Jack and Bella celebrate Christmas

Jack and Bella are truly lucky! They had a wonderful Christmas. We first had our family Christmas here at home Saturday night. Nathaniel and I first took Jack and Bella to meet Santa and then propped them in their Bumbo seats and videoed the opening of presen. It was a special night for the 4 of us. Well, at least Nathaniel and I knew what was going on. We had fun! The next morning we left for Iowa and spent the next couple of days there. There, they got to meet Santa again at the house where their Daddy grew up. We attended Christmas Eve services where Bella was Jesus in the church nativity. Jack was supposed to play the part, but a last minute diaper "issue" prevented that and he wasn't available. Jack and Bella also got to make another special trip to see Great Grandma Norgren. We enjoy visiting Great Grandma and she loves to hold the babies. From Iowa we loaded up the car and headed to Omaha for the Stavropoulos family Christmas. We ate dinner in the old market at Vivace and also got to see Aunt Katina's store, Katina's Couture.
In the end it was lots of travel and fun and mommy and daddy couldn't wait to see their bed when we got home! The babies are truly blessed. They received presents from every direction! More importantly, the babies were surrounded by so much love. Thank you to everyone for making their first Christmas so special.
We wish everyone a happy and healthy 2008!!!

P.S. MORE exciting news!!! Aunt Kaisha and Jake got engaged and we are very excited that Jake is going to be our Uncle!!! Congrats Aunt Kaisha and Uncle Jake!!!

Jack and Bella are models!

Jack and Bella have been asked to participate in a photo shoot for a local boutique. On Tuesday night I got a call from the store located close to our house and they asked me if I would let Jack and Bella model baby clothes for their website. Of course I said yes! They have their first baby photo shoot the weekend of January 11-12. This also happens to be the weekend that Aunt Susan and Samantha will be here visiting from Ohio so we will all get to go together to watch the babies strike a pose! :)
We first became familiar with the store while I was on maternity leave. We shopped in there a lot with Nana and really enjoy their clothes. This is very exciting for us!
This is the link to the store and of course when the pictures are taken, we'll post them here too!!!
http://www.cradletocrayons.com/

Snow Days!

Really it was an ice day, but snow sounds more fun. Last Tuesday we were iced in and day care was closed. Nathaniel and I traded off all day trying to get some work done while taking care of Jack and Bella. We got a little bored and took a few pictures. You'll have to forgive our appearances. Doesn't snow day mean no shower day?!?!

A Message for Samantha

So we heard through the grapevine (Nana) that our cousin Samantha is missing us a lot and is very sad she can't see us more. We just want to let Samantha know that we miss her too and love her so much. She takes great care of us and we can't wait to see her again. Maybe in January she and Mommy can fly out for a weekend and we can have a sleepover in Kansas City! So, until then keep checking the blog Samantha! We'll post lots of pictures and updates for you!!! We love all of our Ohio family!

Holy Giant Babies Batman!

Just a short little note to let everyone know that our children don't miss a meal. I took them to the doctor yesterday for a simple weight check. Here are the results:

Jack - 14 lbs. 5 oz. - 90th percentile
Bella - 11 lbs. 12 oz. - 50th percentile

This is amazing. If you remember Jack was in the 10th percentile at their 2 week check up after they were born, and Bella was in the 5th percentile. Yay!

Thanksgiving At The Lake!

Jack and Bella had their first family holiday at the lake this weekend. They had a lot of fun and so did Nathaniel and I. We all spent a lot of time playing games, eating, having "porch beer", watching football and just laughing. Jack and Bella got to meet their cousins from Ohio, Jake and Samantha. Samantha seems to have a knack for taking care of Jack and Bella and we were tempted to bring her home with us and keep her for babysitting! We all enjoyed dinner at Lodge of the Four Seasons as well and did a little shopping. Nathaniel and I got to test out the new Baby Bjorns and have decided that they are wonderful. Here are some pictures from the fun weekend! Enjoy!
Until next time.....

"The turkey looks weird and I want to go to Target......... " - Jake

It's Cold Out!

I took Jack and Bella to the grocery store this morning for some last minute items for the trip to the lake. They wore their new hats, mittens and coats that Popi and Nana Stavropoulos gave them and they LOVE them! These were too cute to not post!

Jack and Bella go to Iowa!

Mom and dad came too.......

Last weekend Nathaniel and I made our first long distance trip with Jack and Bella. Saturday morning we made the 3 1/2 hour drive up to Grandma and Grandpa Norgrens house. Jack and Bella did really well and only fussed the last 10 miles or so. We were getting close to feeding time and they just wanted to let us know. While we were there, Jack and Bella got to go to a turkey dinner at Nathaniel's hometown church, meet lots of family at cousin Hayley's wedding AND they got to meet Great Grandma Norgren. Great Grandma was very excited to meet the twins and just kept staring in amazement at the fact that there were 2 - much like we did for the first week after they were born. Here are some pictures from the weekend. We also got family pictures taken too, and we'll post them as soon as we get them!

Great Grandma and Jack

Great Grandma and Bella

Nathaniel with the kiddos and Great Grandma

Lots of Norgrens!

More Norgrens!

Until Next Time,

Lots of Norgrens

Jack and Bella have their 2 month check up!!!

Nathaniel and I took Jack and Bella to their 2 month check up on November 7th. It's amazing how they have grown! Jack was 18 inches and 6 pounds 2 ounces when he was born.......now (drumroll please).....he's 23 1/4 inches long and 12 pounds! Go Jack! He's jumped from the 10th percentile to the 50th!!! What can we say? The kid likes to eat. As for Bella, she is holding her own as well. When Bella was born she was 18 inches long and 4 pounds 15 ounces. She has made amazing progress and now weighs in at a hefty 10 pounds! She's 22 inches long! Bella jumped from the 5th percentile to the 25th which is wonderful. Both have really been thriving. Jack and Bella both smile now and today both were holding their rattles too. It's so neat. My blogs aren't as entertaining as my husbands, but they certainly are informative. :) Stay tuned.....next up....a blog about our first trip to Iowa to see Great Grandma. For now, here are some fun pics........

Such a girl

Little Rock Star

Jack is plotting to take over the world

Next week we are headed to the lake for Thanksgiving. We are very excited to meet our cousins Samantha and Jake from Ohio.

More soon!

It's Turkey Time!

The Norgrens

Holy Halloween! ...or Professional Photos?

(Note the Rocky and Bullwinkle blog title)
Yesterday marked two occasions.
1. Halloween
2. Jack and Bella turned 8 whole weeks old!

For Halloween, Jack and Bella decided to go as iPods...I mean Pea Pods. Unbeknownst to us, the costumes they had were laced with some sort of sleeping powder. Through the slew of trick-or-treaters Jack and Bella slept and were also ooh'd and ahh'd at by the kids there were old enough to realize that we were holding babies and not growths. (Oddly enough, there were some teenagers that came by, neither Stephanie or I remembered going trick-or-treating at that age...hooligans)

Here are some delightful Halloween pictures. In some you can see Jack's eyes...a little. I think we should start dressing them in these to go to bed.

Jack, looking reflectively at the ceiling fan.

Such a smirk!

I'm Bella, I'm sleepy because I'm growing and it's not night time so Dad and Mom aren't sleeping.


















Dreary in their pods. (Bella left, Jack right)





















Ok, now onto the photos from last week. Stephanie and her mom took Jack and Bella to get some professional photos last week! Turns out they must be bordering on models. Maybe I'm biased, but I'd like to think I'm not. (Note: I'm probably biased)

Again with the smirk! He's like a tiny clown with no face paint.





















Seriously, she will eat you alive with her cuteness.





















Can you see the size difference? It's hard for me to tell them apart...















Like two angels on a cloud. Jack, are you flexing? So tough.






















Send us some comment love,
The Norgren Family

New Baby Pictures!

Jack and Bella get new baby pictures today. To whet your appetite for them here are some "newer" pics. I put that in quotes because they grow so fast I'll probably come home from work tonight and Jack will have sideburns.

This is some good fist!

Can you see Jack? I know it's hard, he's in cammo. Like a mini Schwarzenegger.

Such a poser!

Just finished a t-bone.

So tired from being pampered all day!

Do his hands look big in the picture? He can palm a 28.5 basketball.

Giving you the 'eye'

Kinda tired

Roar!

Can you see Jack through the cheeks?

I find that bunny both incredibly intriguing and a bit morbid.

Such a dainty sleeper

Um, yeah, that's bright. Hello? *cries*

Until next time,
Nathaniel, Stephanie, Jack and Bella

Jack and Bella are Real People!

Yesterday we received Jack and Bella's social security cards in the mail which means that to the United States Government they are real people! Real people that will be taxed and get jobs and rise up and take over the world.

Literally. They will rise up and take over the world. Get in their good graces now.

It's a weird thing to think about, but I was wondering if a baby's identity had every been stolen. If we start getting bills for outrageous purchases in Jack or Bella's name, I won't jump to conclusions. First I'll sit each of them down and ask them to tell me if they bought what they were charged for and teach them the value of the dollar. If all they do is look at me and then catch a glimpse of the ceiling fan and stare at it, then sneeze and yawn then I'll know they understand. If not, I'll probably call the authorities.

I'll put new pictures out soon!
N, S, J and B

Peanut Butter Belly Time!

Yesterday we had our two week checkup with Jack and Bella. Turns out they are growing like the weeds in our lawn, fast.


Jack now weighs 6 lbs 13 oz and is 20 inches long. He came home from the hospital weighing 5 lbs 14 oz and was 18 inches long. Bella is now 5 lbs 9 oz (broke the 5 lb mark!) and is 19.5 inches long. She came home from the hospital weighing 4 lbs 9 oz and was 18 inches long.

So, onto the pictures. Yesterday the doctor told us that the twins should have some "belly time" for a few hours everyday to keep their heads nice and round. We don't need to have a couple of pancake heads in our family.


What a nice looking blanket,
The N's.

The Insignificant Significance of Time

Well, we are all home. I'm, unfortunately, back at work. Right now Stephanie, Jack, Bella and Stephanie's mom, Gloria are all back at home. Last night I stayed in the guest room so I could get a full night of sleep (I woke up every 3 hours anyway) so I could come back to my glorious place of employment this morning.

Our stay in the hospital seemed to go so slowly, but so fast at the same time. The title of this blog was the first thing that came to mind in regards to that and to the time we've had with Jack and Bella since. The hospital was like staying in a hotel that sucked. It was a mini vacation but not at all like home...mostly because I feel comfortable going sans shoes while walking on the floor in our house.

Right now our nights are filled with every 3 hour feedings and supplementing with a bottle after breast feeding. Bella needs to catch up!

We couldn't have asked for more well behaved babies. For the most part they keep their bodily fluids to themselves (both of us have been sprayed, Stephanie's such a good mom about it!) and they sleep very well. We even have to wake them up to feed them! Don't let me down, babies, don't make me a liar. Continue to sleep well!

Thank you all for your kind words and support, we all appreciate it very much. I have the twins working on thank yous since they are still too young to get jobs.

More to come,
Nathaniel, Stephanie, Jack (on the right) and Bella (on the left)

Very Quick Update

Isabella Efthemia Norgren, 4 lbs. 15 oz., 18" long, born 9/5/07 at 7:59 am.
Jack Ira Norgren, 6 lbs. 2 oz., 18" long, born 9/5/07 at 7:58 am.

Mom and babies are doing well, everyone is very tired.
Keep us in your thoughts, I'll post pictures as soon as I can!
-The Norgren Family

TOMORROW

9/5/2007 7:30 a.m. CST.

See floating babies for more details.

To the limit...

We're quickly approaching September 13th, which the babies' birthday was moved to after a scheduling conflict between the doctor and the OR (what stories we'll have for them on the significance of their birthdays!).

Stephanie is feeling full and ready to burst like that scene in Alien after they guy eats the noodles and the alien pops out of his chest. Well, probably not that, but seriously, she's full.

We're expecting the twins any day now. In preparation for them I've been staying up late to simulate sleep deprivation and watching such movies as, "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", which stars the always charming Kevin Costner.

You know it's true, everything I do, I do it for you,
Anxious N, Bubble Belly and the reasons for The Bubble

It's Poll Time, People!

Time for all of you readers to answer a few poll questions:

• What will the little boy's name be?
• What will the little girl's name be?
• What will the weight and length of the little boy be?
• What will the weight and length of the little girl be?
• What will the birth date and time be?
• Who will win the Superbowl this year?
• What will the winning Powerball numbers for 9/1/07 be?

Feel free to add your thoughts in a comment. Seriously, if anyone knows the answer to the last one that would be great.

Happy Guessing!

All of us.

Radio Hosts

My sister and I keep hearing muffled voices from the outside. We're not sure who these people are but we have our theories, which, for the time being, we'll keep to ourselves. We are starting to wonder what these people look like.

Ever since around 20 weeks ago we've been able to hear what has been going on. It's like an all day talk show with a pause for station identification for around 8 hours starting around 10:30 p.m. We also often hear loud piercing "barking" noises. I use the term barking because we don't yet have the vocabulary to describe them better. What is that thing? It sounds messy....and hairy.

So what will these radio hosts look like? Will it be like seeing one on TV for the first time and the voice does not match the mouth it's coming from? Possibly. Either way we've discussed it and we'll probably just scream and cry a lot to combat any more of said talking. It's been almost 9 months already...we're sick of it!

Until you see us,
The Two Inside.

35 Weeks + 1 Day

Yesterday Stephanie and I had our week 35 doctor appointment. As most of them, it consisted of a heartbeat check (heartbeats check) and a measurement (which I've never really understood, but I'm not a doctor, doctor).

The doctor we had for the checkup said that Stephanie is doing so well to be this far along with twins and if we had them this weekend they would be just fine. That's a relief...and also a cold bucket of Gatorade down the back of our shirts. I'm ready to have them but I'd prefer they stick to the schedule set forth by us and arrive on September 14th. Hearing the doctor say that she was doing so well and almost outside of the norm for a pregnancy with multiples made me very proud of her and all of the work her insides are doing to her outsides.

All of this being said, I'd take them now if they would come, but wow, talk about getting close! I have the song "The Final Countdown" running through my head...now if I only had a synthesizer.

She's getting to the point of no more stretch,
Nathaniel, Stephanie, _____ and _____

The Genius of John Hughes

If we had a choice, I think we'd chose John Hughes script out our twins' birth.

If you haven't had a chance you should watch the classic 1988 movie, "She's Having a Baby", I recommend it. I also dare you to not be touched by the montage at the end of the movie. The mixture of the brilliance of Kate Bush's, "This Woman's Work" and the always delightful Kevin Bacon make for a very heart wrenching few minutes.

In case you don't have time to check this out, I've embedded the clip below.
..
Just so you know, they have a lovely, healthy baby boy named Zorgue (you'd have to see Dan Akroyd in the credits to appreciate that).

While we haven't been stuck in the rain lately or painted anything in awhile I remember every minute of our 2+ year marriage...I wish J. Hughes were around to make a montage of it.

Comment if you cry,
The N's

Floating Baby Change

I've made a small change to the floating babies on the right hand side of the blog.

The due date.

Friday, at the doctor, we scheduled a c-section for Friday, September 14! Wow! That made one heckuva change in the days remaining on the floating babies. If you don't know, you can click multiple times on the days/week portion of the babies and it will change and show you different statistics. Not that I think any of you loyal readers are computer illiterate, just pointin' it out.

This past weekend, the future Norgren Grandparents came down to Kansas City to help around the house. We washed windows (and risked life and limb to do so...some of them are high, so high) and did other miscellaneous things, such as enjoy Starbucks and Panera. It was great having them come down!

Well, once again, we're expecting, barring any preterm labor activity, to have the babies on September 14...a day that means a lot to us...because it's a Friday.

Wow,
N,S,a,b.

Innately added safety feature...

This morning on my way to work while driving down the war zone (the best way to describe the construction equipment littered highway that we take to work everyday) I realized that I've added an innate and automatic safety system to the car. In fact, any car that I now drive has this added feature.

This new and cutting edge safety device is my arm. Yes, my arm. As I slammed on my brakes to avoid the car in front of me in the single lane of hell that is 169 South, my arm flung toward the passenger seat as a sort of barrier between the air sitting next to me and the dash. I remember, as I'm sure many of you do, my mom using that same technique with me in the passenger seat.

I know that this "arm belt" motion probably wouldn't help in a serious crash, but I guess it's just another step toward parenthood!

I hope I don't throw a forearm into anyone's head while driving,
Nathaniel

Giganti-baby

At our now weekly appointment on Wednesday, August 8th we had what may be our last scheduled ultrasound (I say that because there may need to be one later to determine positions and such).

The ultrasound in question, revealed the baby boy to be a whopping 4 lbs 11 oz! That puts him into the 60th percentile for a singleton baby. Quite large...they even said that. The little girl was 3 lbs 14 oz, which is dainty and puts her in the 30th percentile(s) for a singleton.

The boy is ready to come out, he's headed down, but the girl is hanging out in a transverse position, probably using the boy's massive feet as a couch or something. Add almost 9 lbs of baby and 100+ degree temperatures to the mix and Stephanie is wishing she were someone else. In short, Mother Nature hates us. Don't even get me started on the lawn.

The time is drawing near! Keep us in your thoughts!

I hope our unborn son doesn't eat our unborn daughter,
The N's.

Such Wonderful Family and Friends

Sunday, July 29th we had the third of 3 showers in Holton, KS. It was amazing. Although I was not there to see the unwrapping of what can only be described as a mountain of baby paraphernalia, I was witness to the packing and unpacking of said paraphernalia. By witness I mean I moved a lot of it.

I'd just like to thank anyone and everyone who has helped us out with these unborn children, it is truly amazing and we are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Stephanie will be 33 weeks along on Thursday (or Friday, depending on who you ask, the floating babies think Thursday, the doctor I believe says every Friday). She is getting quite uncomfortable as we apparently live in the middle of the Sahara, which is the only way to explain the lack of rain and hot conditions. You hear me, Gary Lezak? You liar! Ok, it felt good to get that out there.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We're entering the home stretch!

By last count we have over 800 Newborn-sized diapers,

The Norgren Posse

Happy Birthday Stephanie/Mom!!

Today is Stephanie's 29th birthday, later she'll go out for some major drinks and probably stay out all night.

Just kidding! We're in for a low-key birthday filled with Mexican Food and probably an early bedtime. Our lives are on par with the Paint Drying Channel. We, however, do not mind.

Yesterday Gloria surprised Stephanie with a visit from her 2 aunts, Ellen and Jo and two of her cousins, Emma and Meggie. They flew in from somewhere East, near an ocean. Tonight we're picking up Cliff, Susan, Samantha and Jake from the airport and tomorrow going to the last of three baby showers in Holton where we'll see my parents and a ton of other people I'm sure. Here's hoping we get the PlayStation 3 I secretly registered for...for the young ones' entertainnment, of course.

Stephanie got a video camera for her birthday from her man, who would be me, to capture all of the spectacular-ness of the twins when they arrive...and perhaps the occassional throw up.

Well, all for now, but hey, I'm getting more of these in than usual. I must not be working hard enough around the house.

Until next time,
N,BDAYGIRL S & A & B (get all that?)

They ARE human!

Almost like when people found out that soylent green was...people...

Friday, July 13th, we had a 3D ultrasound. Regardless of what some of you may think it was not an ordeal in which we put on red and green tinted glasses and sat in front of a screen in which babies spewed forth toward us. It was more like watching a TV show featuring a lava lamp at times. This was quite the experience, for us and the soon-to-be grandparents, as they could watch the ultrasound via live streaming video (ah, technology). Stephanie had to drink Mt. Dew beforehand so the babies would move; and move they did! She got somewhat uncomfortable because of the length of time of the ultrasound but all in all, it was worth it!

We did get a couple VERY cute pictures as you'll see below. The little boy was more generous with his face time than the girl since she was basically curled around his head and her face was therefore obstructed for most of the time. The pictures below are of the little boy and little girl. The girl's picture is a little skewed due to the fact that it's a profile shot (no, her nose won't look like this in real life) and not a straight on face shot like the little boys.

So, without further ado, check out these cute little floaty people! Talk about being excited!

Cute little boy (baby A)

Cute little girl (baby B)

Leave comments if you think about it, these little buggers need to know they are loved by you all before they take over the world!

They're coming,

The Norgrens