Happy First Birthday Veronica and Jackson!

(Yes, I made and decorated their cakes myself - I'm pretty proud...)

I don't know how a year has gone by already! I've been doing a lot of remembering over the last few weeks... starting on Aug 6, one year after I was admitted to the hospital with pre-term labor. I've been emotional thinking back on it all. There are a few things I wish I had done differently. But really, I'm very happy with how it all turned out. I have two beautiful little miracles bringing laughter and joy to my life every day. I'm so thankful we're all happy and healthy, and that I have a wonderful husband to share this adventure with.

At one year, our little bundles of joy are developing as they should. (They are supposed to be developmentally more like 10 month olds since they were two months early.) Jackson probably weighs about 22 lbs and Veronica around 18 (haven't weighed them lately!) Jackson is a crawling fool and is constantly pulling himself up to standing on the furniture. Veronica is starting to get interested in crawling and loves to stand too with assistance. Both sit up great and have been for a long time. Veronica has been clapping for a while and Jackson just started as well. Veronica just started waving a week or so ago. It's really funny!

Both babies are very easy-going and happy. They whine sometimes but almost never cry. They smile and get excited when they see us. They play independently very well.

Saturday, we had a few of our closest friends over to celebrate their birthday. We grilled in the backyard, we let the babies open presents and then we had cake. The babies were moderately interested in opening their presents. They definitely thought the paper was cool! Jackson wandered off a few times (because he could) but they were both very tolerant of the adults' needs to watch them open and enjoy their presents. They humored us by showing joy and getting excited when they saw their new toys (not so much for the clothes, but that's to be expected from kids, right!?) Veronica was especially sweet when she opened an Eeyore stuffed toy from Dorothy and smiled and got excited and started talking to it! And they both immediately wanted to eat the rubber duckies grandmama got them. :-)

Cake was another story. Veronica was more interested in touching the candle than the cake (we caught her before she got her hands burned). They both just kind of stared at the strange blocks in front of them in their highchairs, unaware they were sweet treats. But even when we pesky adults shoved their fingers into the frosting, they were only mildy interested. Veronica did eventually eat some frosting (and maybe even cake) and spread it over her face some. :-) Jackson tipped over his plate and knocked his cake upside down! He was really NOT interested.

It was such a wonderful day, a great first birthday. The babies seemed to know it was their special day because they were especially charismatic and smiley and fun. They were mingling with the guests and letting everyone hold them and fawn over them. :-) Here's a few pics until we get more from our friend Judy who was being the photographer:

Veronica talking to Eeyore

Veronica eating cake

Jackson at least touching his cake!