2Peas in a Wagon!

I'm still working on the birthday party post. We had "loads" of fun! I'm glad we had a construction themed party for the Peas' first birthday. Here is a picture that I took of them the other day. They love their birthday present from Mommy and Daddy!

Then and Now

RYAN 6-8-09

RYAN 6-8-10

EVAN 6-8-09


EVAN 6-8-10

I started this blog after the boys were discharged from the NICU. Its primary purpose is to document our lives with Ryan and Evan; to have it serve as a scrapbook of sorts. Then this blog became a way to keep our families connected with the twins since we live so far away from everyone. I realized shortly after starting this, however, that this blog is also for other people who have experienced a premature birth. I think I've posted before about how information hungry I was about babies born as early as ours were. I remember coming home from the NICU late at night and logging onto the computer searching for stories. To be frank, some stories that I found scared me something serious. But there were others that provided hope. I want this blog to do that for some other families. When you have a baby born so early and so small you want to see what can happen. You want to know that your baby will grow. You need hope.

It is with these thoughts in mind tonight that I am posting pictures that I've never shown before; pictures from the day Ryan and Evan were born. I have gotten to the point where I can look at these photos and not have my heart do a strange little dance. I think I will always be amazed, though. Amazed at how far our children have come. Amazed at what God has done and is doing in their lives. And grateful--eternally grateful.

One year ago today I wasn't sure that our children would live. Today, I can tell you that miracles can and do happen. Today at 12 months actual 9 months adjusted, our son Ryan crawls, pulls to a stand unassisted, and cruises along furniture. He walks, forward and backward, in a walker, he can walk behind his walking toys, he pushes his little brother around in the walker, he can walk holding on to two hands, he eats everything in sight, he babbles with consonant sounds, and he plays patty cake. He loves to give kisses. He is a sweet sweet boy and he is loved.

Today at 12 months actual 9 months adjusted our Evan can belly crawl fast enough to beat his big brother to a toy, started to crawl on all fours a little just yesterday, walks forward in a walker, pulls to a stand with assistance, walks holding on to two hands, is starting to be a better eater, babbles with consonant sounds, and plays patty cake. He too loves to give kisses and will do so on request. He's my sweet but feisty boy! He is loved.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

At 6:28am and 6:29am respectively Ryan and Evan were born last year. Today our beautiful boys celebrate one year of life. Today my husband and I celebrate one year of being parents to not one, but two miracles of God. Today we reclaim June 8th as being a day of celebration. Happy Birthday, my sweet sweet boys. We love you very much.

I just had to say...

hello and we are still here! Things have been extremely busy in our household lately in preparationsfor the Peas' 1st Birthday Bash! We are super excited! Ryan and Evan, of course, have no idea what's going on; they're busy living life, growing, and learning.

My Grandmother is in town to visit us and we're very glad to have her. My sister is coming this weekend, Cousin Betty will be here pretty soon, and we still have tons of work to do. Invites are out, so knows that the twins are having a construction themed party...and I just remembered that I still need to complete their banner! YIKES!

Okay, so what you really want to know is how are Ryan and Evan? Super. Busy. and Super Busy! Evan still runs the show and Ryan is such a sweet sweet boy. Ev is cutting two top teeth, so he hasn't been in the best mood lately. They are still all over the place. Literally ALL over EVERY place they can think of. Ryan showed me that I need to step up my baby-proofing game since he can now open cabinet doors in the kitchen. Evan is the proud owner of legs that can be lethal weapons, 'cause that boy can kick up a storm and if you get in his way or if he's mad at you watch out! Their personalities are emerging each day and I love it. They also play really well together. Of course, that is until Evan gets mad and let's Ryan have it! A mess! But they are a joy--a true joy. Both boys says "da-da" (hmph!) and Daddy P loves it!

Oops, just looked at the time and I have a commute on my hands, so I hope everyone has a Happy Thursday!

The Peas Have Been...

playing in their room...

learning to crawl on hands and knees...

climbing into the bouncy seat...

sitting in the bouncy seat (backwards) because he wants to...

trying to figure out how to get out of the seat....

pushing the walker all around the family room (and walking in it too)...

still on hands and knees (he's figuring it out ya'll!) :)

how'd this get here again? OOPS!

holding their own bottles...

wearing their sandals for the first time...

and actually keeping them on!

And I've been one busy mama! More to post soon. Happy Tuesday:)

Growing Up!

After church on Sunday we went out to lunch with the Juleau family. We decided to let R & E sit in the high chairs for the first time. Usually when we go out to a restaurant we keep them in their carriers. I really don't know why since they can both sit up; I suppose we do it because its what we've always done. Well no more of that and good thing too, because it's getting harder and harder to carry them in their car seats! I haven't bought high chair covers yet, but you can believe I keep a stash of Clorox wipes to sanitize each and every surface!
Evan fussed at me for awhile for putting him in the high chair, but once he realized that he could reach for the knives, forks, and plates on the table he was happy.

Ryan was busy flirting with all the waitresses and playing with the Juleau girls! By the way, our boy has a tooth now!!

Being a baby is hard work! These two came home and needed to relax after a long day! We've been trying to hold on to the bouncy chairs, but I'm afraid we're going to have to let them go. We caught Ryan getting out of the seat, and Evan can completely turn over in it. **sigh** The Peas are growing up on me!

Why I can't cook dinner...

I was trying to cook dinner the other night, I really really tried, but as you see I got a bit side-tracked. Ryan followed me into the kitchen and then decided that he had better things to do than watch me cook. The day after I posted the update post on the boys he actually started crawling on all fours. His goal seems to be to explore every room in our house. Evan's goal seems to be to keep up with his big brother.