My Twins Turn One!

It's simply amazing how quickly this year went by with my twin boys, whoosh. But the first month of their life was very intense. They were in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for a month after birth because they both had to gain weight, maintain their weight, eat well, and maintain their body heat. They never really needed a ventilator, but they had a little O2 hooked up and giving them some extra because we live in Colorado at a fairly high altitude. Babies born here do better with a little oxygen to begin with. I'm so grateful I've been able to nurse my babies this last year, they've been healthy and strong.

We had a little birthday party to celebrate their 1st birthday, family and friends come over to celebrate. We have a tradition where the babies get their own piece of cake with whip cream to eat or do with as they please. I'm rather anal when it comes to messes, so I struggle with this ritual, but the babies think it's pretty cool and the observers get a good laugh. "Just relax Mom, they're suppose to get messy," "Oh Mom, leave them alone, don't worry about the mess," but..."I" will be cleaning up the cake and whip cream that has been flung, smashed and wiped all over the place.

My husband and grandparents take pictures and videos, and the boys have a grand old time. We get them cleaned up when they're obviously done with the cake and are madly flinging it from side to side and whining. OK next, the presents. Once again, being allowed to rip up paper...what is going on Mom, you always take paper away from us? The ripping of the wrapping paper and the revealing of the gifts; the cars, trucks, balls, and stuffed animals, all are pretty neat, but the bows and paper are the BEST! :) They seemed to thoroughly enjoy the party, they hadn't had cake before, just a bit of ice cream occasionally. So they really liked the sweets and the chance to really dig into their cake. They stayed up longer than usual playing and enjoying our company, so when it came to nap time, they went down without much of a fuss.

I just look at my boys and my other children in amazement, and I'm so grateful that I've been blessed with this large family and the additional babies with my present husband. I truly enjoy being a mother, it's challenging and tiring, but I'm happiest at home with my boys at this time in my life. I'm more calm and I know I'm doing the best I can do with my children. I'm a better mom this second time around because I know I don' t have to be perfect and that my love and attention is what my babies need the most from me. When I was younger, I was trying to do everything right. Now I know I'll make mistakes, but I'm doing my best, and the boys are healthy and developing well, so I'm doing a good job. Being more mature is less stressful for me, I know it's important to take time to play with my boys, try to keep them on a good schedule, but I don't worry if things don't go perfectly as planned. The boys seem happy and that's the main thing. Being older helps me realize I know I'm not perfect, I'll do my best with my babies, and it doesn't matter what other people think. People will always judge me for whatever reason, but that is their problem, I don't need to make it my problem. I love my children and they love me.

Life is good, I'm grateful for my blessings; my husband, my kids, my health, our home and the comforts that we enjoy in our life! :)