It's Fun to Be One!

The boys turned one on Friday! We had a little celebration with family at the house yesterday. Today we are recuperating...and finding some time to reflect on this achievement. It really is an achievement, not just of the boys but also of us, our families, our friends. Thinking back to where we were a year ago, it really is amazing.

Let's recap. A year ago today, the boys were being fed intravenously; yesterday they scarfed birthday cake. A year ago today, the boys were just barely opening their eyes; today the boys are just barely starting to walk. A year ago, I was taking lots of pictures of the boys; yesterday I was taking lots of pictures of the boys. Well, some things never change I guess.

But some things do change. In the NICU, all the nurses would say how quiet the boys were. They would say how well they slept. How well they ate. Not sure what happened. Today the boys are babbling away, mostly nonsensical gibberish, but sprinkled with the occasional dadda and momma or, if we're lucky, a flat out scream. Their sleep habits are curious, improving at night but at the expense of naps during the day. Mealtime is always an adventure, as we try to find the "food of the day" that they will actually eat and not wear or throw overboard to the dogs.

So speaking of eating, the boys passed the First Birthday Right of Passage, which is to lay into the birthday cake and make a real mess of things. They didn't disappoint, going for it in impressive fashion. As the record will show, they went at with both hands, without fear of a spike in their blood sugar levels. No piece of cake was too big to shove in the mouth. They thrived under the pressure of the paparazzi. Occasionally one would check on the other, just to make sure they were doing it right. Frosting all over the face, in the hair, up the nose...yep, me too!

And then in the end, just to get a piece of the action and assure the boys that this is really what big boys and big girls look like, Rebeca and I exchanged cake in the face. Uncle Scott took the last couple shots.

So a big thank you to everyone who has helped us make it through the first year, and who have been so generous to us, and supportive to us as we tried to figure out how to make it to the next day. 365 next days later and here we are with these beautiful (and messy) boys!

Finally, here's to Rebeca, who has had to put up with me in addition to the boys. Somehow she's been able to maintain her sense of humor and her constant dedication to whatever is best for the boys. They are truly lucky to have her as a mother as I am lucky to have her as my wife.

Jeff

Here is Blakey's cake. Game on.

And Nicolas' cake before the onslaught.

Blakey asks Dad if this is really OK.

Nicolas realizes that no one is going to stop him! WooHoo!!!

Oh no, what have I done?

The boys are hitting their stride now.

Double fisted is the only way to go for Nicolas.

Blakey in the early stages of his makeup for Avatar.

Nicolas can't believe his good fortune.

Blakey is saying how big he wants next year's cake to be.

Nicolas has had enough: "Where's my milk???"

Not satisfied anymore with the small bites, Blakey picks up the whole cake.

Nicolas thinks it's funny, but Blakey isn't amused.

Just like at our wedding! (no, not really)