JJs birthday party

I think that this will be my last post :(

The twins are ONE and today we are celebrating with our closest friends and family. It has been an amazing year; more challenging and rewarding than we ever expected.  

We took the twins for their 12 month check up on Thursday.  Here are their stats.

James:

Weight 17 lbs (5th percentile)

Height 29 inches (10th percentile)

Head Circumference (50th percentile)

Josie:

Weight 14.5 lbs (3rd percentile)

Height 27 inches (5th percentile)

Head Circumference (40th percentile)

Both James and Josie are small but they always have been so their Dr is not worried.  Plus, their proportionally large heads mean that their bodies are focusing their nutrients on brain growth which is of course much more important than height and weight.  

They also met and exceeded all the 12 month milestones.  They can both say 4 words, use sign language to communicate 6 words, respond to our cues and use emotions and gestures to communicate their feelings.  Physically they are right on track: crawling, pulling up to stand on furniture and standing unassisted.  James is even taking a few steps.  His record to date is 22 in a row!

When we think about their start as almost 4 and almost 5 pound babies it is amazing how far they have come.  They are both so curious and eager to experience new things.  They are also incredibly personable and social.  I am really glad that I took them to the daycare at my gym and to so many baby groups from such a young age.  

The twins have been so blessed this year.  They have received so much love from our families and friends.  I can't help but smile when I watch them reach to be held by their godparents or grand parents when they walk in the room.  There is no greater reward for your patience and love  than when you are greeted with a big smile and they reach to be picked up.  

What's our plan for the future?  I am thrilled to be staying home from work while we wait for our Nanny, Joy, to arrive from Hong Kong.  She will most likely arrive in the Spring.  Now that the Etobicoke Olympium is open again we hope to get the twins comfortable with cold water so that they are ready for a summer of swimming at the cottages.  We will continue to stay social at the Early Years Centres but we may have to move up to the toddler groups soon :).  Brian will continue to let his marking pile up so that he can rush home after school each day to play with his little ones.  

James and Josie will continue to learn and grow.  They will continue to play together and become even better "friends".  As a family we will continue to be thankful everyday for all of our blessings.

James and Josie's Winter ONEderland 

Cake Smash

Birthday Stat Chalkboard Photos

What would a 1st birthday be without a cupcake?

I made the pennants from old baptism/baby shower cards.

Our family!

Almost ONE

This post was from Dec 9 but failed to upload.

This time a year ago Brian and I headed to Credit Valley Hospital for what we thought was going to be a "test run".  My blood pressure was dangerously high and my ankles were the size of my thighs.  Even sti, we certainly were not expecting to be told that in a matter of hours we would meet our twins.

I have been extra emotional this week thinking about how much we have been through as a family over the last year.  I have never been so satisfied with my life or sure that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.  I love Brian more than ever, but also in a different way since he became a father.  I have always appreciated what I have and what I have worked to earn but never as much as I do now.  I feel like I am going to burst with pride when I see the babies using sign language or investigating new situations with confidence. Being a mom was really hard in the beginning but it is totally amazing now.  I am thrilled that I get to continue to stay home with these little ones.  It feels like they are learning new things everyday.

Today, for example, James took his first steps on his own (he has taken a single step a few times already but never more than one before today).  Today he took about 4 steps.  He did it 5 times throughout the afternoon and evening.

Today Josie also said her first two-syllable word - "daddy".  She said it multiple times to Brian while they played tonight.  

Here are James and Josie at our Making The Connection class last Thursday.  The leader gave them each a tangerine and they both devoured them.  

On Friday James got away from me during a morning diaper change.  I then spent about 10 minutes fake chasing him around the room while he squeeled with delight.

On Sunday the twins had their first 1st birthday party in Oshawa with the Geogirls.  The twins are lucky enough to share their birthday with Josie's godmother, Vickie,  so they had their first joint party.  It was an awesome day with all five Geogirls and our Six Geobabies.

Today James also climbed this ladder at the early years centre.  Stairs were just the beginning for my little monkey :)

Tonight we did some sample crafts for the twins birthday party.  Nikki also helped me make these adorable t-shirts for the twins to wear for their birthday tomorrow.  Nikki is a grade 8 student who has been living with us for the last few weeks while she is a Page at Queenspark.  The babies adore her and I can tell that she loves playing with them too.

Snuggles with Daddy

6 months later and our twins still love to cuddle with their Daddy.  We have started a weekend tradition of starting our morning with cuddles in our bed.  I love it!