To Oliver and Abigail on their 1st birthday

**Warning long and sentimental poem ahead.  If short on time skip to the bottom for the long and sentimental video instead!

It's the kind of thing that happens to other people

"That looks like twins."

A statement not a question to the doctor

peering across the dim room

two distinct blobs on the ultrasound screen

Baby A on the right.

Crazy mover, noticeable hair fuzz

A BOY!

Of course he is.

Oliver Matthew

apt middle name-5lbs 6oz, perfect mini carbon copy of Matt's face

Papa's knack for early mobility and fearlessness

Scaling couches and tables with obvious delight

Attempting to descend via cliff jumping

"He's your son!"

downy tow-head hair perfect for gelling with sweet potatoes

Wiry, skinny little mover, dirt devourer

Speed eater- fruit, fruit and more fruit please!

Olly Jolly Doodle all day, our handsome man, sweet disposition

until the food or snuggles don't come fast enough- 

then boy soprano screams

cranky pants, Mr. Grumpy

Independent. (essential in at least one twin)

Often found hiding in closets contentedly making messes.

Our snuggler, hugger, open mouth kisser.

Until nap time- then "put me down, give me my thumb and blanket and leave me alone"

The perfect napper.

First smiles for mama.  Adores papa and aunties

Willing to hug anyone for a few minutes.

"C'mon Olly Jolly!" Charlotte's buddy and foe.

Our little son- mischievousness, adventurous, ever Jolly

Oliver

Calm Baby B on the left.

A GIRL!

Unbelievably tiny breech baby to watch over- triumphant petite healthy 4#1oz!

A voracious persistent eater

Hater of bottles

Heartbreaking leaving our precious bundle in the care of strangers

The longest 2 days and nights of our lives.

Beautiful, delicate, content, sleepy, watchful, sometimes sassy Abigail

Finally mom's small contribution to the gene pool, a mama's baby

And a papa's girl "Father is Joy"- for first smiles, looks of adoration

See-my-reflection-in-your-head bald

Your face is too pretty to be allowed to have hair too

Sleepy angel- who says tiny babies can’t sleep well?

sleeping through the night early, sleeping in ‘til 8

Heartbroken for bedtime

Tough as nails and good-natured to a fault

Squeezed, sat-on, head-locked, bumped, pushed down- rarely a squeak

Babble and talk, growl and grunt

Loves most food- gobbles up meat like a carnivore her mother

Pleasantly plump legs and belly! Round little face!

Our little rocker and swatter

Methodically putting things together

Sweet patient lovely bonus baby-

Miss Abby-zawatty-gail

Born with a best friend

37.5 weeks to share a womb

5 months to share a crib

A lifetime to share milestones- hopefully a special bond

A constant friend to...

Babble with on the floor

Double volume crying for, "Mamama!"

Empty cupboards

Make a diversion while you escape out the back door

Grab faces while you nurse

Hold hands and tag along

Taking turns being "good baby" "bad baby"

Upset little Abby squawking in protest

Olly rolled, crawled and toddled away first

Pushing our content bumblebee to roll, crawl and toddle after him

Oh how much fun to have 2 babies together

It was meant to be this way.

An act of congress to leave the house.

Endless diapers and feedings

Baths?

A circus act everywhere we go

"Yes, they're twins. No, they're not identical."

I should make a sign for our limousine neon green stroller.

Thinking, "I-have-20-minutes-before-someone-has-a-meltdown-or blow-out-or-needs-fed-and-this-is- the-first-time-I've-been-to-the-store-in-2-months-so-could-you-please-notice-I'm-speed-walking-as-I shop!"

"Sorry should I call back at a better time?"

The repeated phrase of our occasional callers-

There isn't a better time- this is life- please talk to me!

Someone is always crying- sometimes it's mom's turn

Only one kiddo wailing that's par for the course!

But someone is always laughing or sleeping, 

cooing, smiling, learning something new

Breathtaking to watch 2 little humans 

make the largest growth-spurt of their lives together

Absolute perfection to see your faces light up when you've been apart

To see you wrestle and play and squeal together- always someone doing what you're doing

Papa- you came together to divide-up your over-adoring and boisterous sister's attention

Mama- you were too good to be allowed to come alone 

You needed an accomplice, snuggle buddy, nemesis

Sharing and stealing toys, food, attention

Our hearts

May you always love each other the way you do now.

"If you think our hands are full imagine our hearts"

Oh how we love you. 

Our sweet double blessing

Oliver and Abigail

Happy First Birthday!

*Mandatory excuses.   I forget how long it takes to make a movie of a whole year.  Charlotte's 1 year video was a whopping 5 min.  After many painful hours of editing late into the night and during precious nap time I managed to trim this one down to  7min 34 sec.  Ridiculous I know- but there are two babies!  Feel free to stop when you get bored but the end is the best part in my opinion!  Let me know if you have a favorite clip since I've been so bad about posting any videos of the twins.  Turn up the sound, double click on the video to go to you tube and press the four arrows button on the bottom right corner of the video picture to make it full screen- it's worth it trust me!