Happy 1st Birthday, Scout and Sawyer

Dear Scout and Sawyer,

Today you turned one year old.  It's hard to believe that one year (and a day) ago, you were just two little mutants in my belly.  Today, you are the sweet cuddler that loves to bang on drums and the fiesty princess who loves people and loves to laugh.  

There are a few memories from this past year that I will always remember (or at least until I get Alzheimer's).  I will never forget our first night feeding when I brought you home from the hospital.  It took me 2.5 hours to tandem nurse you (I got one latched on, the other would fall off), pump, supplement feed you, clean the bottles, change your diapers, clean and re-gauze a circumcision, wipe your umbilical cords with alcohol, and rock you to sleep.  I looked at the clock and had 30 minutes until I was supposed to do that all over again.  


You two are the joy of my heart and the apple of my eye.  

 

Joy is...Scout wagging her tongue back and forth when she's happy.
Joy is...Sawyer scrunching up his nose when he's excited or determined.
Joy is...nursing two babies...at the same time.
Joy is...having three children fight over the privilege of sitting on mommy's lap.
Joy is...watching Scout pull up on the sofa, then watching Sawyer pull up on Scout.
Joy is...bathing two babies in each side of the kitchen sink.
Joy is...rocking two babies before bedtime when they each have their head on my shoulder and their thumbs in their mouths.
Joy is...looking into Scout's big blue eyes.
Joy is...grabbing a handful of Sawyer's thighs.
Joy is...watching your older brother Merrick make crazy faces to make you laugh.
Joy is...how any time any thing goes wrong, Scout immediately turns and looks for my face.
Joy is...seeing Scout's legs go crazy when she sees her Daddy walk through the door.  Hearing her say, "Dada...Dada."
Joy is...how excited you both get when I lay down on the floor.  Like the world's greatest theme park just opened it's doors. 
Joy is...how each twin has to be in my arms the minute he/she realizes I'm holding his/her twin. 

I love you, Scout.  I love you, Sawyer.  I am so grateful that we all made it through this year...alive.  I look forward to more precious moments watching you grow as individuals and as friends.  I pray for you and with you every day that you will be happy, healthy, have great relationships (with each other, with your brother, and others), be compassionate, wise, financially secure, intelligent, and that you'll grow up to be strong Christians and marry strong Christians.  That's not too much for a mommy to ask for, is it?!?

Happy 1st Birthday, my children.

Love,
Mommy