Dear Babies,

Today you are now one year old. How fast time flies!

At first you were just a hope and a dream.

And then finally, it was time! At this time last year, I was getting to the room where you would be born. In less than an hour, you would be in your Daddy’s arms, after all those months of waiting.

The first few days and months were full. And long. And hard (at times). And wonderful. You were here and healthy. We recovered. We learned to nurse. We learned to be a family. Your grandmothers both came to help us. And then it was just us. And we kept learning. How to get you both fed. How to get you both bathed. How to deal with the crazy little moments that you handed us.

And you were lovely.

Then, suddenly, you were starting to sit up and roll over.

And we were getting pretty good at this whole “family” thing. Except that Alex still wasn’t sleeping well. But you wouldn’t know it from the pictures!

You started growing and developing really fast. And your Daddy and I adored you. (Still do!)

And the last few months have been so fun to watch. You’ve learned to crawl. And stand. And reach for things. Your personalities are shining through. And in all of it, your Daddy and I are praying for you, watching you, loving you, wanting the best for you.

So, now, on your first birthday, I’m just amazed at how far we’ve come.

My Erin,

You are sweet and tenderhearted. You have started to look at us, when Alex gets extremely upset, with great concern in your eyes and get upset yourself. You are so much like me that it’s amazing. In fact, you were getting frustrated the other day, trying to put a CD case back in a cupboard, and I heard your Daddy say, “Erin, your momma is showing.” But you are joyful and happy. You wave, clap, shake your head yes and no on cue, and you pat your mouth as if you’re making “Indian calls.” You like to play peek-a-boo everywhere and with everyone. You love to stand on rocking chairs, backwards, and rock. Much to Mommy’s chagrin. And you still love to snuggle. You are my snuggle baby, my lady baby, our Sweet Erin. I love you.

Sweet Alex,

You are such a doll, my buddy. Your laugh can light up a room. You love to point out ceiling fans and lights, especially when they aren’t on. That concerns you a lot. You love to climb stairs, and people, and chairs, and over things and well, you are my climber. You love the Christmas tree. Love it. The gate we set up to protect it has barely been able to keep you away from the glittering lights and ornaments. You wave and point and give high-fives. Your faux-hawk is finally starting to go away. And you are my adventurous, social, happy guy. You love people. You want people to love you. And we do, Buddy. We totally do.

So on this, your first birthday, my babies. I just wanted you to know: it’s been a wonderful, hard, really great year. I can’t wait to have many, many more with you!