Dear Babies,
Today you are now one year old. How fast time flies!
At first you were just a hope and a dream.
And then finally, it was time! At this time last year, I was getting to the room where you would be born. In less than an hour, you would be in your Daddy’s arms, after all those months of waiting.
The first few days and months were full. And long. And hard (at times). And wonderful. You were here and healthy. We recovered. We learned to nurse. We learned to be a family. Your grandmothers both came to help us. And then it was just us. And we kept learning. How to get you both fed. How to get you both bathed. How to deal with the crazy little moments that you handed us.
And you were lovely.
Then, suddenly, you were starting to sit up and roll over. 
And we were getting pretty good at this whole “family” thing. Except that Alex still wasn’t sleeping well. But you wouldn’t know it from the pictures!
You started growing and developing really fast. And your Daddy and I adored you. (Still do!)
And the last few months have been so fun to watch. You’ve learned to crawl. And stand. And reach for things. Your personalities are shining through. And in all of it, your Daddy and I are praying for you, watching you, loving you, wanting the best for you.
So, now, on your first birthday, I’m just amazed at how far we’ve come.
My Erin, 
You are sweet and tenderhearted. You have started to look at us, when Alex gets extremely upset, with great concern in your eyes and get upset yourself. You are so much like me that it’s amazing. In fact, you were getting frustrated the other day, trying to put a CD case back in a cupboard, and I heard your Daddy say, “Erin, your momma is showing.” But you are joyful and happy. You wave, clap, shake your head yes and no on cue, and you pat your mouth as if you’re making “Indian calls.” You like to play peek-a-boo everywhere and with everyone. You love to stand on rocking chairs, backwards, and rock. Much to Mommy’s chagrin. And you still love to snuggle. You are my snuggle baby, my lady baby, our Sweet Erin. I love you.
Sweet Alex, 
You are such a doll, my buddy. Your laugh can light up a room. You love to point out ceiling fans and lights, especially when they aren’t on. That concerns you a lot. You love to climb stairs, and people, and chairs, and over things and well, you are my climber. You love the Christmas tree. Love it. The gate we set up to protect it has barely been able to keep you away from the glittering lights and ornaments. You wave and point and give high-fives. Your faux-hawk is finally starting to go away. And you are my adventurous, social, happy guy. You love people. You want people to love you. And we do, Buddy. We totally do.
So on this, your first birthday, my babies. I just wanted you to know: it’s been a wonderful, hard, really great year. I can’t wait to have many, many more with you!
December 8, 2009
December 8, 2009
aww, how sweet! how has it been a year already??
happy birthday, little ones!
December 8, 2009
ADORABLE! I love the last two pics. Happy birthday, sweet children! 🙂
December 8, 2009
Awwww, happy birthday sweet babies! I too can’t believe a year snuck up on us already!
December 8, 2009
happy birthday babies!
December 8, 2009
a whole year? wow! i remember seeing their first pictures and thinking alex looked exactly like you…but my goodness. that picture of erin looks exactly like you!
i love the one of them waving–that’s precious. time flies!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY A & E!!
December 8, 2009
Awwww. Very sweet. Happy Birthday sweet babies! And congratulations to you and Eric for making it through a wonderful and challenging first year of parenting!
December 8, 2009
Happy birthday to your sweet babes! Time sure does fly!
December 8, 2009
Happy first birthday, little Alex and Erin! Thank you and your wonderful mama for teaching me a lot in the past year!
Shannah – the pictures are just wonderful. I got a little choked up just thinking back over the year, and seeing how far those two little people have come! So fantastic. Congratulations to YOU!
December 8, 2009
Happy Birthday little ones! They are so beautiful.
December 8, 2009
So sweet Shannah; you have a beautiful way with words, and beautiful babies too!
December 8, 2009
Oh my goodness that went fast! I loved your post (and pictures
). Happy Birthday Alex & Erin!!
December 8, 2009
So was it a fast year for you, Shannah??
December 9, 2009
Aww they are gorgeous 🙂
December 9, 2009
I can’t believe it has been a year already! They are beautiful babies!! Happy Birthday, Alex & Erin!
December 9, 2009
Wow, that year went fast! For us, anyway!! I hope you had a great day celebrating!!
December 9, 2009
Happy Belated Birthday, most adorable creatures!
I don’t know much – in fact, my knowledge is limited to ten opinion-related “facts.”
“If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” That mitigates my knowledge every time
I hope you had a joyful celebration!
December 14, 2009
I loved this letter! What a gift those two precious ones are!