Daddy's Letter to the Girls

Madison and Kaitlyn

Today is the first anniversary of your births; and so much has changed in a very short 365 days.

When your mom and I learned that we were having not one, but two children, you were immediately referred to as Twin A and Twin B. But now, you go by many names. At first we teased your grandparents by telling them you were going to be named Paris and Brittney, two pop references I hope will have disappeared by the time you’re able to read this. Your given names of Madison and Kaitlyn bear no family significance, which now seems fitting because despite being ‘identical’ you both have truly become individuals in your first year of life.

Mads, Madzooks, Madzilla are just some of the names you’ve picked up as our first born. But Madison, ‘mad’ would be the last word I’d ever use to describe you. Day in and day out you’re quick to smile, laugh, and seem to enjoy the moment. By doing so you’ve touched the lives of so many; and so many that we don’t even know. Both you and your sister were a traveling circus in your first year. No matter where we would go people always had to stop to see the girls. It was irritating at first, but what I grew to appreciate was how people’s spirit seemed to be lifted, if just for that moment in their day, when they came in contact with you, and it still fills me up with pride.

Kaitlyn. My little bug. I’m not sure where that came from but it’s stuck and it’s been the only other name you’ve had. You’re my little fighter. One day we’ll explain to you the reasons we didn’t think you were going to make it, but you proved everyone wrong. You’ve caught up with your ‘big’ sister and challenge her, and us each day. Even in your first year you show a strong will, which I know is what brought you through the rough times before you were born. You’re inquisitive but at the same time timid. You’re quiet yet playful. You are a true mix of your mom and dad. I think the best of both of us.

Over this first year you’ve gone from fragile little babies who had to be fed through a syringe a milliter at a time to girls that are eating solid foods, holding their own bottles, taking first steps and trying to put together a language. You’ve come so far. Your mom and I should have taken the hint when you were born at 34 weeks and came straight home. There will be no holding you down.

But not everyday has been cotton candy. You’ve had your share of ups and downs. A five-week cold that led to sleepless nights and a faucet for a nose. A ‘female’ issue just before your first birthday. Visits here and there to the doctor just to put our minds at ease. But over the months of watching you grow we’ve been told time and again how fortunate we are to have such healthy and good girls.

As you continue to grow life will no doubt throw many things your way, and while I want you to experience everything, know that in one way or another I’ll always be there for you to help you find your path.

Until I met you both I didn’t know what it meant to truly love someone or something. Thank you for filling my heart.

Happy Birthday babies!

Daddy

Double Blessings

It has been a long time since I have updated our blog. Our family has been so busy both personally and professionally. Bob's been busy covering both college and high school baseball playoffs (UNCW is the NCAA tournament!). He also resigned his contract with WECT. My company reformulated our flagship product and I have been driving up and down Coastal NC promoting it. We also bought a new house which we will close on the day after the twins birthday party. But, most of all we have been busy with our babies, or should I say toddlers!

I can't believe that tomorrow I will no longer have babies but toddlers. Madison and Kaitlyn are turning one. This time last year I was crying to Bob because we thought and the doctors thought these girls were heading to the NICU. Instead, as I am sure they will do many more times in their life, they tricked us all. Besides Kaitlyn needing to be fed once through a tube, they were 100% healthy despite coming six weeks early. Here it is a year later and I am still crying. This time they are happy tears.

People say to me all the time "I can't imagine having twins" or "Oh I would never want twins, too much work". But to me and Bob we consider it a double blessing and we would have it no other way. I love not only being a Mommy, but a Mommy of Multiples.

So as their birthday is just hours away I cry as I think what went through this past year and then some.......Dr Cooper saying, "there are two heart beats", telling our family on Thanksgiving, IV fluids and zofran to help with the nausea, Angela writing on the sonogram, "buy me pink", sharing many hugs and tears with Dr. Wright, a scare of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, BEDREST, daily BP checks, Bob rubbing the cocoa butter on my tummy, the kicks and hiccups from in the womb, Bob seeing my tummy "move" for the first time, Bob feeling the girls kick in my tummy, my HUGE baby shower, decorating their Winnie the Pooh nursery, the c-section with Dr Jones and Dr. Robison, holding them for the first time, nursing, bring them home from the hospital, walks around the neighborhood, their first Fathers Day with Bob in their pink dresses, bath time, trips to the beach, smiling, rolling, bouncing, laughing, immunizations, teething, their first Christmas, their first runny noses, "talking", their first road trip to Florida, crawling, swim lessons, cruising, their first steps, finger foods, high fives, my first Mothers Day.......and the list goes on.....

Like I said how did I get this lucky?