How's everyone's summer? Here in MN, it's really off and on. A couple weeks ago we had record heat and now we're 60's and drizzly. Don't even bring up Duluth! I brought the girls to Duluth while Dan went on a BWCA fishing trip. The whole time the weather was not summer-like. Cool, drizzly, foggy...just not nice. BUT, we did have a fun time up north. The girls and I got to spend a lot of time with my good friend Leah and her two girls, Anna and Elsa. One of the best parts was when Leah's parent's little dog ran around and played with the girls because they got in the biggest giggle fits! I could watch that all day. I didn't get any pictures with them but I know Leah did so maybe I'll get them from her at some point and put them on the blog.

Madeline and Sofia exploring all the nooks and cranies at their grandparent's house.

Wagon ride with cousin Peter!

Also when we were in Duluth, Dan's cousin, Tessa, had her high school grad party. Some of Dan's family that hadn't met the girls before finally got to at the party. The girls were a little clingy but warmed up after awhile.

The girls finally had their 18 month well check up. The doctor is pleased with almost every aspect of the girls' health. The one problem was Sofia's weight gain- or lack of. She kind of stalled out the last couple months. The pediatrician suggested PediaSure, but so far she has only had a couple sips. I know she'll be fine, but let's eat more, Sofia! Here are the newest stats on height/weight/etc.

Sofia- 17 lbs 6 oz, 29 1/2 inches tall... not on the growth curve except head at 30th percentile

Sofia is doing a lot better than a couple weeks ago. When I wrote the last update about Sofia, we weren't quite sure what was going on with her. I ended up taking her in after her temp got all the way up to 104.3. The pediatrician found an ear infection and nothing else so we had to do a week of antibiotics. Then, her fever broke but she developed a rash on her body. I had to take her in again to make sure it wasn't a reaction from the antibiotics. Turns out she had roseola... a common and mild illness. I was happy it wasn't serious but bummed it was a VIRUS so I had to wait to see if the other two got it. They share everything! How could they not get it? The day or two once the rash came were really hard because Sofia was pretty miserable. She only wanted me, not anyone else. Anyways,  I think the other two would have gotten it by now but haven't! What a relief!   Since then she feels better but isn't quite herself. She's been clingier to me lately and had a couple of nights where she woke up and was hard to soothe back to sleep. I don't think it's teething because she recently got a couple molars without even a hint of notice.

What are you thinking about, Sofia?

Miss Sofia looking sweet!

 Madeline- 20 lbs 4 oz, 29 inches tall...also not on the curve except head at 30th percentile
Madeline is doing well! The pediatrician said her weight gain was perfect! Recently, she has started making a funny laugh noise that reminds me of their cousin, Dane. Just a silly rough housing noise that you would think came from a toddler boy. She is so funny! I bet she did pick that up from him since
we saw them a lot last weekend.

Blurry, but cute pic of Madeline

Madeline's thinking "Mom! Let's go outside!!!"

 
Josephine- 19 lbs 3 oz, 29 inches tall... same with the other two except head at 25th percentile

Josie is Josie... One of the things I've  noticed about Josie is that overall she is the most even-keeled throughout the whole day and even close to bed time, unless something sets her off (and it is something that other times she would just brush off).  It could be that daddy put her down when she wanted him or someone stole her toy... but when she gets mad, she cannot cool herself down! The other two seem to cool off a little easier, but not Josie. Even if we try to give her the toy she fought over or daddy picks her back up, she still has a tantrum! We have to get creative to distract.

Josie babbling away...

Josie showing off her smile!

Oh yeah...we got a fence! My summer is complete!

Sorry, Odin, your running-away days are OVER!

If the girls weren't toddlers before, they certainly are now. Look out, world! Couple more pics... Have a great rest of the week. We are staying in town this weekend so it should be relaxing (and I hear we'll see the sun again??)

Sorry it's so blurry, but I had to put this up! (M, J, S)

Gotta represent! (M, J, S)

18 Months (TOMORROW!)

Wow, crazy! 18 months is typically a big milestone for development. I'm not expecting them to be quite equal to a full-term 18 month old, but we're getting there. Now that the girls are basically running, I need to hear more words!

This past weekend we had our two reunions- NICU and St. Olaf 5 year. The NICU one was really fun...there was a 3k walk in the morning, then the actual reunion, which was under the Grandstand at the MN State Fair fairgrounds. It included St. Paul and Minneapolis Children's NICUs, so it was packed. I couldn't believe how many people were there! We met a couple other families with higher order multiples, including quints! We also met a family I have known through our very similar stories (Mary and her quads. They were born at 27 weeks and lost one also) It was so great to finally meet her and her family!
   The St. Olaf reunion was fun also. I went for the day with the girls and Dan stayed over. We saw some good friends (I'm sure I missed a lot of friends because there were too many people there to know who all was there!) I didn't get good pics of either reunion because we were just too busy chasing our girls! They were running every which way! Exhausting!

Sofia's little run is super cute. She twists her body and it seems like she can't quite go as fast as she wants. Her legs are getting there!  Right now, Sofia is a little sick. Not sure if it's a virus or possibly heat illness from yesterday. It's really only a fever and lethargy. Her temp was 103 last night and 103.4 this morning. After ibuprofen her temp came down and her spirits were a little higher- actually playing a little. We'll see how she is after her morning nap. This really is the first fever of the girls- impressive we made it this far!

Sofia is feeling better after her nap!

Madeline is doing really well! I'm not sure if I blogged about this already, but Madeline is the best at communicating with me. Well, just along the lines of FOOD. She actually signs "more" to me! I've been half-working on it for a couple months (just in a relaxed way).  An impressive example is after they have eaten, sometimes Dan and I eat dinner while they are playing. They all usually beg by whining, but the other day Madeline actually signed "more", so I HAD to give her some of my dinner.

Madeline giving me a pretty smile!

Josie is great too. Depending on her mood, she'll walk on the sport court, but not always! I never would have thought that'd be something to get used to. She is still the least picky eater and the biggest daddy's girl.

Josie is always photogenic!

    A couple days ago I blew up a little kiddie pool since it was so hot (yesterday Minneapolis was the hottest city in the COUNTRY- what?!?!)  Josie surprised me and was open to trying it out right away. It was cold water from the hose, so she was surprised at first, but she was happy in the pool! She was the first one in! Sofia enjoyed it right away too, but Madeline was watching from a distance for a while. When I put Madeline in she freaked out, but it helped that I sat with her in my lap in the pool. By the end, Madeline liked the pool the most.

Did we hear there was a POOL outside? (Doesn't it even look hot from the picture? So bright out!)

Josie and Sofia are very interested, but Madeline wants to keep her distance!

Josie on left, Sofia on right enjoying the pool

Madeline: "Hmmmm I just don't know about this"

 
 The girls splashing in the pool! (Madeline is on the left kicking her legs, Josie on the right, and Sofia is the one who is standing up.)

The girls love all thing shoes. They love playing with their shoes, and they love taking adult shoes and carrying them around. I thought it'd be funny for them to try on one of my shoes. They thought it was hilarious and if it fell off, they would bring it back to me to put it back on. They couldn't be more TODDLER!! :)

The shoes fit really well, right Sofia?

Madeline loves mommy's shoes!

Josie with mommy's shoe!

The girls have their 18 month appointment in a couple of weeks. I will be interested what they will weigh. This weekend our plan is to go to a friend's cabin unless the girls are sick. Hope you all have a good rest of the week!