It's hard to believe my precious babies will be one in two months. Like everyone says, the time has flown by, and I have taken special care to soak up and enjoy every moment and detail so as to have no regrets. That doesn't mean I haven't been utterly exhausted at times, or wondered how I would make it to 4:15 when Billy arrives home from work every now and then, but like a good friend told me, it is important to enjoy both the good and the bad moments because they help us to grow. Prior to that realization, I dreaded when the babies would both start fussing or crying every now and then during the day (lucky for me, this has been a rarity because they are both great babies) , or when they would wake up ready to go when mommy had only slept two hours the night before. I have quickly learned how important it is to live minute to minute, and moment to moment. And this has made me appreciate life so incredibly much. It is hard to describe. It feels so amazing to be concentrating on the present and to not be dwelling in the past or future. It is such a release. :) My life has changed dramatically over the past year. I have learned to love more strongly, forgive more easily, pray more fervently, give more freely, to focus on what is important more clearly, and to live more spiritually. I am yet to understand or fathom what I could have ever done to deserve these two precious gifts from God, and something tells me I never will. "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward." (Psalm 127:3) Life with two additions has been a learning process, but it has brought more joy to my life than all my previous 25 years combined. Surprisingly, it has been easier than I thought it would be. Way easier in fact. But then again, they are our first so we wouldn't know any different. ;) Billy and Brooklyn have so much in common, yet also have so many differences and are each their own individual. I have enjoyed watching them grow, smile and giggle, learn new tasks and words, develop independence, and begin to interact more and more. I have tried to keep up with all their similarities and differences so that I can reflect on them as they continue to grow.

Here are a few examples:.
-Billy absolutely loves fruits and does not care for veggies. He makes the most horrible face when I try to feed him sweet peas. Brooklyn, on the other hand, loves veggies and does not care for fruits.
-Billy loves using a green solid rubber/latex pacifier, while Brooklyn prefers a half plastic/rubber Playtex pacifier.
-Billy fights going to sleep at night but then sleeps better when he does falls asleep, all while napping really well during the day. Brooklyn goes to sleep more easily at night, but then usually wakes once or twice a night even thought she often wakes earlier from naps than Billy during the day.
-Brooklyn's favorite toy is a purple puppy called Violet. Billy's favorite toy is a monkey rattle that squeaks or his white baseball.
-During the months of 4-6, Billy LOVED the jumperoo but strongly dislked the johnny jump-up. Brooklyn was "okay" with the jumper but LOVED Johnny jump-up.
-Billy loves eating oatmeal, while Brooklyn loves rice.
-Billy "looks for a good time" and smiles and giggles at just about anything. Brooklyn closely monitors what is going on around her, and smiles/giggles frequently but with careful observation.
-Billy would go to just about anyone as long as it means cuddles, Brooklyn prefers being with someone she knows and is comfortable with.
-Brooklyn is vocal and frequently squeals, growls as we call it, or jibber-jabbers. -Billy is becoming more vocal but is more of a doer than a sayer. He is constantly on the move.

The list goes on and on...

One thing is for sure, I don't know where I would be without my sweeties! I love you Billy and Brooklyn!

Most of the recent pictures of the twins found below are from our trip to the Pumpkin Patch with Ashley! More Halloween stuff to come!!!