11 Months and Counting

It's hard to believe, but my little ladies are only 3 weeks away from their first birthday. I have mixed feelings about this upcoming birthday. On one hand, I'm so proud of how far my girls have come. They went from the NICU to walking in only 11 months, quite an accomplishment. They are growing and changing so much, it's really amazing to watch! They're just getting so big (a phrase I'm sure I will be saying for the next 20 years!). On the other hand, it makes me a little sad. Pretty soon they won't be babies anymore, but I guess time always marches on...

Here's my beauty queens:

Lily loves hanging out on the living room pillows

Big smile from Madison

Yawn!

Crazy hair!

Our living room is always a mess, but I wouldn't have it any other way

I've started planning the girls' birthday party...let's just say that the theme is "pretty in pink" :-) It will be a mix of handmade things and store bought decorations...I hope it all turns out well!

We took the girls' pictures for the party invites, and we got two of my all-time favorites:

They are just too beautiful for words!!

My First Mother's Day

This past weekend, I celebrated my first Mother's Day! Last year, Mother's Day was very rough for me. It was the day after my baby shower (and I was still very swollen from being on my feet during the party), I was almost 32 weeks pregnant, and I was miserable! Of course, it was well worth it!

Our holiday weekend actually started on Friday, with my Dad's birthday (May 6th). He came over in the afternoon to play with the girls. While he was over, each baby took her FIRST STEPS (they went from my dad to me)!!!! I think it's pretty amazing that two babies who spent 12 days (Lily) and 17 days (Madi) in the NICU are doing so great! They really amaze me everyday. Madison is now walking all over the place. Lily will stand alone (without touching anything), and will walk alone occasionally. Both girls love to walk while pushing their Dora push car. I know that once Madison really starts to take off, Lily will be right behind her (it was like that with rolling over, crawling, pulling up, etc.). I think I'm in big trouble!!

On Mother's Day, I woke up to my husband bringing in both my babies to me. What a lovely sight in the morning! When we walked into the living room, I saw my presents from "the girls" (really, my adorable hubby). There was flowers, a card, and a necklace. I love the necklace! It has both the girls' initials and their birthstone (pearl). Lovely :-)

The best part, though, was spending the whole day with my girls! They have changed SO much in the last 11 months that I can't hardly believe it!! It's already time to start planning the big birthday party (yikes!). Let's just say that I have mixed emotions about that one! (tear...)

The day before Mother's Day 2010

Mother's Day 2011