We are now toddlers!

Well, for some odd reason, I can't load pictures onto a post like this . . . I have some new ones on the blog page itself, though, and pictures from the twins' birthday are on my Facebook page. But, I wanted to write my last little monthly update on here for their 12 month mark, before I forget!

My babies got the memo pretty much on the day of their birthday that they are now toddlers. They both walk now, sign a few words (please, more, and milk) and can wave and clap their hands. They really haven't started to say any words yet, just mamamama and dadadadada. :)

The reason I say they "got the memo" is because for the past two weeks, they seem to be pretty frustrated with their lives, at least at home, which I would say is pretty typical for 12 month olds . . but when you have two, it's pretty difficult to accomodate their needs. In fact, I'll just be brutally honest with this post and say that this past week has been pretty miserable for me with the two of them because when we are at home, they basically follow me around, whine, yell, cry, cling to my legs, and scream if I leave them contained in a room, even for 30 seconds. When I do return from, oh, say washing the dishes or transferring laundry to the dryer or something, I then have to sit and hold them for a few minutes while they lay their heads on my shoulder and pull themselves back together. Their little teary eyes say, "I can NOT believe you left me for a whole 3 minutes! Please, PLEASE don't do that again!" It's pretty sad, flattering, and frustrating all at the same time, especially because, with two 22-pound babies, I can't just strap them to me in a backpack or anything. The funny thing is that, when they are dropped off at the YMCA or church nursery, they're fine. They don't have separation anxiety out of the house, just inside it. Hmmmm.....

Having said that (thanks for listening to me gripe just for a minute . . . ) they are the cutest little things and are developing so well! At their 1-year appointment, Emma came in around 22 pounds and Sav at around 21 pounds (this bad mama lost the piece of paper that the doc wrote the exact measurements on, and I feel so bad about it!) putting them right at a very average size for a 1-year old. However, to us, they look like little tubbos, compared to how big our petite little Clara was at this age. They are wearing clothes that she wore at 18 months. They eat all kinds of food now, but Emma is starting to get a little more picky about the veggies (already? Aack!) and they have altogether stopped the jarred baby food, which is fine with me. They continue to go to bed around 7 p.m., get up aruond 7 a.m. and take 2 naps of about 1.5 hours each (although, as I type, they are both awake upstairs, lightly fussing . . . they're tired after a morning at the parade, but I think they might be a little hungry, too, so I might have to get them up soon to have a bottle). Oh, and they drink 4 bottles of whole milk/day of about 4-6 oz. each. Just like Clara was at this age: They LOVE their milk!

Emma started walking about a week before her birthday. She was home with Daddy while Mama was out grocery shopping, and she just started walking across the room! She's lke that . . . she does things after Sav has already started, but, once she decides to follow suit, it doesn't take her as long to figure it out. She walked for 2 days, though, and then decided crawling was better and went back to all fours. Occasionally, she decides to get up and walk a few steps. Sav, on the other hand, is practically running around the house, but has trouble outside in the grass, which frustrates her. They both love to put everything in their mouths still, so they are attached to their binkies for at least a few more months to help Mama out with not choking on stuff or putting too many germs in those little mouths! They are both really into music and singing little toddler songs with hand motions. Oh, and they LOOOOOVE big sis, Clara, especially Savannah. She follows her around and wants to do whatever she does.

Other loves: bath time, cheerios, swinging on what we have made a "twin swing" at any park, going on walks in the stroller or wagon, playing with musical instruments, bubbles, apples, sippy cups with water (most of which gets in their mouths...), and MAMA.

Dislikes: Getting dressed/changed, having Mama walk away, having twin sis take something right out of their hands or pull hair. :)

Their birthday was super fun, especially the cake part! Sad I can't get pics up on here, but, like I said, they're on facebook, so I think anyone who looks at this can see them there, along with a video clip. It truly was the first time they'd had cake or a cookie or anything sugary like that, and Emma especially was IN LOVE! Dove right in and made big messes and then went straight into the tub.

Happy first birthday, my sweet baby girls. I can't believe you are one already, and how much joy you have brought into our family life. I pray for you all the time that God has a big, big plan for you, and that He will show you more each day His love for you and direct your steps in all you do. We love you, Savannah and Emma!