Look Whoo's Turning 1!!!

It feels like it has been a year since Billy and Brooklyn's birth in some ways, and then in other ways, it only seems like it has been a few weeks. I still remember everything about our visit to the doctor that day and then our subsequent admission to the hospital for the birth of our two sweeties. I still remember telling Billy to be sure his bag was packed and in the car. Mommy knew what was coming, daddy didn't. Haha He called his mother a few hours later, somewhat frantic, naming several items to try to locate in our house and to pack in a bag for him. lol I remember complementing our doctor on her scarf that day. Odd but true. I remember her looking rather surprised and telling me how much I had dilated, and that she could feel one of the twins feet. Sorry if that is TMI. I say that because when she said she didn't know which one it was, I knew. It was sweet Brooklyn, who, bless her heart, had been turned to the side the entire pregnancy and was rather tired of being cramped in mommy's tummy. I still remember the powerful feeling the night prior when she decided to get the process "moving" a bit. OUCH. :) She always was a big mover. I am so thankful to Billy for getting this picture of the twins and I following their birth. I wouldn't sell it for a million dollars. You may think I am teasing but I am completely serious. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and to me this one is worth a thousand smiles.



Our twins are incredibly different from one another, but they love each other very dearly. Ah yes, you say, "of course they do." ;) But it is true. They are each their own person, but I have had the blessing of seeing their affection for each other each day, and it is more dear to my heart then you could imagine. Now, that doesn't mean they don't compete in some fashions, or go after the same toy on more than one occasion throughout our mornings and afternoons at home, they are after all normal siblings, but at the end of the day they are each others number one fan. I have witnessed several moments of them this year smiling, holding hands, playing together, and so on. It has been amazing to watch them grow developmentally, physically and mentally each passing day. Here are a few of my favorite photos that capture their incredible bond.













I am continually mesmerized by the closeness they have been given the opportunity to share as a result of being twins. What a blessing it is, and I pray that they will always remain this close.

As I said earlier, our twins have completely different personalities in my opinion.

Brooklyn is strong-willed, independent, curious, and though she is only one, she is quite bright. Proud mommy syndrome...I know. She is very observant and always wants to know how things work. She has always been very interested in learning. Her eyes always light up and she smiles so big when we go through songs, read stories, or play with new toys. She will sit with me and pay close attention as I show her how toys work, and she catches onto things so quickly. She enjoys turning pages in her books and looking at the pictures. Recently she has started babbling to them in her own effort to read. It is so sweet. And while she is independent as I said earlier, she is just as much dependent on mommy. She typically sits right beside me during the day. I realized early that I would need that one on my side, and she certainly is. lol She is one minute older rules the roost as the saying goes. And I eat it up. Brooklyn loves to be with those that she knows best, and for most nights of the week, that includes bedtime. I have decided she really seems to "enjoy" our pillow top mattress and jersey sheets, nevermind that mommy is close by. She has become my "bed buddy" of sorts. And hey, as long as they are sleeping at night, I will do it any which of way. And I have to admit that I enjoy having one of them to cuddle with. But don't tell daddy!

Billy IV has such a kind, loving demeanor. I have always been able to tell how soft his heart is. He gives the sweetest, most gentle looks of anyone I have ever known. Frequently during the afternoon, I will be laying on the floor with them while they play, and Billy will crawl over and get on my back and give me a hug and a kiss. I don't prompt it, he typically just comes on over. I don't have to hear him say I love you to know that he does. He is my little mover, always on the go. He can go from 0-60 in a matter of seconds. He is constantly exploring, and is always surprising me with his level of intelligence. As we work on new words, I always find it funny that Billy doesn't have to watch my mouth or hear words over and over to repeat them. There have been many times that I will say a word one time while looking at an object, and Billy will be looking at the object at the time and just say it plain as day. He is also a soft one like his mommy. I contribute it to being the second born child like I am. As he gets older, I can tell he will be the one to ensure no one gets left out, or no one's feelings get hurt, etc. He entertains himself on his own for large parts of the day, observing different toys and seeing how they work. He has slept through the night for a few months now and it is SO nice!

I have learned a great deal over the past 12 months about our Lord, child-rearing, contentment, fulfillment, prayer, unconditional love, patience, lack of sleep (ha), and myself. It's funny how full your life can seem, and then enters two little ones, and you realize how empty it was prior. And more than that, how quickly you realize what truly is important and what needs to be tossed to the wayside. I still have a ways to go, but Brooklyn and Billy have taught me a great deal about being content with where I am and with what point my life is at. They have helped me to live in the moment and to not wish my life away to the next big thing. They have also have helped me to realize how strong I am emotionally and mentally. That may seem strange to point out, but I can say that after a full year with two infants with basically zero prior experience, and being solely on-call from 12:00 at night until 4:00 PM, mommy is a tough cookie. Especially since we have had a lot of sleep "issues." ;) I'm ready for my backrub dad. :) But I am lucky to have two little ones that have mostly taken it easy on me. They never were the type to just cry or to repeatedly fuss or whatnot (whew, lol). I am so thankful for what I have learned from and with them over the past 12 months. As the saying goes, we may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

As a mother of twins, and just as a mother in general, I have learned what seems like a million things concerning child-rearing. I have changed over a thousand diapers, fed them hundreds of bottles (I can pour four ounces of water in bottle without looking at the fill line. I can tell by the sound of the water filling the bottle when it reaches four ounces), I know that 200 rocks back and forth usually equals a sleeping baby. At least until you go to lay them down in the crib. ha I have learned to follow my intuition, and I now know that sleep isn't a requirement, it is a blessing. The list goes on and on...

This past Saturday we celebrated the twin's first birthday. Their theme was "Look Whoo's Turning One." It was so nice to spend a few hours with the people we are closest too and to celebrate the birthday of the two most precious people in my life. I am so thankful to our Lord for providing us with these two wonderful gifts!