Happy birthday Nate and Jack!

One year ago yesterday, at 9:06 and 9:07 PM Nathan Palmer and John Carlton Slisher came into my life. It's so hard to believe it's been that long; the last few months have just flown by. I've been thinking about their first year a lot in the last couple of weeks, and I wanted to share some of the moments that stand out.

When DH and I finally had "the conversation" after 14 years of marriage and 18 years of swearing we'd never have kids. The positive pregnancy test, the ultrasound where we saw 2 sacs. The naive joy we felt that we were having twins; we had no idea what we were in for!

Going into labor at 24 weeks, ending up in the hospital and getting "the talk" from the neonatologist about how 24 was not a good number. Lying in a hospital bed for 11 weeks trying desperately not to contract; the scare when Jack was diagnosed with absent end diastolic flow the day I was going to be discharged.

Finally meeting our boys after waiting so long. The sleepless nights, the joy mixed with pain during the first rough months. The struggles with breastfeeding preemie twins.

How joyful moments began to slowly outnumber stressful ones. Their first smiles, giggles, and staggering steps. The first time they looked at me and said "Mama". The first time they looked at each other and smiled.

I am so thankful for every moment, and never thought I would get so much happiness out of being a mother.

My only regret is that I didn't find Twinstuff sooner. I went through a lot of the worst parts (the hospital bedrest, the rough early months) with only the support of my family, which though they are my bedrock, cannot replace the wonderful advice and understanding I've found here. You have all been awesome!!

To all the parents who are going through the toughest parts, who are dealing with babies who don't sleep through the night, refusing to eat and all the other worries, I wish you all the best, and tell you that you will get through this and find incredible joy.

Enough sappiness; time to tell you about their party! I can honestly say that it could not have gone better. We had a small gathering of just family and our nanny. The boys had a great time, smashed their cake with gusto, and gorged themselves on frosting! There were wonderful toys, good food, and even a celebratory glass of champagne for the adults.

We took 70,000 pictures and videos, but I will only bore you with the important ones: the cake smash! http://www.dropshots.com/Tslisher#date/2009-08-05/16:25:07

And the aftermath: http://www.dropshots.com/Tslisher#date/2009-08-05/13:52:42 http://www.dropshots.com/Tslisher#date/2009-08-05/13:48:16

Sorry this was so long, but I couldn't help myself. Farewell First Year, and hello Second!!

 

:bday: to your beautiful boys!

And :thanks: for the lovely post.

 

Awwwww, your post made me tear up a little!! Congrats on making it to 1 year HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATE AND JACK!!!

 

I teared up too! :cry: Thank you for sharing your/their 1st year story.

:bday: Nate and Jack!

 

congrats! what happy looking boys!

 

Pass me a tissue, please! That was so sweet! The cake pictures are hysterical! See you in SY!

 

:birthday:

lovely little boys!! congrats!

 

Oh wow congratulations, you made it.. yay! Your boys are adorable little men now, i bet your so proud! Happy Birthday Nate and Jack!!!

And Thankyou for all your support and advice during the last 7mths, you have been a great help to me! You can have a little rest now but i am coming for you in the 2nd yr!

 

They are so adorable!!!! :bday: to Nate and Jack!

 

Thanks for everyone's well-wishes and for putting up with my long sappy post.

:hug: You're so sweet, Liz! We'll be on the lookout for your little gems! :lol:

 

Beautiful post!! :cry:


:bday: Nate and Jack!!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your babies and well done you!!!

 

:bday: I love them! Soo cute.

 

Happy Birthday! Yay!!

I saw one of your replies to one of my posts a couple of weeks ago, and thought, OH NO! They will be one year old and then they will be moving on to SY!!! Thanks for your input and help - you have really helped me, and I wish, too, I had found TS when I was pregnant...Sigh...

Congratulations!

 

Aw, thanks Jennifer! :blush: I'm sure I'll pop back around from time to time. Best of luck to you, and see you in SY in 7 more months!

 

What a beautiful post! Yay for birthdays! :banana: :banana: They're adorable!!

 

Congrats to you all and thanks for sharing your thoughts! :birthday: to Nate and Jack!

 

Congratulations on surviving the first year.

Happy Birthday boys!

 

Huge congratulations to you!!! :banana:

 

Happy Birthday Nate and Jack! Thanks for all the great videos and advice!

 

sniff... sniff... how sweet!

happy birthday nate and jack! and thanks for all the great advice valerie-my food trials were made easier with your words of advice and encouragement! see you in the SY in 6 weeks!! OMG!

 

Thanks for sharing! Congrats to you and your boys for making it through the first year. Love all the pictures and videos. My babes will be a year next month, and I'm in denial.