12 months=ONE YEAR=wow....

My friend Linda asked me yesterday how I felt about the babies turning a year old. I gave her the short version and then had some more time to think, so here's the long one!

There are tons of emotions coming from me today....shock is one of them! Everyone always says how fast the time goes when the kids are little, but I didn't get just how fast it could really be! I feel like it was yesterday that it took forever and a day for me to even get pregnant. The countless hours in the doctor's office, the bloodwork, the driving, feeling exhausted from all of the above. It was not how I ever envisioned starting a family would be, but I wouldn't trade my experiences for the world. They have made me see just how very strong I can be.

Once I was pregnant (times two!) it really started to move quickly. I was lucky to have a greatpregnancy and felt great up until delivery (well, besides not sleeping very well!)

I am extremely grateful today. As some of you know, the birth of the babies took a horrible turn and I almost didn't make it through. I didn't get to hold my precious babies until 48 hours after they were born and I spent some time in the ICU. I cannot put into words just how very thankful I am to be here to see my babies grow up and love every minute of the little family Dave and I have created. My mind sometimes strays to the "What could have beens" and I know just how very lucky I am! I have also been blessed enough to get to stay home for this first year..something I never thought I would get to do.

I am proud. Proud of my babies and how much they can do. They went from doing absolutely nothing but crying, eating, sleeping and pooping to running around the living room and giggling at each other. I am proud also of Dave and I and the fact that we made it through this first year together. The beginning especially was ROUGH and it felt like we would never sleep again! We had our share of ups and downs but made it through in one piece!

I am nostaligic. Remembering those first moments in the hospital..seeing them for the first time, the first doctor's appointment, the first time they rolled over, sat up and took steps.

I am excited. Excited to see what the next year will bring us. There are so many things to look forward to and I can't wait to share them with the Dynamic Duo!



Dear Gavin,

You were born first and you were the first little cry I got to hear. You are growing into such a sweet little boy and are doing so many new things. You can walk and are getting more and more steady every day. We call you the mellow one. Most of the time, that is quite true. You've always been more quiet, observant and easy to please. You've also always been our saving grace when it comes to sleep! You didn't mind your crib from early on and did a great job sleeping from way back when.

I love to watch you play. You just love to check out everything about the toy you are playing with. You flip over every single one as if to see how it's all put together and where the batteries go. You are very full of wonder and I just love that about you. You are also starting to climb on everything. In fact, I caught you on the couch just yesterday. You had the remote in your hand like a prize!

There's a side to mellow Gavin that cracks us all up. When you are mad, you are MAD! You need a shirt that says "Warning...I bite!" and don't hesitate to flash those chompers when Camryn steals a toy. You also love to scream when you want something. Scream a lovely high pitched scream. You're catching on that it's getting you what you want. Hmmmmmm...maybe we should stop that!

Your little smile could light up a whole city. You don't just smile with your mouth, you do it with your entire face. You flash those 8 little teeth in the sweetest grin and it melts me every time. You are such a sweet boy Gavin and I always ask you to stay that way...I can only hope you'll listen!

I love you so much my big boy! Happy First Brithday!

Love,
Mommy

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Dear Camryn,

You were the second sweet cry I got to hear one year ago today. You are my little over achiever. Sitting, crawling and walking early. You walked at 9 months and have been non stop ever since! I like to call you the mayor..especially when we go out and you sit in the front seat of the stroller waving to anyone who looks your way. You are also willing to pull out your bag of tricks for anyone who will hang around long enough to watch.

You had a rough beginning, with terrible crying spells from gas pains and reflux. Sleep and the crib were NOT your friend until at last we hit 7 months. Now you'd never know what you put us through back then! You've outgrown the beloved swing and ditched the binky months ago and go to sleep (with a smaller fight) and are doing so well!

You crack me up on a daily basis. You try to mimic words, run around the living room and have a new fake cry to try to get your way. You love to bang toys together and try to copy what I am doing or saying. I (and Gavin and Daddy) have a feeling that once you really start talking none of us will be able to get a word in!

I just love it when you wrinkle up your nose and show your teeth in a huge smile. My very favorite thing you do is put your head on my shoulder and say ahhhhhhhhhhhhh as you hug me. A close second is your wet "kisses" you try to plant on me. Oh, and any day you'd like to add "mama" to your increasing vocabulary will be great. I'll be (im)patiently waiting.

I love you so much my big girl! Happy First Birthday!

Love,
Mommy



I love both of you more than you could ever know!!!



Now for some pics from today...
Waking up this morning..

How old are you?

And our monthly shots:



More pictures to come after the big bash on Sunday!

I just wanted to add one more thing..a shout out for my hubby:) Since he got home a little late from work we really didn't have time to sing and do cake right before bed since they were so tired. Dave disappeared from the bedtime routine for a few minutes and returned with 2 discs of banana with candles sticking out so we could officially sing. Boy do I love that man!