Year One

You've come a long way babies. You've survived a whole year of life on earth. You were born into a beautiful paradise and survived a move halfway around the world. You've already been to more Theme Parks than most do in a lifetime in your first tender year. Julia can already recognize and say Donald Duck. Genevieve has shown a preference for the princesses. When I look back at their baby pictures I can't believe they've changed so much in just 12 short months. There are times when I still can't believe I have twins. The mornings when just one wakes up and I'm cuddling them alone on the couch I wonder how easy it would be with just one. But then I look at the twin in my arms and realize my life would be missing what the other twin brings to our family life. They are so different, their personalities could not be more opposite. They are a study in duality. There are times when people don't believe that they are twins. Their physical differences are striking.

Genevieve is taller and has a full head of hair and beautiful brown eyes. She loves to smile with her bottom teeth sticking out and likes to study a situation before she is willing to jump into the fray.

Julia likes to run, she often walks with her hands behind her back like she's addressing a jury. She likes to snuggle and enjoys chasing her big sister Gabriella around the house. Both girls love their daddy, especially if he happens to be sitting on the floor. They crawl over him like he's some sort of jungle gym. Their giggles and "discussions" when they wake up in the morning make all the hard stuff worth while. I suppose I could list how hard it is to be a mommy of multiples but I don't think it's that hard. Overwhelming? Yes, and at times I feel like I've been ground into the dirt with the heel of a combat boot. But through it all, through all the difficulties and tears the twinkle in their eyes as they call me mommy makes it all worthwhile.