Happy Birthday Jude & Sloane!

Linking up with Twin Talk today and sharing Jude & Sloane's 1st Birthday Celebration!! They turned one on October 30, 2013.  Enjoy! :)

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Jude and Sloane's birthday party was so much fun (ignore the fact that it was two months ago)!

I kept everything fairly simple because 1) I am not crafty and 2) We're on a budget.  We invited quite a few people thinking no one would come because 1) It was a Saturday during football season and 2) It's a birthday party for two very small children.  However, almost everyone replied yes (cue temporary anxiety attack from yours truly).  It meant so much to me that so many friends were a part of their special day.  I will be the first to admit that many of Jude & Sloane's gifts were immediately packed away and then moved under the tree to be re-opened on Christmas.  Don't worry, we told them who gave them each gift (unless they really loved it and then we took full credit). ;)

The (loosely-based) theme was "Early Bird Birthday Brunch" and I'll let the pictures and side comments tell the rest of the story.

 The invite (with address removed)

 I miss having that many donuts in our home.

Mimosa Bar

 

They each had a Happy Birthday book for guests to sign.

The 45 (!!!) minute video we had playing in the background

Party favor: Gummy worms ("The early bird catches the worm")

 

 

We never got a picture with everyone but this one had quite a few.

 

 I snapped his chin with the hat. :( 

She had absolutely no interest in her cake.

Opening gifts after the guests left.

 

 

 

   

 

 

My brother flew down for their birthday.  It meant the world to me!

 

 

  

Our gift to them.  They love it!

 

Happy, Happy Birthday to Jude & Sloane!

30 Minutes

The twins were right in the middle of their morning nap when I realized I needed to use the computer.  I tiptoed up the stairs and quietly sat down at the desk in our living room.  I softly tapped the keys and finished my task in record time.  As I was standing up to head downstairs, I heard her.

Sweet Sloaney was awake.

It'd only been 45 minutes and their morning nap typically lasts several hours.  I peeked in the nursery and there she was, sitting up and looking right at me.  I turned on the sleep sheep and backed out of the room.  She immediately started whimpering.  I knew if I let her cry she'd wake Jude so I did something I'm not sure I've ever done before.

I walked to her crib, picked her up, and carried her to the rocker.  She was so warm and had a little red spot on her forehead where she'd been sleeping.  She had tired eyes and a soft smile.  I used my finger to draw her face.  Her jawbone, her cheeks, her perfect nose, her tiny lips.  I kissed the top of her head and inhaled deeply.  And then I took the blanket I've used countless times in the middle of the night and wrapped it tightly around us.

I let her fall asleep in my arms.  I was supposed to go to the post office and drop off several packages.  I desperately needed to clean the house since my parents would be visiting in a few days.  I'd just made a batch of pumpkin muffins and the remaining batter was sitting on the counter.  But all I heard in my head, over and over again, was this: "Babies don't keep.  Babies don't keep."  And so I stayed with her.

I looked down at my beautiful girl and watched her dark eyelashes flutter and then become so still.  Her hand slowly lost its grip on my finger and I felt her entire body relax in my arms.  At that moment, I realized she felt safe and secure and loved.

And for 30 minutes of an otherwise ordinary day, I felt safe... and secure... and loved. 

All About Jude | 13 Months

Jude Sullivan...

...absolutely loves music.  If a song is playing, he is smiling, clapping, and dancing. 

...gives great high-fives.  And after he gives you one he claps for himself.  No self-esteem issues here!

...will be the class clown.  If Michael and I are talking and one of us laughs, he immediately starts laughing (a ridiculous fake laugh), which makes us laugh even more, which makes him laugh even harder.

...has become quite the walker.  He still keeps his hands up for balance but is all over the place these days.  He does not like wearing shoes and struggles to walk while wearing them.

...is a pacifier thief.  He yanks it out of Sloane's mouth and takes off in the opposite direction.  Actually, he steals anything Sloane is holding.  Poor girl doesn't stand a chance.

...is an absolute bulldozer.  If Jude sees something he wants he heads straight for it, which means anything in the way (people included) gets trampled.

...has become a daddy's boy!  If Michael is in the room, Jude is right next to him!

...wears a size 4 diaper, mostly 18-24 month clothing, and a size 5.5 shoe. He has ten teeth.

...gives the best hugs.  He doesn't like to sit in one place for very long, but he's still so cuddly. 

...needs another haircut.  We're holding off for now but his neck and ears are starting to disappear again.

...is quite the flirt.  At one point he had every single Anthropologie employee crowded around him.  His trick?  When you smile at him he tilts his head to the side and shyly smiles back.  Cutest thing ever.

...does not like the stroller unless you are moving.  He's fine for a stroll around the mall, but don't you dare stop in a store for more than a few minutes.  He already hates shopping--how sad.

...only knows one volume: LOUD.  

...looks exactly like Michael or my dad.  We hear both all of the time.

...has the best legs.  They could not be shorter or chubbier.  I'm in love.