We're One!!!!

Josie and Piper turned one yesterday!  We can't believe how fast the past year has gone.  We have experienced pretty much every emotion during the past year: happiness, fear, stress, exhaustion, exhilaration, anxiety.  And of course we have been very very very tired at times.  There were times in the early months we didn't know how we would continue with the sleep deprivation and the exhaustion.  Thank goodness we are past that.  I don't think there is a day that goes by that I don't say a little prayer of gratitude that I don't have two newborns anymore.  One-year-olds are FUN!  They are doing something new and different every day now and it's always always funny and cute.  They are crazy little girls and zooming all over the place, getting into everything, and making lots of big messes, but they bring us a lot of joy.

Here's their one-year chair picture with the stats from their one-year doctor's appointment.  Getting them to hold still for this is getting more and more difficult:

Measurements for one-year and a little about each of them

Josie
Weight: 19 lbs even
Height: 28 1/2 inches
Head: 18 1/4 inches

• Josie has discovered clapping in the past few days.  About 20 times a day, she looks at you and spontaneously claps and smiles and is completely DELIGHTED with herself.  So freaking cute!  
• She carries around two wooden toys from an infant IKEA toy and bangs them together all day.  She would be fine with only these toys.
• She says mama and said "daddy" the other day very clearly.  I think she will probably talk a little sooner than Piper.
• She has stood on her own for a few seconds, but really isn't that interested in walking or doing much "cruising" although she can do it if she tries.  
• She is sweet and silly and very tender-hearted.  She likes to cuddle in and lean her head to "touch heads" which is her version if kissing. 

Piper
Weight: 18 lbs 3 oz (she has been dieting during her illness)
Height: 28 inches
Head: 18 1/2 inches (how is it possible that she has a bigger head?)

• Piper's latest thing is pointing.  She seems to understand what certain objects are in books and on her toys and will point to them and make her little sounds.  She still loves to read books at night and will sit in my lap and point out objects on her toys, puzzles, and books.
• Piper is more interested in walking, pulling up, cruising, and starting to practice standing on her own.  She doesn't like when we make her do it though.  
• She is still very independent and will sit and entertain herself with a toy with no problems.
• She is a little trooper, tough, spunky, and crazy!

Some pictures from a year ago

 Josie

 Piper

 Piper

 Josie

Happy birthday to my sweet, beautiful, funny, sassy, silly, crazy, adorable little girls!