A lot of this...

There has been a lot going on in our family the last bit so we haven't had the time to do much blogging. I figured I might as well post a couple pics of the twins doing what they do best...sleeping :) We'll get back on the blogging bandwagon in the next little bit hopefully!

1 week down and alive

Well, contrary to most people's bets, we are still alive and sane after a week home with the boys.  Its really only due to the fact that we've had plenty of help from friends and family, but we'll take it!  The week did start off on the wrong foot with Emily recovering from a nasty cold when the boys came home and me catching it on day one.  Luckily we had super Nana (Cindy) to help us with a quick recovery and pick up the slack.  By the weekend we were back in form.

We've even managed to get a little sleep and finish off some decorations in the boys' room.  But mostly we've just been enjoying getting to know Noah and Max better.  They are pretty good little guys!

Here are a few photos that we've snapped so far.

Hanging out in the bassinets (Noah on the left, Max on the right)

Grandma Pam showed up on Sunday and has been a big help as well!  This picture doesn't do justice to the work she has done :)

The boys

Uncle Norm and Cousin Kelsey stopped through Seattle on their way home from the end of Kelsey's school year.  Noah was particularly happy with a pronounced fist in the air.

Noah, with a very peculiar raised eyebrow.  Not sure what he spied, but something certainly got him thinking.

Welcome Home Noah and Max!

Well after about 5 weeks of time in the NICU, the boys came home yesterday!  Its hard to explain how great this is on so many levels.  Both Emily and I are finally taking some real time off to spend with our boys and get them familiar with their surroundings.  Not to mention the fact that caring for 3 boys under 18 months is pretty much impossible to do well.  But we couldn't be happier to be so tired and overwhelmed.

More to come on the tribulations of parenthood, but for now, we'll call it pure bliss.

Cole meeting Max.  He's still pretty unsure of what this is all about.

But he'll still give a smile on command!

Noah seems to like his new surrounds... especially with no wires and beeping!

Last few days at the hospital

The last few days at the hospital were full of stress and excitement as we checked off everything that needed to occur before we left.  From car seat testing to scheduling pediatrician appointments, there is a full regimen of activities.  The final days we were watching Noah and Max's vitals to make sure neither had an episode of a reduced heart rate.  There is a 5 day period that they must have no episodes before they can be released.  That milestone was reached on Tuesday!

Here are some pictures of our final days at the hospital

Noah trying to figure out what's going on

Max, likely making some funny sounds

Here's the carseat test.  90 minutes of hanging out in these chairs.  Joy.

Noah striking a pose on his final morning.

And Max showing off his chins. He's worked hard on those!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Cole is trying interesting ways to crush his crackers with the new egg slicer.  He also combined oranges with crackers.  Not delicious.

He does love his frozen booberries though!

Fun with friends

While Noah and Max grow stronger, Cole continues to have the run of the house.  He met up with some friends that were in the area on Sunday morning for a little time at the park.  

Cole and Cade enjoying the sandbox at Green Lake park

Successfully commandeering someone's dump truck and shovel

Back to the house for some chase and hitting on the younger woman

Cole, Cade and Oliver.  These three boys were all born within one week of each other.  Pregnancy pacts still exist apparently!

Happy 1 month birthday!

Earlier this week Noah and Max passed their 1 month mark!  They are doing so well, so we couldn't be happier with their progress.  They're feeding on their own, have passed 6 pounds and have had their feeding tubes removed.  At this point, we're just waiting for 5 days of perfect breathing and heart rates, which should come soon.

Here are some pictures from their 1 month birthday:

Max is not too interested in having his picture taken when sleep is on the line.

Brothers

Noah is a big fan of his elephant

Obligatory posed hand holding shot

Progress Continues!

Noah and Max continue to do great and are showing all of the signs of being healthy boys.  They're packing on the ounces and should be more than 6 pounds here quickly!  At this point, we're just waiting for them to have the energy to feed consistently on their own before they can come home.  We're hoping that will happen in a week or so but are being patient and letting them take their time.  Then the mayhem can begin!  Until then, here's some photos of some recent happenings.

Here's a picture of Grandpa Reed and Max.  Grandma and Grandpa were up last weekend and got to spend a little time at the hospital.

And here's Grandma Pam and Noah.

Here's Noah sleeping soundly today.

And Max doing the same.

Cole and I had a full day of manly activities including a trip to Target for some new swim trunks and some grocery shopping.  Then we hit the pool at Green Lake for some swimming.  Needless to say, I probably won't be in charge of buying swim trunks (aka pants) once our family is under one roof.