One (x2)

One year ago, I was the most exhausted I've ever been in my entire life.
My girls were itsy bitsy small, and the pediatricians had me panicked and desperate to put weight on them. I wish those doctors could see their chubby little thunder thighs now.
Evelyn top, Amelia bottom

I've said it a thousand times.... this has been the longest shortest year of my life. When I remember how tiny they were, it doesn't seem like very long ago. When I think of all that has happened in our lives in the past year, it seems like eons (and I don't even remember most of it).

It sure is hard to think of how life would be without these sunshiny morning smiles and hairdos. (Actually, I think this is lunch since they are eating peas and cheese, but I'll pretend like it was morning since they were still in pajamas and I probably hadn't showered yet.)

Evelyn left, Amelia right

I definitely have to go through iPhoto and clearly label who's who in all the pictures (if I can tell). They look so much alike it is tricky. It became clear just how alike they are at the pediatrician today when Amelia weighed in at 20 lbs 14 oz and Evelyn at 20 lbs 12 oz. (46 percentile)

Amelia measured 30 and 1/4 inches long and Evelyn 30 inches exactly (84 percentile).

Even their standard 12-month blood tests came back with precisely the same numbers.

Evelyn left, Amelia right

So our twincesses are one, and we lived through it. We love them unfathomably, and have decided to keep them. We had a little celebration with the grandparents and a few aunts and uncles in order to celebrate this momentous milestone.

Amelia enjoying her birthday cake

Evelyn making the obligatory first birthday cake mess

What the cakes looked like before the girls got their hands on them:
Amelia had been taking unassisted steps here and there, but began walking in earnest on her birthday. Evelyn still finds it much more convenient and quick to crawl. She has been starting to move around while pushing the walker though, so I'm sure it won't be long before we have two little wobble-legged toddlers underfoot.

They say a few words that we all love to hear:

Amelia: mama, dada, byebye, all-done, uh-oh, dis (this)

Evelyn: mama, dada, all-done, up, uh-oh

They certainly keep us hopping. I still wish I had a dollar for every time somebody told me I have my hands full. The girls spend their days emptying cabinets, drawers, toy boxes, purses, diaper bags, trash cans (ack!), and pretty much anything they can get their hands on. By the time I put them in bed at night, our house looks like a tornado hit a trailer park. We spend an hour or so cleaning every evening, just to have them tear it all up again the next day.

They remain fairly even-tempered, though very curious. In spite of the mess, they are the each individually the easiest babies I've had. The combined logistics of having two can be a little overwhelming, though. Thanks so much to everyone who has helped us do it!

8 Weeks

We've made it this far. My house is a wreck. Hardly anything has been packed. I can't remember half of what I'm supposed to . . . however, everyone is clean, well fed and healthy, so things must be working out.

I won't know their weight until I take them to the doc next week, but if you compare this pic:

Millie left, Evy right, both pictures

with this pic taken at one week:

You'll see they are beginning to fill out their carseats quite nicely.

Sometimes I've had to resort to unorthodox methods to get by, but they always get a meal when they want it.
This normally low-maintainence boy has displayed every hallmark behavior you could expect from a child being displaced as the youngest in the family. He loves his baby sisters madly, but his parents and older siblings are bearing the heavy brunt of his regression. Sadly, I don't expect much of an improvement until after the move.

This shot is easy, can you tell who is who?

The girls have not been the best nappers during the day. Sometimes they'll both go down at once, but too often one will fall asleep and I'll spend the next two hours trying to get the other one down only to have the first wake up the minute her sister gives in to the sandman. Fortunately they make up for it by being decent night sleepers . . . only waking once or twice each.

Amelia

In a few years this picture might make me laugh. Right now I only see the leftover poundage I still need to shed. However, the shot is extremely true to life.

Evy in pink, Millie in brown

Alice has been a dream through the past two months. I honestly couldn't ask for a more helpful child.

Al and Evy

The twincesses are getting used to riding in their royal coach. I've finally been able to log a few miles here and there, which has been super healthy for my mentals. The stroller is also useful to quell uncontrollable crying at bedtime. This double MacLaren is one of the best purchases I've ever made. It was a huge splurge when we bought it in 2004 shortly after having Alice to carry the oldest two (Seth should have been old enough to walk alone at that time, but he had a nasty habit of running off and getting lost lest he was buckled into something . . . I just couldn't bring myself to buy a leash for him). It has been in almost constant use since. Finally the MacLaren Twin Traveller is being used for its designed purpose!

You guess, I'll tell you if you are right!

In short, things are going fine. If you call me on the phone, you'll need to make peace with the fact that someone will be crying in the background. If you tell me something important, you shouldn't expect me to remember it. If you have a spare fifteen minutes, you are welcome to come hold a baby or two. If you make plans with me, you should assume I'll be at least ten minutes late. If you see me out of the house, just know that spit up is part of my wardrobe and I've given up on keeping my shirt clean. If you've had Thomas over to play . . . I can't thank you or apologize enough (though I'm pretty sure he saves his best tantrums for us). And if you wonder if we are happy, the answer is a resounding yes.