Oh my goodness you’re already 9 months old. Happy birthday lovie loos. It’s hard to think back to two years ago when I desperately wanted a baby. It was all consuming and my lovely and supportive mom kept saying, “Don’t think about it. You’ll get pregnant when you least expect it.” How could I not think about it? It was impossible. I ached for you everyday. Although I’m a very open person, I didn’t share this deep desire with many. This was so personal and private and I didn’t want people to ask every time they saw me or to feel sorry for me because it was taking so long. We had to wait 11 long months before it was confirmed that I was pregnant with you. We were so proud when we found out we were going to have two baby girls. So many expected us to be scared or overwhelmed but we were exactly the opposite. We couldn’t wait to meet you and here you are all grown-up.

Emma-

My lovely, brilliant, athletic girl. You just learned to say ‘up.’ You approach us and want ‘up.’ Sometimes you even look up at me and say ‘up’ and giggle when a pick you up. You’re eager to stand on your already very sturdy legs. You can crawl and sit from a crawl position and love to climb Sofia. You love to clap and smile. You are not particularly attached to any one toy and you love it when mama reads Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Sofia-

My lovely, brilliant, sociable girl. You just learned to say ‘mama.’ You say it when you are feeling particularly needy of attention and want to cuddle with me. You’re ability and determination to get to where you want is amazing. You smile at strangers and trust everyone. You’re very attached to mama’s small Clinique make-up bag. You grab on to it from the minute you get up and take it with you everywhere. I have offered you more cuddly options but you’re simply not interested. You love rolling around on the carpet and you also love it when mama reads Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?.

We have just started finger foods. It’s fascinating watching you figure out how to use your hands and to feed yourselves. You make a great big mess but I’m proud that you work so hard to gain independence. Although, I miss holding you and feeding you I’m delighted you hold your bottles on your own and drink your formula side-by-side without assistance. I’m so grateful you have each other. There are few things in life better than a sister. My hope is you’ll be close and support each other when you need it most.

mamaloves you so much.

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Emma and Sofia gave me the most thoughtful Mother’s Day card:

It reads;

Mom,

Happy Mother’s Day! Last night in our cribs we worked on a list of all the things we want to thank you for but it was much too long. We had to cut it down to just the most important ones so here they are,

1. Thank you for putting on our clothes and wiping our faces (even though we complain, we do appreciate it)

2. Thank you for being silly and teaching us how to make noises with our mouths

3. Thank you for mashing up food for us and letting us hold the spoons

4. Thank you for making up songs to fit every activity

5. Thank you for always smiling at us (your smile makes us smile)

6. Thank you for teaching us two languages

7. Thank you for showing us places on the map

8. Thank you for keeping dad around-he is awesome!

9. Thank you for always encouraging us when we try something new

10. Thank you for letting us explore

11. Thank you for always finding new ways to make us giggle

12. Thank you for keeping us clean, warm and happy

We love you Mommy!!

Love Emma and Sofia

P.S. Please let us eat wires.

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Dearest little buttons:

You’re six months old today (March 3, 2009). Happy Birthday! Your strengths, weaknesses and interests include :

Strengths: you smell like the sun, roll over, sit, giggle, reach and grab, kick with excitement, recognize your mama and dad, sleep 12 hours a day, take 2 naps, moan with pleasure while you sleep, allow me to hug and kiss you vigorously without ever complaining, make funny sounds and bubbles with your mouth, removing pieces from your puzzle Interests: love music, riding in your stroller and car seat, love books, the exersaucer, watching mama dance

Weaknesses: No clue what to do with the Jolly Jumper, difficult to feed, putting everything into your mouth, and hate getting dressed after a bath I know you’re identical twins, but geez, I can’t believe you actually have the exact same strengths, weaknesses and interests. The major difference is that Sofia, you tend to do things first but Emma perfects it. Your dad and I are determined to ensure you grow up to be individuals but if you insist on being the same, so be it.

mama loves you so much.

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