Video!

Be sure to pause the song at the bottom of the blog!

As you'll see, we did make it outside for party after all! It actually worked out better this way too. It wasn't too hot and we didn't have to worry about fighting the flies for our food:)

I have more pictures to post from the party and its aftermath tomorrow.

The Cake!

I was so stinkin' happy about the way R & E's cake turned out! There was big debate in the Parker household on whether or not to get a cake for their 1st birthday or get a CAKE! We decided to get a CAKE and it was the right decision. I ordered it from Sweet Lisa's in Greenwich. If you live in the area and you need a cake or for a special occasion, call Sweet Lisa's. Right now.

I sat down with the designer and told him what I wanted and he came up with this sketch. When he showed me the finished product I nearly swooned! Everything on this cake was edible-- even the rocks and the construction signs! The cake had an Oreo cookie filling with buttercream icing. De-lish! Ry and Ev thought so too:)

The Peas are ONE!

Saturday June 12th was the day that we officially celebrated Ryan and Evan's first birthday with a construction themed party! I actually started thinking about their 1st birthday party when they were only 6 months old ( I know, I know...I'm loony in that way!) I researched different themes and I knew that we had to do a construction theme. (Thus the inspiration for Evan's head gear decals!) I was also determined to hand make their invitations. In life before the Peas I loved to scrapbook and make cards. I still love to craft, but what I now lack is time! LOL This was a perfect excuse...I mean opportunity to get back into the craft room and pull the Cricut out of the box. I had so much fun making the invitations. I loved that no two of them were exactly alike. Another great thing about them? They were easy to make. I really only used the most basic crafting supplies and voila! The Peas had custom made by mommy party invitations!

Here was the activity table for the kiddos. They each had a tool kit (not pictured), a construction themed coloring book, and a favor box with a construction truck and crayons. Oh, and the kids had puzzles to play with too.

Each child also received their very own hard hat. Thanks to the Cricut I was able to make a few signs for the decor.

This was at the foot of the stairs as the guests entered the basement.

I was going to order a banner from etsy until I got all ambitious and wanted to make one myself. I heart my Cricut:)

DISCLAIMER: I have a confession to make...this party was NOT supposed to be in our basement. We watched the weather all week to see the forecast. We were anticipating lovely sunny weather with rain Saturday night. Perfect, right? WRONG! It was cloudy all morning and it rained on our heads when we were lining the driveway with cones and balloons.(remember that line from The Color Purple..."It's gon' rain on yo' head" ROFL...) We kept hope alive and thought that maybe, just maybe it would clear up. Wrong again! It rained harder...grrrrrr! Daddy P and I made an eleventh hour decision, literally at about 12:30, to move the party inside. I was feeling some kinda way about this, because my dear husband worked SO hard to get out backyard ready for the party. I mean he worked and worked and worked on this yard for weeks. But what do yo do, ya know?

So inside we go. At 12:30. The party starts at 1pm. The basement isn't decorated, cause why would it be? The guests are coming. Did I mention that the basement isn't decorated for a party? YIKES!!! It was a mad dash to get things all set up and ready to go. There were things I wanted to do, but didn't have the time. I have an entire roll of caution tape sitting here now just looking at me. And worst of all? Our guests had to wait for us, and Daddy P and I don't roll like that! We HATE that. So to all of our guests who came and so graciously waited, thank you and we are so sorry.

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!