And then God said, “Let there be two”…

Just one short minute later (see previous post) there you were – Screaming and yelling like you wanted to start a fight with somebody, anybody. Even the nurses said “We’ve got a feisty one here”. After several minutes, you were still screaming. You just seemed to want it your way, and a year later that really hasn’t changed.

Even when we were up in the nursery later you were still screaming for all to see. This photo shows just how red you really were.

Parents are always hoping that their children share some of their features and looks, so while I was happy to see Andrew have some of my features – I was just as excited to see that you looked just like your mom. Before the doctor had even finished pulling you out I whispered to your mom “he looks just like you!”. Now truth be told, you mom was not nearly as excited at that moment since she was on an operating table with some major surgery going on, not to mention a lot of pain medication.

But as time went on this past year it has been great to see you develop your own special personality. Yes, you still have that temper and yes, you always want things your way, but we’ve learned to deal with that. You’re always happy, smiling and making yourself and others around you laugh. You can make Andrew laugh just by looking at him sometimes. You are just plain goofy! But that too, you get from your mom. It’s one of the things I love most about you both.

From the moment you entered our lives you brought joy and happiness that can never be replaced. While it’s only been a year, it’s hard to imagine what life was like before you and Andrew. I’m looking forward to the years to come and all of the surprises that come with it.

Happy birthday son.

Love, Dad

I remember it so clearly..

You were the first one the doctor pulled out and the moment I looked at you I knew you were my son. You looked so much like me even from that first moment it was hard to believe. It was like a mini-me.

Although you cried, you were not nearly as cranky as your brother. I think he was tired of you taking up so much space for the last 9 months. You were the larger of you two so by both timing and size you are the big brother to Maximus. You must always be there to look out for him.

Because you were straining to breath just a little bit, they quickly took you away to the NICU department to monitor you and make sure you were developing normally. It was a short visit, only a few days, but it was hard to not have you in the room with us and Max.

It was a hectic first day at the hospital with both Grandmothers there, aunts and uncles and friends of the family all there to see you boys that first day. Most also came down to the NICU to see you too, even though it added extra time to their visit.

Later that evening I came down to visit you in the NICU, not with more visitors, but by myself. I sat there and rocked you in the rocker, and for the first time since you were born – I cried. Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy for having two sons after so many years of wanting children. It was such an overwhelming feeling of joy that I just couldn’t hold it in.

And to this day, I still get chocked up when I look into your eyes sometimes. Even after a year, it’s hard to believe we’re so blessed to have you both in our lives.

Although it was a long wait, the wait was well worth it.

Happy birthday son.

Love, Dad

What does it mean to have twins? Next week they will be a full year old, and I thought it might be a good time to reflect on the year.

Here is a brief look back at the last year and some of the things that have changed in our lives. While everybody tells you “life will change”, you really don’t realize the extend of that until it happens to you, no matter how often you hear it.

Here are just some interesting facts about the last 12 months.

4,380 Diapers
5,544 Baby Wipes
17,520 ounces of milk
1,736 jars of food
31 boxes of cereal
3,110 photos taken
360 nights with not enough sleep for Mom &Dad
1,155 minutes of video (19.25 hours)
1 CAT Scan (for Andrew)
1 MRI (for Andrew)
2 Visits to the neurosurgeon (Andrew is totally fine – don’t worry)
2 twins a walkin’
5 road trips to Detroit
3 trips to the McDonald Play Area
18 trips to the shopping mall
3 different Nanny’s in less then 4 months
2 Eye doctor appointments
1 pair of mini-glasses (for Max)
3x higher healthcare cost
and 1 house so full of love that we wouldn’t change a thing.

Even on the toughest days these boys have always been a joy to have in our lives, and I can’t tell you how many days I would come home from work and just be so excited to see them (assuming I got home before they were sleeping). While life in some ways is more difficult and challenging, it is more then offset by their unconditional love and joy they bring to our little family. Not only would I do it all over again, I wouldn’t mind of they had a few siblings in the future. But I’m not the last word on that one.

Happy birthday boys. You’re the best.

Love, Dad & Mom