Lots to update!

Gummy smiles, Dr appointments, growing babies and SLEEP!

The babies have been VERY busy! The most noteable milestone, they are smiling! Sometime around 6 weeks they started smiling when they were awake (there were tons of sleep smiles before). It's truly the most amazing thing to see their eyes light up and a big gummy smile spread over their face!

We've managed to catch a few of Hudson's smiles on camera, though Harper smiles a lot, it's not when the camera is out. :-(

Here are some pictures of our handsome little man:

Another update, Harper paid a little visit to the pediatrician this week in order to get the Pedi's opinion on her eating habits. Harper loves to eat...you can tell by her cheeks. But she is a very fussy eater. Blake and I have her figured out, after many frustrating feeding sessions. She takes the first 1-1.5 ounces without a problem but after that is when we have to start pulling tricks out of the hat. Walking from room to room, bouncing her, swaddling her tightly all seems to work. Even with all of the hoopla, she still acts as if it's tough to take the remainder of her feeding. So, we brought her in and she was prescribed Zantac for possible reflux issues. The pedi thought maybe she takes the first 1-1.5 ounces fine becuase she's hungry and distracted by the hunger. Then when she's satisfied the immediate hunger, she notices the acid in her tummy and becomes fussy. We're giving her a very small dose of Zantac and hoping it works. She was weighed at the Dr. and at 7 weeks on the dot, she weighed 9lbs4oz......so she's definitely gaining.

Here are a few pics of the princess- we'll get some of her smiling soon even if it means I have the camera in hand all day long! She has the most beautiful smile!

Lastly, the babies are SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEPING for long periods of time at night! Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate! Mommy and daddy feel like new people with a solid chunk of sleep! Honestly, what a blessing! We had just gotten to the point, after 2 really hard nights on Monday and Tuesday night where we sort of threw our hands up in defeat. The babies were waking every 2-3 hours to eat throughout the night and not at the same time so it was 6+ feedings throughout the night and we both were just beat.

Then daddy had a great idea! The babies sleep really well in their carseats so Wednesday night we fed them their bedtime bottle and then put them in the carseats and went for a walk. It was warm outside, the carseats were covered in light blankets to keep the babies covered and all 6 of us went for a little walk (Koko and King are our 5th and 6th family members). We came home, put the babies in their cribs and Harper woke up 5 hours later for a feeding and then went right back to bed. Three hours later, after Hudson had been sleeping for 8 straight hours......the babies woke at 6:30am for a feeding. Last night was an exact repeat, though Harper slept for 6 straight hours last night instead of 5. And the little Mr. had a repeat performance of sleeping 8 solid hours.

We're praying that their little internal clocks are being reset to this new schedule because ours definitely are! :-) The sleep has been heavenly.....and the babies seem much more predictable and happy during the day with this long stretch of sleep at night.

So, that's a little report from the Elliott house. We have been enjoying the beautiful weather, introducing the babies to friends, family and lots of new sights and places. Life is so wonderful right now, every day gets better. I'll sign off with a few new pics of the babies in their "activity gym".

1 Month Old!

We can't believe it's already been a full month since we had our beautiful Hudson and Harper! Life has been exhileratingly crazy and so wonderful, we are truly blessed.

Hudson David

Hudson you are quite a little chunky monkey.....growing SO FAST before our eyes. We had to take you in for an ultrasound on your hips (Because you were breech in utero) and you got weighed while there. You are 10lbs8oz at just 4 weeks old!

You are a great eater-you nurse in the mornings and have breastmilk bottles during the days and formula at night.

You're wearing size 1-2 diapers and have outgrown all of your newborn clothes and are wearing 0-3, 3 month and even a few 6 month old size clothing.

You are so content...anywhere. We can put you in the bouncy seat, boppy, swing, crib or on your tummy- you are pretty comfortable anywhere.

You are so alert during the day- always looking around with the most curious eyes.

You are so aware of your hands....it always looks like you are playing the harp or air guitar...hands and arms are constantly moving.

You have the cutest, raspy cry. I love it.

You are so strong- the last week your neck has gotten so strong that when we have you chest-to-chest to burp you or during tummy time, you can lift up your head on your own.

You hold the pacifier in your mouth with both hands when you have a paci.

You seem to enjoy baths.....in fact you were so relaxed one bath that you slept (and peed) through it!

You have recently starting wrapping your arms around our neck when we pick you up....like a little hug. It's heavenly.

You are often referred to as punkin, Huds, Hudsy and Hud the Stud

You are really starting to look like daddy and Grandpa Dave- your eyes are turning darker each day and there are some expressions that sort of shock mommy because you look so much like daddy

You are a total lovebug and we love you more and more every day. It is an absolute joy waking up to you everyday!

Harper Rae

Our tiny little peanut is also filling out! Though still tiny and petite, you are really starting to round out- especially in those cheeks! ;-) At a few days shy of 4 weeks old, you were weighed at our lactation consult and you weighed 7lbs6oz!

You are a girl who knows what she wants.....when it's time to eat you go after the bottle quite ferociously! That is usually for the first ounce....then it's a bit of a game to get you to take the next 2-3 ounces.

You are not nursing, but having breastmilk in bottles during the day and formula at night.

You are wearing newborn diapers and can still fit into your newborn clothes...mommy's so happy because she doesn't want you growing too fast.

You love laying in your boppy, love the bouncy chair but when you have had enough stimulation- you like to be swaddled up real tight and put in your crib- away from the activity.

You are most alert early in the morning and early evening- looking around with such curious eyes and finding light or following daddy and my voice.

You really seem to enjoy baths.

You are quick tempered- we say you go from 0-100 so quickly that it gets a bit dramatic at times.

You are so strong....you also have a very strong neck and legs. You're lifting your head up on your own when doing tummy time or when burped and everyone is really amazed at how strong your tiny little legs are!

You have the most beautiful blue eyes and such long lashes- your eye's are quite captivating.

You still have such an adorable dimple on your right cheek.

People have said they think you look like mommy, aunt Kimmy and Grandma Marit.

You are often referred to as peanut, Harps, and sweet cheeks.

You are such a sweet and loving little doll...you are a complete joy and we feel so lucky to be your parents.

Our 3 week beauties!

We're 3 weeks old already and really changing!
Some noteable changes:

Hudson

My eye's are getting darker and darker...mom and dad (and grandma's and aunties) all think I will have brown eyes and dark hair.
I'm eating a TON and growing big! Our 2 month check up is schedule for the end of July- but daddy is pretty set on buying a little scale for us since it seems we pack on the pounds daily!
I am SO strong! I like to hold my neck up on my own, and push my legs against my mom's tummy when she's holding me so that I'm almost standing.
I'm laid back and easy- just as mommy and daddy predicted. I cry if I am tired, wet or hungry. Otherwise, I'm a pretty laid back little guy!

Harper

My eye's are still very blue and everyone thinks they are going to stay that way!
The beautiful, silky hair on the top of my head is starting to fall out..so mom is ready with headbands because with all the hair on the sides/back...we need a big bow or flower to offset the balding :-)
I eat a TON too, even though I'm a tiny little peanut. I am also VERY strong for my size! I have a very strong neck and legs- a ballerina perhaps?
Mommy and I went to a lactation consult on Friday and they weighed me....I'm already up 2+ lbs since birth which puts me at 7lbs5oz!
I am also a bit of a drama mama- I know what I want when I want it.

We've loved all of the visitors- can't wait to update their baby books with all of the loving visits and gifts we've recieved from everyone! These babies are loved, no question!

Life is pretty amazing!

Side Note: I have tried posting this for a whole week and it will NOT let me upload pics. I am still working on it.....we've got some really adorable pics to share!

2 week old babies- picture post!!!

Here are a few pics of what the babies have been up to the last 2 weeks!

Harper and Hudson meeting their Uncle Adam for the first time- 4 days old
Proud cousin Izaak, holding Harper. He loves his cousins SO much and they love him!

Annie and I with our babies....they are just over 2 weeks apart!

Michelle with 2H :-)Tummy time- 4 days old! Strong little babies, both moved their heads side to side!

Playdate with their buddy, Carmichael- 5 days old
Afternoon with the Hills who were visiting from NYC!

Family Photo...and mommy's not wearing pajamas! Great success! :-)

The Elliott's.....all of us! Love this pic!

Action shot...Hudson exploring with his hands and Harper not liking all the pics!

First outing- Edina Art Fair- 11 days old

Jenn visits from Texas and playdate with Carmichael and Greta- their May birthday buddies!

Sibling love....watch out Harper, brother Hudson is about to get your nose!

Lots and lots of fun, visitors and love in the Elliott house! Life sure is amazing! Hudson and Harper are having longer periods of "awakeness" which is wonderful because we get to see their beautiful eyes! They both are VERY strong and try so hard to hold their heads up on their own. They are eating 2-4 ounces each feeding, every 3 hours so watch out......they are growing FAST! They had their first pediatrician appointment at 9 days old and both looked healthy as can be. At that time, Harper was 5lbs12oz and Hudson was 7lbs10oz. Hudson had almost gained his birthweight back and Harper is packing on the pounds, trying to catch up to her brother.

We've taken several walks....they LOVE the outdoors. We've taken a few trips to Target and Sams Club- they always cause quite a scene while out and about which makes our shopping excursions quite lengthy...though we don't mind one bit showing them off.

I hear babies waking up, time to sign off! Thank you for your love, prayers, emails, calls, texts, presents and visits! Harper and Hudson have the BEST circle of family/friends! They say they love you SOOOOOOO much!

Many Blessings,

Blake, Noelle, Hudson and Harper

Newborn Pics....Sneak Peek

Here is a little sneak peek at the babies newborn session with a GREAT photographer who wanted to use our beautiful babies for her website!

We are definitely baised.... but aren't they gorgeous!?!?

Harper and Hudson were awesome....very cooperative throughout the whole shoot with just a few small exceptions. Hudson peed on his sister- we think it was an accident ;-) And Harper pooped on the quilt that the photographer was using for a backdrop. Ha! Way to leave your mark, babies!

More pics of Week 1, first pedi appointment and maybe even a video if I can figure out how to add it to the blog!

Lots and lots of love,

The Elliotts

Welcome to the world Hudson and Harper!

As you can imagine, life around our house is quite crazy these days! I've got 10 minutes before it's time to feed Hudson....but thought I should take advantage of the free minute to update with pics.

I'll post details of their birthday a little later...help is on the way (ie: Grandma CooCoo (Ida)) so I'll get time in the next few days to post the wonderful, life changing details.

For now.....here are our two beautiful miracles! We are feeling blessed beyond words and SO in love with these two!

Many Blessings,

Blake, Noelle, Hudson and Harper

BIRTH day!

It's HERE! Today I am 38 weeks pregnant and today our babies will be born.
Unreal!
There really are no words (even for this chatty Cathy) to describe all that I (we) are feeling as we prepare to go to the hospital to meet our babies. We have dreamed, prayed, and loved these two from the moment we saw them on the ultrasound when they were only 5 weeks and 6 days old!
And now we get to see them, kiss them, hold them and promise them a lifetime of love. It's completely surreal.
Blake and I have been on quite an emotional high so the tears have been flowing in our house.....so I'm gonna sign off before I start to get weepy again.
BUT, here is one last belly pic! I'll miss a lot of things about being pregnant...but I am pretty sure I am ready to lose this bump.....err mountain!

Next time we update.......we'll have baby pics, names, stats and lots of proud parents stories already I am sure!