I can't believe they are 18 months old already!!

I can't believe my baby girls are 18 months old already! It feels like yesterday that they were newborns. They amaze me daily. They have gone from tiny little babies to toddling toddlers in the blink of an eye.

Baily began walking first, at about 13 months, then Ally followed a few weeks later. Their teeth started coming in around 4 months. Baily now has seven teeth and Ally has six. They seem to be coming in the same order, but Baily's comes in first and Ally's follow shortly after. Baily says more words than Ally so far, but Ally's catching up with her. Developmentally, they are doing great!!!

These two little ladies are just so cute to watch. I've noticed one is more affectionate, and the other one not so much. One seems more independent than the other.

Lately we've been taking the girls out of their stroller and letting them walk. We've decided to use harnesses for when we are out in crowded areas. I know harnesses aren't for everyone, but they are working for us. When I saw people using them I used to think, "they aren't dogs, why are they using a leash on him/her?". I didn't think I would ever use them on my kids, but so far so good. The girls are loving their independence and I love watching them explore.

Am I the only one.......

that doesn't get the comment "I want them to have their own identity" when referring to not dressing twins identically. No matter how they are dressed their identity comes from within. Not having their own identity lies within the individuals whom address them or by those who label them as "the twins" and don't know each of them as an individual.

No matter how I dress my girls, they will be referred to as "the twins" by some people. Some people will know them enough to tell them apart and treat them as individuals and other people won't. In my family, they are referred to by their given names, I rarely hear anyone call them "the twins". My Dad sometimes calls them "the twinies", but he also knows them individually and he can see their different personalities even at their young age now (17months old).

I dress my girls the same, day and night. So far it hasn't given them "one identity". No matter how I dress them they will develop their own identities, that can't be controlled by the way I dress them. I realize they will start to have their own opinion as to how they want to dress. When this happens I will let them pick their own way of dressing and clothing, with limitations of course. (I've already been through this with my older son and daughter.) I can't see dressing my twins identically when they are older, that will be their choice to do so or not.

This statement isn't meant to offend anyone. I just wanted to put my opinion out there about what I think when it comes to dressing twins alike and their not having their own identity.

First Birthday!!

Ally and Baily are one. I can't believe how fast the past year has gone by. All in all, they are really good babies. There were a lot of sleepless nights and stretching myself really thin at times, but the are good natured and not too hard to take care of. Don't get me wrong, it's a job taking care of two babies at one time. The work its hard, but the payoff is priceless. I love seeing two little smiling faces looking up at me as they reach their arms out to be picked up by Mama. They are so sweet most of the time, but they can have an attitude at times. They are as precious as can be.

Happy 1st Birthday Ally and Baily!!