking on knees, likes to eat food-bananas are his favorite, is working on new sounds daily like /dada/, has thighs that are 10 inches around and feet that are 4 inches long, loves his brother, sleeps on his tummy, wakes up too early in the morning (4 am), doesn't sleep through the night, likes to put his face very close to yours and look you in the eyes, hates loud noises and cries, moves his arms like a bird and rotates his hands when he is excited, rocks back and forth when sitting and excited, has a runny nose always.

Owen: working on crawling, scoots backwards very quickly, gets what he wants by grabbing your arms, cheek, hair, spoon to pull you in, loves loves to eat anything (except thick foods-they make him gag), has thighs that are also 10 inches around and feet that are also 4 inches long, loves to swim, sleeps on his tummy, kicks when excited, is an excellent sleeper, napper and takes after Mommy, loves loud noises and laughs, likes to scream, loves his brother and touching him in the eye, loves to grab your head (hair) and pull you into his face with his mouth wide open.

Choosing

Owen made a choice yesterday-the choice was Jeff. It was one of the most sad moments for me. Jeff was trying to pass Owen off to me to try on some clothes at the mall. Owen turned around and hugged Jeff and wouldn't let go. He chose Daddy over Mommy. He's supposed to always choose me, Im the Mommy! I guess the rejection has to begin sometime. It was very sad realizing he is going to make choices that do not always involve me. Daddy is more fun-he bounces and has more energy than Mommy. I can be fun too-hey we danced in the store-that's fun right? (I'm happy Owen chose Jeff-his Daddy (kinda))

Grandma Sandy Visits

Grandma and Chase with his pants pulled up way too high! Outfits are gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Berger for Valentine's Day.

Owen in his cute new outfit. He's a little puppy
Grandma Sandy (Jeff's Mom) lives in FL during the best months of winter. She came to visit to see her grandkids and we were happy to have her visit and bring some Florida sunshine. Sandy was able to spend all day Friday and Saturday with us. The boys had fun reuniting with her. We were able to take her swimming with us. Pat, Lindsay and Sophia came over Saturday for swimming and hanging out, as well. Enjoy the pics.Grandma Sandy holding Chase and cousin Sophia and Owen

Jeff and Chase and Sandy and Owen

Sandy and Chase

Sandy feeding Chase with Susie and Owen in the background