Twins-11 Months

About a year ago I was admitted to the hospital at 30 weeks gestation with pre-term labor.  I remember saying to the OB that saw me that day, "You need to help me keep these babies in for two more weeks."  For some reason, 32 weeks seemed to be an OK gestation for me, but 30 weeks was scary.  Every Monday morning when I woke up at the hospital was a milestone:  31 weeks, then 32 weeks, 33 weeks...I asked to go home a few days before 34 weeks.  I was so sick of laying in the hospital bed, (plus the crazy itching had started and I was going insane!).  My OB, Dr. Fahnlander, let me go home that day, because she knew I'd be a "compliant patient." 

I can't believe we will be celebrating your birthday next month. You just don't seem "old enough" to be 1 yet!  I am having a lot of fun planning your big day.  Yes, many people will say, "why did you go to the trouble?  They won't remember this anyway."  I think the first birthday is a big deal and you may not remember it, but I will make sure to take lots of pictures and videos for you to look back on.  This is also a big celebration for mom and dad because it means we survived the first year of raising twins!  That in itself calls for a big party! 

Lauren:  I just love your little personality!  I predict you will be our most challenging child in the future because you are stubborn and like to be catered to :).  I know you can hold your own bottle, but you refuse to.  You climb stairs like you've been doing it for months, although just recently decided to show off your skills.  You can also stand for very brief moments without holding onto anything.  You continue to be the talker and sometimes you get into some very serious arguments/conversations with certain toys.  Unfortunately, you remain a finicky eater.  Sometimes you eat great and other times, you only want a few bites of food.  You have FINALLY figured out how to feed yourself, but once again, I'm sure you could have done this weeks ago, but just now decided to show us.  You little Princess!  Favorite foods include yogurt, chicken, green beans, and watermelon.  Your daycare providers have told me that you can be a toy stealer too, (so don't always complain that your brother is stealing your toys).  You crawl right up to a friend, take their toy, then spin around on your little bottom to keep the toy away from the friend.  No teeth yet, and no sign that anything is going to pop through soon.  You sleep well and are now waking up later in the morning after we transitioned you to one nap a day.  You have less stranger anxiety than you did a few months ago and will smile your big, squinty eye smile, at complete strangers sometimes. 

Posing with Cousin Grace

 



Caleb:  As I've said before, you are all boy!  You are more aggressive when it comes to playing with toys or crawling, and love anything with wheels.  Your big sister loves to wrestle with you and you just laugh and laugh when she plays with you.  It is the best sound.  You continue to eat well and your favorite foods are chicken, watermelon, and cheese.  There is little you don't like.  You continue to be a speedy crawler and stair climber.  You enjoy cruising around the furniture or using mom and dad as a jungle gym.  No standing alone yet.  Your second front tooth finally came through, so you look less like a hillbilly.  I'll be honest, I like the toothless smiles and will miss them!  Your attention span is like your daddy's, and you move from toy to toy to toy when you play.  Thankfully, you continue to be a great sleeper. 

Playing with Aunt Pat

 



Today was one of those days where I reminded myself of how lucky I am to have healthy children.  I never could have predicted I would have the family I have now, but I love my little ones and am so thankful to have such an involved husband!  I am so glad to have family nearby as well.  Last week, Cousin Sheila and her daughter Grace, were back from California. It was great to get together with them and Aunt Pat and Uncle Will Will.