These Two are 2!

TWO?.... TWO!... TWO?  I walked around the house, work and my life for weeks when we found out we were having twins declaring the words "TWO."  SHOCK, EXCITEMENT, WORRY all ran through our minds as we anticipated what life would look like as parents of twins.  There were ups and downs and then the unthinkable happened, there was the threat of loosing them.  As my studies at school have recently brought to light once again.... little baby B that was ruptured at 20 weeks is truly a miracle!  There are few records of babies being ruptured for 13 weeks and surviving and thriving quite the way he has.  Infants with premature rupture of membranes are at times saddled with chronic respiratory issues, cognitive defects, feeding issues and the list continues....I wont bore you with the details:)  Lets just all agree that we are BLESSED beyond words!  Now all the credit doesn't go just to Benjamin.... little Nathan had to cooperate too.  These TWO have been quite the tag team for quite some time!  Nathan kept the infection away and gave Ben a nice big bag of amniotic fluid for which to grow on.  Benjamin fought hard, GREW, matured his lungs and behaved long enough to give both himself and Nathan the best possible outcome!  TWO babies are TWO times the bottles, TWO times the diapers and TWO times the amount of laundry.  TWO babies are also TWO first smiles, TWO "I Love yous," and TWO fuzzy heads to kiss!  The last TWO years have been filled with every emotion, amazement, laughter, stress, worry, excitement, exhaustion, energy and LOVE.  Each stage is fun and each stage has its challenge. Nathan and Benjamin are the best of friends, constantly looking out for each other (or hitting/biting each other). The relationship is truly a bond...one I hope lasts forever!
As they get older friends and family continually say "who do they look like?"  The question intrigues even us... take a look at some photos that we found of some important people in the boys lives and let us know what you think! (sorry auntie Kristin.... we didn't have a 2 year old photo of you!)

Daddy... around 18 Month to 2 years

Mommy on her second Birthday

Hunkle Stephen on his 2nd birthday.... not to mention Gramma in the background!

Hunkle Adam on his 2nd Birthday

Funny Stories

* Every time we leave their bedroom N &B walk down the hall way and close all the doors! and yell "buhBYE!"

* Ben likes to hang on the refrigerator and ask for a "NAck" (AKA Snack)...when given a "Nack" he quickly responds with.... "Ney, Ney?"  If he gets a Nack he assumes Nathan needs one too... so cute!

* "Need More" are common words at our house! More milk, more food, more garbage trucks more construction trucks

* We had a babysitter a little while back and her mom made the comment that Tara knew exactly the boys routine at night... if she did something wrong, they would show her what they usually do... including laundry in the closet etc!  So smart. 

* On our way to play date the other day we pulled into the driveway and the Wiggins SUV was in the driveway.. Nathan promptly relied "HI, Nowa".... (AKA Hi, Norah!)  so cute... they love each other!

* Each night the boys pat the bed and yell Berkeley's name so that she can read stories with us... now they pat the couch and want Gramma or Daddy or mommy to sit and watch Bob the Builder with them or read a book... so cute!

* Every night when we put them to bed Nathan waves and says "BUHBYE"...Ben does it now too!

Things they love....

Ben: his new farm tractor that makes animal noises, his Thomas the Train Tent, pretending to feed his baby or mommy and daddy, the play food. 

Nathan: Loves blocks, is OBSESSED with his Vacuum... well any vacuum for that matter and likes to cut his wood fruit and play with the blender!

Both boys also love Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam and the Alphabet, number, color, fruit train videos (good find Jen!)

Favorite books...

Knuffle Bunny (thanks Melissa and Lilah for the suggestion)

Anything Dinosaurs

Curious George

Arther

New tricks and skills...

*Opening and closing doors (the new ability to use the doorknob)

*taking shoes and hats off and putting them in their plastic drawers in the closet

* zipping and unzipping things.... Nathan was half dressed one morning!

* When asked how old they are.... "TWO"

I think that TWO is going to be a good year.... we have TWO big challenges this year potty training and big boy beds.... neither thing is very exciting to me right now.  I think the key to success in both areas is getting mom and dad geared up... and lets be real, I'm not even going to attempt either one for quite some time!  TWO seems to be our lucky number!

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Babes who are TWO!

I LOVE YOU BOTH TO PIECES!

Love Always

The Utechs