The twins are one year old today! What a year it has been. I know it is said far too often, but it really doesn't seem like a year has passed since we were in the hospital getting ready for their arrival. You certainly get a new perspective on how time flies when you have two young babies to look after. A lot of great things have happened in the last twelve months including extended visits from Marla's parents (twice), her sister Sheila (twice) and her best friend Pam. We've also been able to go to Dublin with the twins and have made a number of other outings with them, usually to places nearby like Dyrham Park, Stourhead, or The American Museum but there have been slightly further distances traveled too, for instance our trip to London in the winter to get the kids' US passports was quite a fun adventure.
Maddie and Morgan have had plenty of ups and downs. Morgan particularly has had to deal with a number of illnesses, which while not serious have been unpleasant for him and a strain for us. Other things that have been and gone include their initial troubles feeding from a bottle (both of them struggled with one thing or another) as well as the period of time when they could both sleep at different ends of the same cot. Developmentally they seem to be doing OK. Maddie was standing (aided) very early on - about three months - but Morgan beat her in the race to see who would be crawling first. Morgan is also winning in the number of teeth event, he has six now while Maddie still only has three. However, Maddie has started taking steps - her record is seven or eight - and standing on her own with confidence! Morgan can stand on his own, but only for a short time before he gets excited and loses balance (or nerve!).
We too are becoming slightly more confident. Although they change quickly enough that we are rarely able to comfortably settle into a routine before it has changed again. Big challenges on our horizon include a three hour flight to Ibiza in October with my parents and Joe & Ruth (followed by a seven night holiday) and then, in December, a much longer trip to Chicago (without any family help!) and then on to Mexico for a Wertz family vacation.
All in all it has been a wonderful year, full of challenges and successes. And best of all we have been able to witness the first year's growth and development of two great little human beings - each with their own very different, very endearing personality.
I am getting a little emotional as I write this. It is one of those times when I am struck by how much I love our two little guys. Anyway, we're having a bit of a party at our house this evening - before the kids go off to bed (and then maybe one afterwards too!). Here's to the next twelve months!