Happy 1st Birthday!

It has taken me months to post their birthday party pictures! We had such a great weekend celebrating the girls first year of life. The girls turned one on February 10th. I took the day off of work. We celebrated all day. Martin made the girls chocolate chip pancakes in the shape of a "1" for breakfast. They loved it! We opened their birthday present...... Two pink cozy coupes and went to a bakery to pick up cupcakes. We all went to visit our FAVORITE nurse at the perinatal office and the nurses in labor and delivery. Being hospitalized multiple times during the pregnancy, we met some very special people that we still keep in contact with. Saturday we had a wonderful birthday party with family. The girls enjoyed their cake and opening all their presents. All of these family members have helped us survive this first year of twins. They all to deserve to be celebrated.
We did a Valentine's Day theme since we brought the girls home from the hospital on Valentine's Day last year.  A sweet and very talented friend made the invitations.  www.annahatcherdesign.com


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The girls gave their guest "hugs and kisses" as a party favor

A very sweet and thoughtful friend, Lisa Johnson, made the girls pink strawberry cakes in the shape of a heart.  She brought me this same cake when I came of from the hospital after the girls were born.   I thought it was only appropriate to have it again on their first birthday...and it was DELICIOUS!

I can't believe they are 1. It is unbelievable that these two little girls were in my belly. They changed our lives forever. Martin and I still pinch ourselves and say, "I can't believe God gave us these girls...two of them."

Videos to "Catch Up"

Here are some videos to "catch you up" on what has been going on the last 3 months.

This is a video of Hadley's first steps.  Although I would still not say she is walking.  Crawling is what she prefers.  She will stand ALL day long but will only take 1 or 2 steps.

WARNING: I am loud and squealing in the background, but you can't blame me....it was her first steps. :)

Please do not judge me...I know she was holding a sharp point while walking...I was watching closely.

 Hadley rarely has a "tantrum" and I know that I can hardly even call it a tantrum....I usually laugh and step over her when she throws herself on the ground. This was one of those days that she was frustrated and kept having a "tantrum." All because she wanted her sister's sippy cup.  It was making me laugh. I also LOVE the chatting that Harper was "saying" this is her typical gibberish. "A dicca, a dicca, a dicca, a dicca" 

They love to ride in this tiny wagon.  They usually push each other around but sometimes they like to climb in there together.  It cracks me up how they play and tease each other.

Easter 2012

Easter Morning was fun for the girls this year. Martin and I decided that the Easter bunny drops off the baskets "by the door." Maybe it will be less creepy if the Bunny does not come in the house?

We filled the basket with a few toys, and necessities. 

They loved the dancing bunnies, especially Harper. 

They thought the sunglasses were funny.

 

They REALLY liked the toothbrushes.

But their absolute FAVORITE part was the pink crinkle "grass" in the bottom of the baskets.

We went to the Verizon Amphitheater for church.  We brought a blanket and we all sat on the lawn.  They girls did great.  They had lots of snacks and a lolly pop from their Easter basket.

We headed to my parent's house for Easter Lunch.  The entire Leech and Shepard family were there. 

All the Nieces/cousins/granddaughters!

Hadley

And we found a few eggs.

Stink Face

Hadley shows her frustration with this "look" that Martin and I call the "Stink Face." She has been doing it for a few months now.  We laugh every time she shows her Stink Face and we do it right back to her.  She now knows it is funny and laughs every time.  Recently, you can ask her to do the "Stink Face" and she will do it on demand.

Hadley had enough of the pictures and wanted me to pick her up! Stink Face

Hadley was mad because I took her apple sauce away...it was empty. Stink Face

This one was on demand.  It is they only way my neighbor can tell them apart.  She says "Stink Face" and that is an easy way to determine which one is Hadley. (When you say it to Harper, she just smiles at you)

Smash Cake

 These pictures are such a treasure to me. A sweet friend came to our house the weekend before their birthday and took these pictures. We bought a cake and set up a little smash cake session. I love that I did not have to worry about getting pictures during the day of the party instead I could enjoy the family there. They both enjoyed eating and playing in the cake.

Hadley kept making this face because it too sweet for her.

 Harper

Hadley

And the aftermath...

Before they got into the cake we took a few "12 month" photos.