First year done, now you're one! Jan. 11th - Jadyn & Liana - Greatexpectations

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jadyn & Liana HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Before you leave us for the big world of the 1-5 yr. board - a few requests!!

• 
  Can you show us a before and after pic? (If you are a rewards member you can attach it otherwise you can provide a link)
  
  Summarize your last year with your little loves!!
  
  Tell us about your 1st birthday plans? Do you have a theme or something special you are going to do?

Welcome to the 1-5 board and please visit the First Year Often!!!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jadyn & Liana HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Before you leave us for the big world of the 1-5 yr. board - a few requests!!

• 
  Can you show us a before and after pic? (If you are a rewards member you can attach it otherwise you can provide a link)
  
  Summarize your last year with your little loves!!
  
  Tell us about your 1st birthday plans? Do you have a theme or something special you are going to do?

Welcome to the 1-5 board and please visit the First Year Often!!!

 

Jadyn & Liana !! Enjoy your special day!!

 

I didn't think we'd ever get here!!!!

Yet, it is bittersweet. It has been a hard road, but a great one. I love them more each day (if it's even possible.)

First, here are my after and before pictures. It nearly took 12 months this morning for me to make this work as we have had so many computer/email server changes so my pictures are all over the place.
Before and After

The last year started off rough. I failed at breastfeeding and had a hard time coming to terms with deciding formula was best. In the end, I realized I, and everyone I knew, was formula fed and I think we're great.

Then, Jadyn still wasn't gaining weight and was diagnosed (well, both were, but she was the problem child) with reflux. Basically, she screamed anytime we wanted to give her a bottle. I think she had a little colic and gas mixed in with that. It was a very hard time. All of my GREATEST EXPECTATIONS, were out the window. We had no help around either.

Two weeks home from the hospital and our home was burglarized while we were catching some zzzz's in a total of 1.5 hours that we hadn't slept all night. Bastard!

I started back to work, only to have a terrible child care experience at my place of work where they were left in swings ALL DAY LONG. It was a nightmare. We moved them after 6 weeks, but the cost went up 120 percent for us, sending us into debt beyond belief. I struggled to come to terms with this life, while watching and dealing with my girls get sick from their new day care, which was wonderful otherwise. Jadyn threw up with every cold she got (which was one every other week from July to November). Those were really hard days, too.

In late October, I asked for a raise to supplement our day care costs and was denied. I offered to work from home, which would have been very easy, but was denied. So, we sold a car and I quit! I'm now a stay at home mother and writer (which, is why this is so freakin' long!).

They were sllooooww in sitting up and rolling over, and even crawling, but they are thriving so well now. Around 5 months life got easier, about 7 months it got even better and around 10 months I had forgotten about all those really hard, hard, hard days and nights.

They started sleeping through the night, officially, the week of Christmas.

They HAD slept all night before, but rarely both at the same time and never for anything longer than a week. But, now when they cry at night we know it's a good reason. Ah, sleep is WONDERFUL.

They are officially off their reflux meds. We dropped down to one dose a day about a week before Christmas and then due to some "oops" moments, they didnt' get it for two days last weekend. They didn't seem to show any effects so we kept them off. That is great!

And, we are starting milk today. Not sure how that will go but they seem to really like it. Sippy cup drama to come, I'm sure.

They are on all tablefoods, but are still pretty particular -- Jadyn more than Liana. I still supplement with purees 2 times a day -- one fruit, one veg.

Liana is headstrong and spirited and physically strong. Jadyn is calm and loving and very focused. Both are just starting to come around to each other. Now and then I catch them holding hands in their high chairs.

They aren't walking, but like to do it with our help and with their toys. I think Jadyn has said her first word -- book . Not real surprising since their mother is a book addict and their favorite toys/activity is "reading books." No lie. They LOVE book time. We do it probably 4-5 times a day. It's the only thing they sit still for.

We are having a winter ONEderland party on Saturday. I have a bunch of snowflake (on clearance) decorations. We got them a bee bop band and I got them both snowglobes, which I hope to give them each year for either Christmas, New Years, Birthday or Valentine's Day. I am intrigued by the fantasy of snowglobes, but never had any of my own. I'm BIG on trying to come up with neat traditions for my girls.

I'd like to give a shout out to my Twinstuff pals. Several months ago, I got this idea to start a continuous messaging exchange with other moms with twins the same age as mine. The result has been message upon message of lots of live and learn experience as well as shared holiday cards for our twins' first Christmas. To all of you, enjoy this special month! I recall not-so-fondly how nervous/miserable/scared I was this very moment last year.

Thanks to all! See you on the 1-5 Board!

Shawn

 

Jadyn & Liana

 

Happy Birthday Jadyn
happy Birthday Liana


A Big to Mom. You made it through the first year!!!!!

 

Your girls are beautiful! Sounds like you had quite a year.

Happy First Birthday to your adorable little girls!