Blessing Day

First solids

So we waited until their blessing day to feed them solids - it was a fun day at Opa's and Oma's.

Family picture time

It was wonderful to be with extended family to have pictures taken at the Capitol.

Christmas Morning at Oma's and Opa's

We experienced the magic of Christmas morning with the Jaggis, Blewitts, Oma and Opa. It is wonderful to see children on Christmas morning - no matter how old they are.

Christmas at Mimi's and Papa's

It is amazing to think how year after year I posed in front of this tree and now I am here with my own wife and children.

Our gifts under the tree.

Onkie

The babies love their Onkie

Chistmas Eve at Oma's and Opa's

It was wonderful to be with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Meeting Santa

Mrs. and Mr. Bug meet Santa!

Meeting Gram

For us it was worth coming home for Christmas in spite of the expense just to give the babies a chance to meet our family. Babies - meet Gram. Gram - meet the babies.

Babies First Flight!

Looking forward to seeing everybody, waiting for our flight in Hamburg Airport. Little did we know how "adventurous" it would be to fly with babies. We were just grateful for kind fellow passengers who immediately volunteered to help.

Christmasmarket fairyfright

Hansel and Gretel Nativy scene

Family togetherness

We never get the four of us together.

Thank you shoe closet!

Meal time conundrum

Meal time conundrum (Click for video)

Martha Washington

Martha Washington (click for video)

Can't get enough of baby lips that simply must pucker.

Missing You

Missing You (click for video)

He is out of town. She made him a video.

Twinsies

Twinsies

PJs

PJs (click for video)

Twin Buds

Buddies

Finding voice

I think I sing to Isabella and Henry in maybe 40% of my verbal communications. And I suppose roughly half of those are made-up.

I'm not sure why; mothering just comes out of me this way.

I was wondering in the shower this morning if that means the babies will sing to me their tantrums if when?! [finger crossed here] they get to those. At least 40% of the time?

Baby girl kisses

My favorite delight of late are Miss Bubble's kisses. When I give her kisses, she accepts them. When I say, "Kiss [Miss Bubbles]!" and kiss her, she smiles or laughs with glee. When I say "Kiss Mama!" and put my face to her cheek, she opens her mouth, then smiles at me. She incidentally is also a fan of eskimo and butterfly kisses. Love the sweet kisses, love more that she likes them announced!

Somehow I missed doing this with Mr. Dimples, though he's catching on quickly!

Füssen

We visited Stadt Füssen
(which translates to City of Feet)

We enjoy having Mimi here.

The city is beautiful, with frescos on many of the village homes and civic structures.

Announcement

[email sent to family on the day of their birth]

Dear Family,

We wanted to announce to you that our sweet babies were born on Saturday, May 30th. Sarah and babies are doing well. Both babies are in the NICU. Our little girl is breathing well on her own but our little boy has had a bit more difficult time with this. We hope you would be willing to keep them both in your prayers. The doctors expect both of them to be fine, they just need a bit more time with some TLC from the über competent medical personnel to help them get over a few initial hurdles. We are VERY excited and will be sending you another update with additional details and pictures soon.

We love you all!
He, She and babies

Welcome in!

(Lady Bug, left - Mister Bug, right)


These delightful little dumplings joined our family today.

This first picture of them outside the womb
captures the sweet babies
minutes after their delivery.

Lady Bug
5/30
4.56 am
4 lb 0 oz
17.76 inches

Mister Bug
5/30
4.59 am
6 lb 7 oz
19.3 inches

Strawberries and musli - just before I went into the hospital

From her office in Starnberg

Weihnachtsmarkt In Rosenheim

Thanksgiving turkey ala SMSW

Spring walk in the neighborhood

Dusk.

Not going on a trip - just going to the grocery store!

Skating in Lüneburg - kind of like Classic Skating

Expert Skypers

Mr. Wonderful

He in his Sunday best on the train to church.

She's still got it!

Mrs. Bavaria was clearly on her trainride home from the meadows, after a day of cross country skiing. With her boots neatly off, she was writing in her calendar when I interrupted her with this photo. She was otherwise very cheery, though clearly suspicious of me here, wondering what I was doing.

Little House on the Prairie.

He thought this picture of she as Laura Ingalls was particularly funny.
Almost as funny as she finds imagining he, at a tender age, sitting close to the TV shedding uncontrollable tears with Mary and Laura. Turns out she doesn't even like the show, though her faux fur-trimmed hat and prairie skirt might earn her character privileges.