Almost 1!

October 2009 at home in Spanish Fork, UT

I cannot believe they are almost one year old. My cute little boys! It's been a very hard year, yet I barely remember the painful and lonely recovery from the cesarean (as 4 days after the babies' birth Scott had to leave for 4 months to VA for military training.) I barely remember how I made it through the countless sleepless nights, though they were as real as days full of chores. Sleep-deprived and quite often despondent, I kept reminding myself, that my babies were a miraculous blessing, the answer to my many prayers, the responsibility I was yearning for. Those kinds of thoughts helped me to survive this past year. One day at a time.
Today I can easily get 8 hours of sleep, I can exercise, and even blog! It's getting better every day, but I so wish I could turn back the clock, take it slower and cuddle my babies instead of using swaddling blankets and a bottle in a bottleholder to comfort them. But I know it could not have been much more different unless Scott or Mom were near. I did my best and no matter the challenges, under emotional and physical martyrdom there was hidden a truly happy mama.

July 2010 in Auerbach, Germany

But back to my little people that have been causing recently both drama and delight in my life. They are fraternal twins, which means they are different but only a tiny bit. Even I have to look close at them to find Levi's hairline swirl or Ethan's tiny birthmark on his right leg to make sure who is who. Ethan is 2 minutes older and he acts it. He is a bit more reserved and doesn't get easily annoyed. He likes to figure things out for himself, for example, how to work a tub faucet or how to play a toy trumpet. He is the one who is more careful and suspicious of strangers, whereas his brother Levi is very social fellow and lets our visitors pick him up and helps them feel very welcome reacting with instant smiles and readiness to play. He is also the first one to scream when he's had enough. He keeps up with his brother on mastering the trumpet, growing teeth, and eating food, often stealing it off of Ethan's tray. Ethan doesn't let it go easy, he fights for his belongings even if it requires pulling on his brother's hair.

Ethan and Levi, 9 mos old in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland

Ever since their umbilical cords came off, I've bathed them every single day. About 2 weeks ago they started to regularly poop during their bath time. None of my other kids did that. These babies are having a contest, I think. One night I had to fish out their poop, drain dirty tub water, scrub the tub and refill it twice! The third time bath was quick, I didn't let them fool around and got them clean and out in a jiffy. Nadia or David usually stays in the bathroom with one of the babies while I take out the other, get him dressed, and leave him in the crib to fetch the second munchkin. We are a good team. Ethan and Levi don't just fall right asleep after their bath and bottle any more. They stand up in their cribs and holding to the side of it start jumping and giggling. It's so fun to peak on them. They are good buddies and have lots of fun playing and babbling with each other until they just drop tired on top of their blankets and fall asleep. I should go do the same. Sleep, I mean.