Time flies when you have twins!

Both "eating" thier drums

First visit with Santa

Jared giving a new meaing to being "in" the saucer

Anthony on the one day he decided to smile at the camera

I tell my self multiple times each week "You really need to update the blog!" I feel that I am letting down those of you who still follow the blog regularly. I am not really one to set resolutions for the New Year, but I will definitely do my best to update more frequently. I am sure you can only begin to imagine how hectic my life is everyday :)

One of my books about raising multiples has a Congratulations chapter near the older infancy/first birthday section. The author (pediatrician and mom of twins) congratulates me for making it through the first year with twins. She writes about how as a Mom of twins I have probably never felt more house-bound than you have this past year and how the year really does fly by because of how amazingly busy you are. This is so true. I do my best to take in each experience I get with Jared and Anthony because it moves so quickly.

The boys are doing very well. They just got over a cold which means Anthony needed to have his ear infection re-checked so he began another antibiotic last Thursday. It is definitely no fun having twins with colds but doubly no fun when they have ear infections also. The doctor recommended bringing them in for a recheck if they happened to get a cold, good thinking Doc!

Jared and Anthony had their first appointment and CHOC's developmental clinic last month. It was kind of a culture shock for Jason and I because the therapists, doctors and dietitian that we met with only refer to them as their adjusted gestational age (three months behind) where as our pediatrician always treats them at their actual age.

So, at the time of the test (Age 10+ Months) their adjusted age was 7 months 2 days. The therapists tested them at that age. We met with an occupational therapist and a child psychologist that basically played with each boy separately to see how they interacted, manipulated toys and applied problem solving skills. Both Jared and Anthony scored within normal limits (at or about their adjusted age of 7 months) on all areas of testing and actually both tested higher (at 9-11 months) on both active and receptive communication skills. We were very happy with their report. Unfortunately, this being their first assessment, although good scores this time, they warned us that there may still be bumps in the road for them in the future.

We met with a dietitian who spoke with us about the boys eating habits. We were happy to report that they love food (everything except cottage cheese). She was surprised that they were doing so well with finger foods and actually was slightly put off that we started them on the food schedule based on their actual age rather than their adjusted age. We explained to her that our pediatrician treats them at their actual age and we go by her advice. When the dietitian found out the boys' were already on toddler formula and we would be transitioning to milk at 12 months, she explained to us that they may not be ready. Jason and I had a discussion when we left the clinic and decided that with no disrespect to the dietitian, we would go with our doctor's advice...she did make it through medical school!

Both boys are on the move! Jared is a crawling fool and Anthony still gets everywhere he needs to go by rolling. Anthony is now pulling himself up and is often standing in his crib when I go to get him from his nap. It really is the cutest thing, he thinks he is just so amazing (which he is!). Jared is beginning to stand with his hands still on the floor (similar to the yoga pose: Downward Dog) and they both enjoy standing while holding on to something.

Their first trip to visit Santa went surprisingly well. Neither of them cried and Anthony just stared at him and played with his beard. So funny! We are definitely ready for their first Christmas and then their First Birthday just 11 short days after that. My how time flies.

This time of year as been incredibly hard for me personally. I have so many memories of my pregnancy during the holidays (mostly of my swollen feet) and then it always leads to the day that they were born. Such a bittersweet day for Jason and I. We have been talking a lot about how we will handle Jan 5th 2011. Obviously, it is the day that our amazing miracles were born and the day that our lives were blessed forever. However, the day also brings up some very traumatic memories that I am still dealing with, or trying to anyway. I often wonder if it will be this way for us forever, for the next few years or maybe just the first year...only time will tell.

Thank you again for those who still follow the blog. I make a promise to you (since you care enough) that I will do the same and update more frequently.

Fight On! Little Fighters!! - Love Momma