Some Birthdays are Bigger than Others

Growing up!

Some things don't change in a year.  For example, this time last year I was putting in lots of miles on my bike to get ready for RAGBRAI, a week long bike ride across the state of Iowa.  My brother, Bruce, and my son, Corey, were doing the same.  And here we are again, wondering why anyone would want to ride a bike across the state of Iowa and anxiously, crazily anticipating the trip.  The difference is that Corey and Bruce actually made the trip in 2015, which might lead one to believe that they are the truly crazy for doing it again!

I, on the other hand, sent Flat Lory as my RAGBRAI representative last year, when Faith and Naomi decided to enter the world at just 24 weeks, weighing slightly more than a pound a piece.  3D Lory spent the week with their brothers Aidan, Josiah and Elijah, loving it and (realistically) longing for bedtime - theirs and mine (which coincided pretty closely).

Of course, the girlies first months of exploration where medical in nature. It was quite some time before we could even get a clear view of their precious faces.  But it was worth the wait!  After almost four months in the hospital, they came home tethered to oxygen and monitors with endless doctor's appointments and medications.  Court and Christine threw themselves into the honor of loving and caring for the girlies - oh, and their three brothers!  

Faith making it through an obstacle course 

Naomi's birthday smiles!

Now, weighing in at about 15 pounds a piece, they are exploring the reaches of the universe, or at least of their universe, and getting more bold by the day!  Faith, especially, gets herself into some pretty amazing positions trying to keep up with her brothers.  Naomi is perfecting the army crawl as well, though she can also get what she wants with her beautiful smile.  The world is wrapped around their tiny and perfectly formed and functioning fingers.

So, little girlie girls, it has been quite the year, an extra special one because of you!  This Granma can't wait for another year of loving you both!  Happy First Birthday!