Dear Jake and Luke,

It's hard to believe that you are one! Time seems to fly right by us, but I wanted to stop and reflect on what a whirlwind year it was! I vividly remember the day I found out there would be two of you. I must admit that I was terrified! Daddy was happy and calm the second I told him! He knew you would change our lives for the better right away! Mommy had to leave work early and be on limited activity since twins "typically" come a month early. Well....Mommy was home for almost two whole months waiting for you! Finally,at 38 weeks Lukey had had enough! Lukey's water broke around 1:30 am and we waited for Patti to come watch your big brother. Jakey, you were my mover of the two..always active. You were baby A throughout the entire pregnancy, which means you were supposed to be the first out, but Luke got sick of waiting so he ended up being baby A and came out first at 6:44 am weighng 6 lbs 5 oz. Jake came at 6:51 am weighing 6 lbs. 11 oz. Everyone in the maternity wing was pretty much there and so excited because twins are rarely delivered the old fashioned way and at 38 weeks! We got to bring you home in two days, also unheard of for twins! We had lots of help! Grandmas, Grandpa, Aunt Linda, Aunt Shanell, and Aunt Tiffany were all on hand to hold you! You looked so much alike that we had to keep your hospital bracelet on for a couple of days..just in case! You loved snuggling up together and slept in the bassinet together until you got too big! Then you slept in the same crib until you started rolling on top of each other. You didn't really cry too much..only when you needed something. Mommy was so thankful that you have such a good Daddy, because he would change and holdone of you while Mommy fed the other one. I initially fed you at the same time, but you both were so interested in what the other was doing it made the experience very stressful for Mommy. So, you would alternate who got to eat first, but I will admit it was usually whoever was crying the loudest, usually Jake! We were sleep-depreived, but you guys were actually good sleepers! The doctors made us wake you up in the middle of the night to give you extra feedings since the charts were never on our side! If we made it on the charts, we celebrated! They didn't see how much you ate, or how much you moved! Daddy heard a great saying, which fit us perfectly. "The days are long, but the years are short." How true this is! Some days seem to go on and on because we are feeding, changing, bating, etc times 2 but it is astounding that you are already a year old and almost walking! We've loved watching you develop...from learning to roll over, to crawling, to saying words. While we knew what to expect this time, it was an amazing thing to watch since you had each other to learn from. Lukey, you are so determined. You worked at crawling for weeks and weeks until you finally got it down. Jakey, on the other hand, waited to see what Luke did and then copied him! I can't wait to see how your personalities continue to develop, and if you end up getting back at your older brother! When we tell you stories later on in life about how we are surprised you made it out alive, know your big brother Ollie "hugged" you out of love ! :) Our lives are so blessed with you in them and I couldn't imagine it any other way. I can't wait to see what you do next!