HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABIES! It is hard to believe that my little pumpkins are 1! ONE, not months anymore, but we are now counting by years! How is it possible that an entire year has passed since the morning I woke to find my water had broke? A year since Travis and I were making our daily trips to the Baptist NICU, a year since I was alternating nights with my mom sleeping on the hardwood floor to listen for babies and keep them on their 3 hour feeding schedule. A YEAR! Oh the difference a year can make!
As I think back over the past year, I am overwhelmed with emotion and the feelings of thankfulness, joy, fatigue, anxiety, sadness and love. Some of the happiest and hardest moments of my life have occurred over the past year, and I would not change it for anything. Every scary, anxious, tired, hard moment of the past year has been completely outnumbered by the wonderful, happy, joyous, funny moments. I would like to say that the past year has been easy...but I won't. The past year has been hard, sometimes very hard; however, I feel sure that all first time parents experience hard times during the first year. The hard times that we experience on a weekly/daily/sometimes hourly basis have been made much easier by the help of family, friends and a strong faith in God. I have said many times over the past year that we would not make it without our wonderful family--I am sure I would be a crazy (or crazier) woman without them!
One year ago today, when God blessed Travis and I with the greatest gifts I could imagine, our lives were forever changed. Goals and priorities shifted, "alone" time became a very rare treat and our grocery bill tripled! BUT I now understand "a mother's love". I feel so blessed to be able to experience this kind of love that is like no other.
As time continues to fly by and we begin our second year with these precious babies, I cant help but be a little sad. Sad that we are done with "the baby phase" (a phase that we will probably never have in our house again). I am sad to they are outgrowing the sweet baby swings and bouncy seats and moving on to mobile toys, but progress and growth is all part of life. I am thankful for their lives and the challenges they have brought into my life. I love you (Braden, Brooks and Kate) more than you will ever know--Happy Birthday!
