I mean, we do this twice a day every day. Whhyyyyyy are you fighting it?! I know you're sleepy. Mav threw his binky out of the crib and Tuck realized he can reach out and yank on the monitor cord. Great.
Maybe once they go to sleep I'll feel like writing sweet things about them. But for now, I'm going to write a list of our victories over the past year. Take that, you stinkers. I'll write about ME. Are you seriously still standing up in your crib? UGH!
1. I survived the year. The first year with twins and having 3 kids. I don't remember much about it, I know I didn't sleep much of it, but we made it through and I have taken enough pictures to remember that it happened.
(break to go pat Tuck's back... oh, he pooped. Well, gee, no wonder he didn't want to go to sleep. I don't blame ya, bro.)
2. My marriage survived the year. I'm just being honest, people. Twins make you close to insane and since you can't take it out on them, you take it out on your spouse. At least that's what I did. We were stressed, overtired, and never got time for each other. It definitely makes it hard. But we made it through the year where the babies require the most attention. I'm careful not to say the "hardest year"... because I know being a parent isn't just hard when you have to get up in the wee hours of the morning to rock a baby back to sleep. Now that things are starting to run a little more smoothly, we can hopefully be less stressed and have more opportunities to escape for dinner or a night out. Hallelujah! We need it.
3. I breastfed the whole year! I don't mean to brag, but seriously, this was no easy thing! But darn it, I did it! That was my goal, make it to a year without having to use formula. For months I've been saying that I couldn't wait until they could have cows milk and I could be DONE... and now? I'm having a hard time giving it up. I have been only nursing about 4 times a day (morning, before both naps, and before bedtime). Today was the first day I put them down for both naps without nursing them, which is what I plan to keep doing. I will probably hold onto the morning/night feeds for just a little longer.
4. Easton survived the year! Big bro has been a complete angel the past year. God blessed us with the most easy-going toddler for this past year. He's always been a good boy but he was so much better with the twins than we expected. He loves his brothers and doesn't act out for attention. He will bring me diapers and help me whenever I ask. There were times this past year we would put the kids to sleep and let him stay up for hours afterwards because we needed that time with him. He has been our little sunshine! Now the twins are getting closer to the point where the 3 of them can play together all day and be best buds. I'm excited for that!
5. I lost my baby weight! Well for now, I may find it again someday... haha. But thanks to a 90 day challenge I did and some tedious calorie counting, I am back to pre-baby weight and only 6 pounds away from the weight I was when I got married! I am hoping the routine I've gotten used to will help me keep the weight off... I know that I can count on some calories burnt chasing kids around!
6. My boys are strong and healthy. We made it through the first year with no major illnesses, no trips to the ER, no bad boo-boo's. They are growing, they are eating, they are healthy, Thank you Jesus!! I know with three boys the ER trips will probably come eventually, though... today I walked out of the room and came back to Tucker standing on the end table in the living room. He loves to climb and it's a problem. They keep me on my toes, for sure!
7. Our families still love us! We have relied on my family and Jeremy's family so much this year. The Grandmas, especially, have been lifesavers. They have babysat countless times, changed many, many diapers, listened to me whine and cry, made us food, brought us food, and been such a huge support to Jeremy and I this year. We have mooched off of them for help and food for so long, but it seems like they still love us! We were smart to buy a house within 5 miles of both sets of parents. I won't ever be able to thank them enough for helping us through this past year.
I'm sure there are so many other victories from this past year, some big deals and some small. But I'm just proud of our little family for making it through this year. And let me tell you... I am coming out of this first year with a whole new perspective on life. There were times this past year that made me throw myself little pity parties... oh poor Hannah, she has so many kids and so much to do and so much to clean... blah blah blah. And for that I feel terrible, because I cannot comprehend why God has chosen to bless me with SO much. I have the most wonderful husband and THREE beautiful, healthy little boys to call mine. I've started to notice the look in some of the older peoples eyes when they say I have a beautiful family. It's a look that seems to say oh, I miss those days. Some day my kids will be grown up and I know for a fact I will say that these were the golden years. I won't remember the up all nights and the teething and the constant washing of sippy cups. I will remember being home with my boys in my cozy little house, listening to their laughter and living the dream! Cause this is the dream, my dream. I couldn't wait for all this! To be the wife, the mom, the lady with a bunch of kids running around the little house that she owns! I am so, so blessed.
