happy first birthday, Brayden & Cooper

Turning one was so much fun!

Don't tell our parents, but the fun's just begun.

Opening cabinets and pulling on drawers,

Dumping cereal all over the floors.

Throwing sippy cups and all kinds of food,

Emptying the bath water because someone pooed.

One going this way and the other, that,

They (mom and dad) can't remember the last time they sat.

But double the snuggles, the hugs, and the kisses,

Hold us close and forget the dishes.

We're only one once and we're growing so fast,

Enjoy every moment, this age will zoom passed.

Love you Mom & Dad!!

- Brayden and Cooper

Three birthday parties later, the twins are officially one year old! It's both hard to believe and very believable ... depending on how it's looked at. I'm enjoying getting a ton more sleep now than I was this time a year ago! Not getting much sleep those first few months made it seem to drag on and on and on, but now looking back at photos of our newborn baby boys from a year ago makes it seem like it can't already be a year. This past year sure has brought a lot of changes to our family ... having a baby (or 2) is a lot more sacrifice and work than I could have ever imagined, but it has also brought way more joy and love into my heart than I knew it could hold. I'm so thankful they're ours! Even when they are teething, fighting, screaming, and, yes, pooping in the bathtub.

So back to the "three birthday parties" statement:

• Their first birthday celebration was with the Spencer family at my parent's new house in TN over Thanksgiving time.
• The second celebration was a little to-do at our house on their actual birthday with the Stidolph clan and a few close friends.
• Their THIRD and final shebang was at Gpa & Gma Stidolph's house 5 days after their birthday which included the Stidolph family and other family and friends in the area.*

*We had to push the big Iowa party to a later date due to the nasty cold virus that swept through our house the week of the boys' birthday, causing ear infections in both boys and striking Brayden with a perforated ear drum.  :(

Thank goodness for the grandmas -- Gramma Lora was to our rescue, getting us all better in no time. We were even able to get Gram Spencer here for a couple of days to help us fight the nasties and get us back on our feet.

The boys are doing much better now ... if only we could stop those runny noses!

To sum up, I'm glad birthdays only come around once a year. Now on to the photos :)