The Holy Lands: ONE + ONE = DOUBLE the FUN!

From womb-mates to room-mates!

It's really here... the twins' birthday! It absolutely blows my mind that we are celebrating one full year with these beautiful, busy, whip-smart, smiley kids. It's been a year that has required much caffeine and many deep breaths, but we wouldn't trade one second of the chaos for all of the bliss it's brought us.

As a birthday present to Kendal and to me, both babies are standing up on their own! Carlisle can confidently pop up from a crouch and Jackson easily lets go of a chair, toy, etc., once he's in standing mode. They can each stand for a good 30 seconds before falling on their booties - Carlisle even claps while standing and fully expects everyone in the room to join in! They are mere days away from walking (I think) which is exciting and terrifying, but mostly just plain great. I am dreaming of the days - still in the future, but not so far off - when they will hop out of the car on their own without our having to lift the heavy carseats... But by the time those days arrive, we'll surely be wishing they were back in their swaddle blankets!

Jackson Camper (Jackson, Camper - take your pick!) is always so happy and has an easy grin and is so darn cuddley. When he's screeching in irritation we call him "Cramper" but most always he's just a great little guy. He was the first to master sitting up and stood up first in his crib all by himself, as well as learned first how to make his knees and hands work in sync to craw (not that any of this is a competition, just milestones and observations I promise!)l. He's always been a great eater and opens his jaws extra wide for every bite. He still coos and squeals and likes to sing to himself in the early mornings before it's quite time to get up. He is the fastest crawler in the entire world - there's no way he can run any faster than he can crawl. He's the adventurer and loves to explore, to examine, to take things apart, to ponder. He crawled right up a set of stairs on his first try and hasn't looked back! He's a quick one!

Carlisle (or Carli Mac, or Warley) is also a really happy kid. She's miss independent and quickly mastered clapping, as well as standing on her own. Jackson had been pulling up for several days when - out of the blue - Carlisle just pulled up in her crib like it was no big deal. She watches and observes and then picks things up. I fear she's going to mastermind a lot of pranks and try to blame it all on her sweet bro. She is a total daredevil and loves to be thrown in the air, to swing high, laughing all the while. She has a huge grin that lights up her whole face and just makes you melt - watch out, boys (and Will Eldridge, her first crush)! She babbles a lot and makes the funniest gurgles and shrieks. She can pull out the crocodile tears in a heartbeat when she doesn't get her way and is bound to be a total drama queen, but then she just bats those huge blue eyes and all is forgiven and forgotten.

The twins truly are already best friends. They love to play, steal each other's toys and love on each other. Nana (Kendal's mom) has been here the last week and she has great stories: Once again, Carlisle stole a toy from Jackson and he just cried and cried. She then crawled over to him and patted him on the head and he just lay his head on her shoulder (mind you, she didn't give him back the toy, but she did make him feel better!). Nana also said she experimented with bathing them separately the other night, thinking each would have such fun on their own with all the toys to play with. Apparently, bath-time for one is no fun and each was totally bored! GanGan (my mom) kept the twins for several days last week and was just amazed by how well they played together and communicated, though the sibling rivalry is already in full swing. We pray they will always share a special bond and love and support each other throughout their growing years and beyond. Happy first birthday, Jackson Camper and Carlisle!!! We love you!!