Merry Christmas

What a perfect Christmas centered around the birth of Christ, love, and family. I could not have hoped for a more special first Christmas celebrated at home.

Happy Thanksgiving

We are so blessed, Little Ones.

Last Thanksgiving was spent with a spirit of solemn gratitude. We were still in much pain from the passing of your great-grandmother, and yet also so thankful for you all and your health. It was a quiet evening, not filled with the loudness of our typical house. There was a piece of all of us missing without my grandparents with us. There was a piece of all of us missing without you all, our newest, tiniest, and what seemed like the only, reason for our joy. And so while we were so thankful, it was just a different year.

This year was such a Thanksgiving of celebration for me and our family. You boys have come so far this year, shocking not just us, but doctors as well! You are our tiny little miracles and we are so thankful for you both. I am so thankful for our family. I am thankful for the closeness between us all. For the support we show one another. For the friendship shared among us all.

Life is a beautiful roller coaster of ups and downs. This journey to you boys, and now with you, has definitely taught me that. There are so many things that happen that we can't always explain or understand, but through it all, there is much to be thankful for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Hungry Little Caterpillars

Saturday was your big day boys, your first birthday party. We were so excited to celebrate you both with our family. It was such a fun day! I'll let the pictures do the talking...

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday

How fun to celebrate a full year with you little boys! Daddy took the day off to spend some special time with the birthday boys. For lunch you visited me at school (you were quite the hit and loved by all my students!) and then we had a blast playing that night. New Legos, birthday books, bath-time fun, and a surprise visit from Paka. It was a fun, full day!

12 Months...ONE YEAR!

Wiley

• You are an official walker at this point. While it's still a little shaky, you seem to prefer walking to crawling. You are even starting to be able to bend for a toy, stand back up, and keep walking!
• You are still chatting all the time. I still don't think you call us "mama" and "dada" intentionally, but you sure have mastered those sounds.
• You are trying to communicate and tell us things more now. When you need our attention, you often give a loud shout.
• You have started clapping now and will do so on command.You also wave hello and goodbye (not to strangers so much, but definitely to mommy, daddy, and other familiar faces).
• You now like to dance too! You bend your knees and do a swaying, bounce move anytime music comes on.
• You are still toothless, but the slobber seems to be increasing...so maybe sometime soon!

 Ryan

• You have taken your first steps and now take several at a time. Depending on what you're walking towards, depends on how far you're willing to go!
• You are still chatting all the time. You are making many different sounds and imitating more and more of what you see and hear.
• Your love for music hasn't lessened. No matter where we are: at home, in the store, in the car, if you hear music, you're dancing!
• You wave hello and goodbye on command. We have begun working on blowing kisses too!

We prayed so hard and long for you little boys. It seemed like we may never have the opportunity to be parents. And yet, here we are, celebrating your first year of life. You have brought a joy, deeper than we ever knew, to our home. It is just amazing to reflect back on this first year. You have been fighters since before you were even born. Once here, you continued fighting, defying the odds and reaching milestones much faster than you should have as preemies. It's amazing to think how far we have come in a year.  Happy Birthday, our sweet Wiley. Happy Birthday, our cuddly Ryan. We love you so much and look forward to all your lives have to offer you.

Snow Day

Today...in the middle of November...we had our first snow day! While I'm the queen of the snow dance and praying for snow days, I really didn't want one quite this early.

However, I quickly got over it and was thrilled to have an extra day home with my babies! Although this wasn't your first official snow fall, last year you were way too little to understand / care about snow. I was itching all day to get you outside and play in it, but since you'd never experienced it before, we didn't want daddy to miss out on the fun.

By the time he got home from work, it was way too cold to go outside (we're talking in the teens...in November!! Crazy!!). So, we got creative and brought the snow to you! You weren't too sure about it and were hesitant to touch it, but still all of these firsts are just so fun!

National Preemie Day

Did you know, my little preemies, you were born just two days after National Prematurity Day? I was doing some reading on some of my favorite preemie sites today which mentioned a lot of the risks of prematurity. As I read risk after risk, I was overwhelmed with such gratitude for the miracle God has worked in your life.

We knew that there were many things to fear when we were first hospitalized, but all we could do was pray. When you were born 10 weeks early, again, we knew there was much to fear, but all we could do was pray. The first several weeks of your life, we faced many tests that would reveal problems you may have. And test after test, you both defied the odds and passed all of them with no concerns. God has had you both in His hands since before you were even born. I know He was such great plans for your lives.

Splish Splash

Tonight you had your first big boy bath! Two slippery, mobile, curious babies sure made for an interesting experience to say the least.

 

Happy Halloween

Yuck, what a cold and rainy Halloween we had. We decided not to take you boys out, but instead hung out at home with Zsu Zsu, Paka, and TseTse, passing candy out to the trick-or-treaters. Don't worry, you still had a chance to dress up too. Plus, last weekend we took you up to General Butler to go trick-or-treating with your cousins. You boys absolutely loved the wagon your daddy made for you. You were squealing and clapping your hands all night while we trick-or-treated through the camp ground.

We also let you "help" us carve the pumpkins. Wiley, you didn't seem to like the feel of the goop of the pumpkin, yet you couldn't help but to keep reaching in it to feel it again. Ryan, you quickly realized the pumpkin was something new to make noise and music with; you pounded on the side nonstop.

It's so fun experiencing all these firsts with you boys. It's been a fun month of October, enjoying the fall season and your first Halloween.

 

play

11 Months

Wiley

• 17 lbs 2 oz; you are in size 3 diapers (starting today! they look so big!) and finally wearing 6 month clothes. You are growing quickly though and it's clearly you won't be in this size for long (this will be the first size that probably doesn't last us more than 4 months!)
• No teeth yet, but I'm sure they'll pop up any day now. You slobber as much as your brother now and are biting hard on everything you can.
• You like to let go when standing; you can stand alone now for several seconds at a time now
• You have taken your first steps already! You used to only take steps to me or daddy, but you are becoming more daring. You have taken up to six - eight steps across the living room when trying to get to your toys now.
• You like to show your distaste for food by blowing raspberries and spitting it back at us. You have seem to grown more picky with foods in the past month or so. You really don't seem to like any "dinner" foods (uh-oh -- did you get this picky trait from me?!) and vegetables are hit or miss.
• When we say, "Yay! Clap Wiley!" you throw one hand into the air, grin, and twist your hand around.
• Your smile still lights up the room and warms all hearts. You continue to smile with mouth and eyes. It's our favorite is when you are just sitting and playing in your own little world, look up and make eye contact with us, and give us one of your brightest smiles.

Ryan

• 15 lbs 2 oz; you are in size 2 diapers and wearing 6 month clothes.
• You have two teeth! Your bottom two teeth came in a couple weeks ago. Thankfully, this first round of teething really didn't seem to effect you too negatively at all. There was really no extra fussing, just a lot of extra slobber!
• Last month, when we'd try to get you to stand alone, you would squat, refusing to try! But now, you will show off your skills and can stand alone for several seconds.
• You aren't quite ready to take those first steps yet, although I know you could. You walk one handed, hardly holding on with your toy walker. Just like crawling, I know it'll be in your own time when you are good and ready. You watch Wiley take his steps and I just imagine you taking notes and analyzing exactly how to do it. You can tell you're getting ready to walk because now you crawl with one leg hiked up, ready to stand up. You can get yourself to a stand from the floor too.
• Although your weight still doesn't reflect it, you are our eater. There's not much you won't eat and even when it's not your favorite, you usually eat without too much fight.
• When we say, "Yay! Clap, Ryan!" you immediately start to clap and shout.
• You still just love music and it brings a smile to your face every time you hear it. Any song, hum, or even just a beat, you start to bounce, clap, and sing. We were bouncing the ball the other day and caught you dancing to the rhythm of the bounce.

I just cannot believe that in one month we will no longer have babies in our house! This has been an insanely fast, but fabulously fun year.  You both continue to amaze us every day with all you learn to do. It is so fun watching your personalities develop and seeing how what you have in common and how you are different. I don't know how it is possible, but we continue to fall even more in love with you both as time goes on.

Fall Break

We made it...fall break is here! One whole week off to snuggle and love on my not so babyish-babies! Today we celebrated and kicked off fall break at a local orchard. It was so nice; we basically had the place to ourselves. While there you both experienced your first hayride, corn maze, and pumpkin picking! It's safe to say you both loved it; Wiley you were all smiles and Ryan you were shouting all day with excitement. What a fun way to start our week together!

10 Months

Wiley

• 15 lbs 10 oz
• You are still on the move at all times! You pull yourself up on everything and walk abound while holding on
• You are starting to stand without holding on for just a couple seconds or so
• You are jabbering up a storm: mama, dada, baba, lala. These sounds still don't have any meaning, but you sure love to talk.
• You have copied your brother's silly face and will scrunch up your nose while making a silly breathing sound through your nose. You will make this face on command when others do it to you
• You seem to be our picky eater. If you don't like something, you grunt, cry, close your mouth and refuse to eat it. If we happen to slide it in there somehow, you gag and struggle to swallow it
• When I first went back to work, you boycotted naps for Zsu Zsu, but seem to be back on schedule, taking typically two naps a day and sleeping through the night again. However, you do seem to be our night owl; you don't like going to bed quite as early as your brother (your bedtime typically is 8:30 - 9) and you usually wake before him.
• You love taking walks and swinging in your big boy swing
• When you are excited you squeal with excitement 

Ryan

• 14 lbs
• You are still on the move at all times! You pull yourself up on everything and walk abound while holding on
• You are starting to stand without holding on for just a couple seconds or so
• You are jabbering up a storm: mama, dada, baba, lala. These sounds still don't have any meaning, but you sure love to talk
• Your scrunched up-frustrated face is now one you make just to be silly, knowing it will get a laugh. You will do it on command too when others do it to you
• While your weight doesn't reflect it, you are our eater. You love just about everything and it seems as if we can never feed you enough
• You still love your sleep (except for today!). You get two solid naps a day and sleep through the night. You like to go to bed earlier than your brother (usually between 7:15 and 7:45) and sleep later too (usually between 7:30 and 8).
• You love your morning walks with Zsu Zsu and swinging in your big boy swing
• When excited you shout and bang your hand on the coffee table or couch. You still love music! You clap and dance when any music comes on.

One year ago today, I was put on bed rest and four days later hospitalized. It seems like just yesterday we were fighting for your lives, praying that God grant us this miracle. We tried to hold on to our faith and believe that God wouldn't let us lose you boys, but there was definitely fear and pain. We committed to staying positive and doing whatever it would take to keep you boys safe. Here we are, one year later with the healthiest, happiest ten-month olds we could ever ask for. God has shown our family such mercy with your lives. We will never be able to thank Him enough, but will try by making the most out of your two precious lives He gifted us. We love you boys so much. Thank you for bringing light and laughter back into our home. Thank you for fixing our broken hearts and bringing joy back into our lives. You have healed me, Wiley and Ryan. You have given my life such purpose. Happy ten months, sweet boys.

9 Months

Wiley

• 14 lbs 6 oz
• You are constantly on the move! We can't leave you alone for a second or you will already be into something you probably shouldn't be...you especially love to chomp on shoes. You will also now crawl to your toy box when you are finished with a toy, look through the box, and pick out the new toy you'd like to play with!
• The second we lay you on your belly or back, you roll right up to a sitting position. You want to be looking around and seeing everything around you
•  You are pulling up constantly: on the couch, crib, tables, anything at eye level
• You get jealous when I'm nursing your brother alone. You immediately begin to cry, crawl over, climb on top of me, and wiggle your way in so that you can nurse too!
• You are talking up a storm! You have many different sounds that you're saying: mama (not for me yet, but producing the sounds), lala, baba, dada (not for daddy yet, just the sound), and a various combinations of those sounds together. We have been teaching you some sign language too and you are beginning to respond to those "words" as well (you stop crying when we sign "food" or "more" to you, acting as if you recognize what these words and signs represent).
• When frustrated, you sit real still, looks down, and makes a slow, low grunting noise. (I'm thinking you do this when you're tired now too.)
• You still like to wake up in the middle of the night for a midnight snack (usually between 1-3) and again at 5:00 for a quick snack before your real breakfast at 8:00
• Your face lights up when me and Daddy get home from work, you close your eyes, and let out an adorable squeal!

Ryan

• 13 lbs 1 oz
• You are an expert crawler now, but don't move around quite as much as your brother. You seem a little more thoughtful in your crawling - you have to really want something to go get it
• You aren't very interested in sitting up. Seemingly, you'd rather just stand and be able to walk already
• You are pulling up constantly: on the couch, crib, tables, anything at eye level
• You are beginning to make some sounds when talking to us: baba seems to be the sound you make most often. When you are very excited and very sleepy, you shout. It is this great, deep shout (not a cry, but a very adorable and different sound from your typical babble). You love to giggle too and are easy to make laugh.
• You crawl to us and put your hands on our face when you want to give and receive smooches. 
• When frustrated, you scrunch up your nose and breath really quickly and heavily. It is hysterical.
• You love to eat. And you don't really like having to wait for Wiley to be fed with you during cereal / food feedings. However, on the times when we have fed you alone and first, you did not like seeing Wiley get to eat alone either. In fact you crawled right over, begging to be fed, and ended up getting a second, mini dinner!

 

• You love your sleep! You sleep at least 11 hours every night and still take really solid naps (usually an hour and a half each)
• Your face lights up when me and Daddy get home from work and you crawl over to give and receive smooches!

Life sure is fun now that you are both so active. You keep us busy and moving all the time. It is exciting watching you explore and discover this big, new world all around you.

Our Last Day

"Time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with. It responds like a snail to our impatience, then it races like a gazelle when you can't catch a breath."

How has it already been nine months? Tomorrow I go back to work. But today I spent the day kissing you way too much, snuggling with you, playing, singing, reading, and just soaking it all in.

Extra snuggles in bed this morning

My favorite time of day - getting you up after your morning nap

It's official. You Wiley, are my child...you love your books. After reading two books, I had to change your brother's diaper. When I turned around, you had crawled to the bookshelf to pick out another. Making me even more proud, you picked a Christmas one!

After your afternoon nap we headed to the park. You still couldn't quite fit in a swing by yourself. So we problem solved...oh the beauty of having a twin!

Today (and the last nine months for that matter) went way too fast. I dread waking up tomorrow and starting this next chapter, but I know you will be in great hands with your Zsu Zsu. And trying to find the good in this, I do look forward to seeing your faces light up like this when I walk in the door each day...

 I love you my sweet boys and will miss our quiet days spent together.