Happy First Birthday Bubbies!

6:30 a.m. Good Morning and Happy 1st Birthday Jake Thomas!

6:32 A.M. Rise and shine birthday boy Anderson James!

Wait.... (looking at my hands, pinching myself) yep, I'm still here. Another overjoyed and extremely grateful twin mommy that survived the first year.

2007 you will be missed

Holy Sh@!t! 36. 3 weeks pregnant....my most proud accomplishment.

My dream come true #1 (Anderson James)

My dream come true #2 (Jake Thomas)

2007 will forever be my homecoming year. The culmination of my goals met and dreams come true. Finding a love that I never knew exsisted and pure amazement at how it never ceases. There is nothing on this earth more precious or more meaningful to me than K, A, and J. Happy New Year to all who have shared in our journey.

First 1st Birthday Party

More presents!

Doing some damage.

Jake enjoying the cake.

Happy Birthday little princes!

Anderson loved his cake.

Today Anderson and Jake celebrated their first 1st birthday party. It was a warm up to next Saturday's Blowout Bash. The boys had a great time digging into their cake and opening gifts.

Is it Thursday yet?

Jake Thomas
Anderson James

Kevin and I just couldn't resist giving the boys an early birthday present. They don't know the difference, right? Kevin assembled it last night after they went to bed and this morning we couldn't help ourselves. We knew they would enjoy this bounce and spin zebra since they love their jumperoos so much. We set them on there and they knew exactly what to do. They were bouncing around in no time and fighting for their next turn.

Fake Jake...but oh so cute!

Things aren't going my way today!

And now they are getting worse!

It's not funny Daddy!

Feeling better.

Saved the best pics for last...

Late in the afternoon on Christmas day before we left for my family party we took these pics of the boys. I have a serious obesession with the outfits we bought them for Christmas. I searched for hours in stores and on-line for the perfect little outfits for them to wear on their first x-mas and found these on-line at Pottery Barn Kids. I LOVED that I could have them monogrammed plus it cut back on family that don't see them very often asking all night, "which one is this?" I will definitely be saving these outfits to give to the boys when they are grown and who knows maybe another Edgar could wear it again some day.

Christmas Day

The boys woke up bright and early on Christmas morning to see what Santa had left them. They opened their gifts and had some breakfast. After they napped, Grandma and Grandpa Custer, Grandma Edgar, Great Grandma and Grandpa Wheeler, Aunt Sara, Uncle Joe and Uncle Matt all came over. We had a huge brunch with quiche, danish, french toast bake, sausage and a bunch of other yummy foods.

The boys were spoiled rotten by their Grandmas'! Shelving units for their toy room and giant pencils for the wall of their playroom was the highlight. Not to mention all three grandmas bought the boys enough clothes for this winter and spring, and an unbelieveable amount of toys and goodies.

In the evening we headed over to my Aunt and Uncle's house to see my extended family. We had brought the boys pack n plays in hopes that they would fall asleep while we were there but no such luck. Kevin ended up taking them home around 7 so that our sleepy heads could get some rest. My Grandfather was brought from the nursing home for a few hours so that was very exciting for he and everyone. We all know he lives for days like yesterday, its just too bad those days are so few. For those that don't know my Grandfather can't really communicate very well, a few words here and there. When they wheeled him into my Aunt's house he looked at his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren (all gathered around staring at him) and said "What in the hell?" as clear as day. We had a big laugh.

Today we cleaned out their closets to get rid of the outgrown toys and clothes to make room for all the new ones. We also took down all of our holiday decorations because the big 0-1 party will be in just over a week so with all the preparations coming up there wouldn't have been time over the next week.

Christmas Eve

The Christmas whirlwind is over. It was great while it lasted but we are really relishing in our "do nothing" day today. The boys liked all their gifts, which were wonderful by the way, but what they really enjoyed the most was the visits from family. They did pretty good opening the gifts, even a seasoned vet couldn't have opened all their gifts without becoming exhausted..they had that many.

Christmas eve started off with visit from Grandpa Edgar and Aunt Sara. We had a nice lunch while the boys napped and then when they awoke we opened gifts. Later in the afternoon my parents, the McBrides and Great Grandma Virginia came for dinner. We had tons of food, wine and gifts. The boys loved when Grant and Claire helped them open presents! And just like the little angels they are when it was bedtime they kissed everyone goodnight and went to bed without a fuss. They were eager for Santa's arrival.

Closing the Deal

Anderson, I've got a deal for you. I'll trade you my binky for your piggy bank. You know Mommy and Daddy hide those things from us. I hear they try and sell us the "binky fairy" story when we turn one.

I don't know Jake, last time I took a deal from you I got burned. You're the sneaky unassuming type.

Daddy, tell Anderson that isn't true. I would never hussle Anderson.

Come on Anderson, this is my last offer. If you don't cooperate you'll be sorry.

Okay, Jake. You got yourself a deal.

Santa Claus and his Main Elf

Anderson (L) and Jake (R)

Jake is a big waver lately.

Happy to be dressed like cornballs.

Always the sweet shy guy.

Always the class clown.

Okay I'm just going to say it...

I HAVE THE CUTEST BABIES ON EARTH!!!! Sorry, I'll try and have a bit more humility next time.

Christmas Home Tour

I found this great idea on another twin mommy's blog...thanks Heather! Kevin and I spent the evening last night checking out other people's blogs and looking at all their Christmas decorations. I thought it might be fun to participate as this first Christmas with the boys will be a very special year for Kevin and I. If you want to tour other people's beautiful and unique Christmas homes click on the link below.

My grandmother had Santa mugs like these for my sister and I to drink egg nog out of. When I saw them a couple of years ago I had to get them! Brings back many good memories.

Our fireplace with only two stockings. The other two are in the closet because the stocking holders won't stay put and we don't want them falling on the boys. This Nutcracker is my favorite Christmas decoration, I picked him up a few years ago during the after Christmas sales.

My small collection of nutcrackers with a picture of Anderson and Jake on Santa's lap this year.

Our Christmas card collection. The boys LOVE looking at all the babies and kids! They laugh and touch them every day before their naps.

Our Christmas tree.

Being Anders

6 a.m. this morning

Jake making a mess of his pancakes.

Anderson asking for just a little bit more...

Such sweetness

Anders up to no good

Today we woke up to a winter wonderland or has Jared would say "The last blast of '07". It was a beautiful sight but brrr was it cold and windy! We planned on bundling up the babes and taking them out for their first sled ride but after Daddy came in from shoveling the snow he said it would be too cold for tiny fingers and toes. So we spent the day doing our usual thing...eating and playing. I've included some pictures of Anderson because he really cracked us up today. He spent the day hugging me, Kevin, Jake and Elmo. Every few minutes he would come up to one of us to show us his affection. On Friday I realized that he was signing "eat" to me. We have only used a couple of signs with the boys sporadically but he was clearly telling me he wanted some food. It was so awesome to see him communicate his needs. What a sweet boy our Anders is!

Festivus For the Rest of Us

Jared, Brian, and myself during the cookie making marathon.

The final product....festivus cookies.

Christmas jammie bubbies

Look out Jake, Anderson looks ready to charge your reindeer.

Today Jared and Brian came over for some Christmas cookie making. Jared and I had talked about doing Halloween cookies but that never happened so when I called him today to do the Christmas cookies he was all over it. It was more work than we anticipated and the clean up was hell but we have some yummy cookies to show for it.