All in a Year

It is no secret that Mia and Ava made quite the entrance into our world last year.  We knew they would arrive before their due date, but never imagined they would come 10 weeks early.

As I think back to this day, one year ago, here are the first 10 things that come to my mind:
1. Mate running around like a crazy person
2. Being completely calm on the way to the hospital
3. Wanting something to drink so badly...I wasn't even allowed to have ice chips
4. Cinnamon, my nurse.  She was as sweet as her name.
5. Feeling closer to Mate than ever. Especially during the time between my water breaking and the girls being born.
6. Being told that the babies were girls
7. Hearing a single cry
8. Seeing Ava before she was taken to the NICU
9. Visiting both girls for the first time a few hours after they were born
10. Knowing they would be okay, but realizing I'd never stop worrying.

When I think back over the last year, here are the first 10 things that pop into my head:
1. Love like I've never known before
2. An appreciation for the doctors, nurses, and staff at Rainbows that will never go away
3. Living in a hospital for 52 days.
4. Bringing the girls home
5. Milestones
6. Tutus and hair bows
7. Snuggling
8. Routine
9. Smiles and Laughter
10. Surreal

As I think about the upcoming year, here are 10 things I am looking forward to:
1. Their pink and gray big girl room. . . this won't happen for a while, but the planning has begun
2. Our family vacation in the summer. . .finally getting Mate to Hilton Head
3. Their rainbow themed birthday celebration in February
4. Walking
5. First words
6. Mommy and Me classes
7. Getting rid of bottles and pacifiers. . . we are so close
8. More events with the Twins Club
9. Sleeping through the night. . . they basically do this, but 4:30 a.m. often brings just enough rustling to keep me up
10. Getting to see more of their personalities

What a year it has been!!!