ONE YEAR! My babies are officially a year old! I love them so much I could eat them up. This past year has been filled with MANY smiles and MANY tears.

• The first few months were filled with extreme anxiety, sleepless nights (well I still have those), and trying to figure out how to raise three kiddos. I gave up breastfeeding after a week, spent lots of time in my hometown for extra help and went back to work after 3 months. I am EXTREMELY grateful for my mother and the rest of my family and friends for helping us. Our village was strong and still is.

• When people say, "Oh my goodness, I want twins!". I look at them like they're crazy. I know that sounds mean, but this is NOT easy. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. It has put extreme pressure on every aspect of my life, but it has taught me, changed me, and molded me into a stronger person.

• We had a very simple first birthday party with close family and friends. You'd think I would go all out, but I really didn't have the energy to plan it and I didn't care about going big. No invitations, no balloons, no elaborate decorations. I bought two simple cakes from HEB,  finger foods (meat, cheese, fruit, nuts) and had custom cookies made by ShortBread Baking Co. Not having to cook was a GAME CHANGER! I remember at Turner's first birthday running around like a mad woman trying to prep everything and cook, and I did not want to repeat that. The only thing that took time was making the pom pom garlands and a ONE sign, but making them was so much fun! 

Sleep:

•  Sickness and teething are to blame for horrible sleep, almost worse than when they were a few months old. Walt has been waking up 2-3 times a night, and Whitney wakes at least once sometimes twice. It gets worse when Turner wakes up multiple times in the night and comes in to my room because he's scared of his bed. I feel like a zombie, and rarely get a 2 hour stretch of sleep without being woken up.

• Both babies are usually in bed before 7pm.

• Each baby drinks around 7oz. of milk before bed, and sometimes Walt has his cup in his bed (I'm not a fan of this but Alex does this most nights). The difference between Walt and Whitney is that Whitney takes a pacifier and can be soothed much easier than Walt. If Walt wakes up screaming in the night, good luck trying to get him to go back to sleep without giving him milk. At this point I feel like I need to try the cry it out method, but I really don't want to (I mean who does). Any suggestions?! I tried giving him warm water one night instead of milk and he lost his mind and screamed even louder.

• They are each in their own room, yet Walt's scream can wake the entire house. Both have sound machines as well. 

 Health

• Walt had an ear infection EVEN after tubes, and has been teething like crazy! He had a back molar come in...crazy. The other one is trying to come in so he's been extremely fussy. I can't wait till that kid has all his dang teeth so he can feel better. 

•  It's amazing how different their skin/complexion is. Whitney has very pale and soft/oily skin while Walt has very dry skin. He has really bad eczema right now all over his legs and back. We thought it might be a milk allergy, but there are no other symptoms. We lather coconut oil on him constantly. 

 

Eating:

• They are officially DONE with formula...thank you Jesus. My budget is much happier! They are also done with bottles (except in the night). I will be done with bottles in the next week or so, I just need to get to the store and buy some more cups. 

• They eat table food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My least favorite thing to do in regards to baby duty/chores is to feed them. They are extremely messy, and I constantly worry about making sure they have enough protein, veggies and fruit (all the while I'm eating fruit loops for dinner). 

Growth:

• Clothing - Whitney (12-18 months), Walt (12-18 months)

• Diapers - Size 4 Huggies

• Height: Walt - 29 1/2" (48th percentile), Whitney - 29.2" (51st percentile)

• Weight: Walt - 22 lbs. 7 oz. (72nd percentile), Whitney - 19 lbs. 6 oz. (48th percentile) 

Whitney's Personality

• If she doesn't get her way she throws herself on to the floor and starts sobbing crocodile tears. 

• Walking so well she's basically running. 

• Loves playing chase with me every night before bed. 

• Waves high and bye, points to my nose when I ask where it is, and says Mooooo when I ask what a cow says.

Walt's Personality:

• Laughs at the drop of a hat, especially when I hit myself or he hits himself with any object. He's my goofy baby, and I love it so much.

• Wants to sit on EVERYONE and EVERYTHING, and it's one of my favorite things. He runs towards me like he wants to give him a hug/hold him, and then quickly turns around right before he gets to me and plops his bottom right in my lap. 

I NEVER imagined having twins, and now I don't know what life would be like if I didn't have them....well it would be a lot quieter but there would be a lot less love. Thank you thank you Lord for these beautiful gifts and allowing me to be their mother.