Ari & Ezra are ONE.

This year has been such a blur of happiness, laughter, chaos, frustration, tiny bit of fear and lots and lots of sleep deprivation. But here we are, somehow,

celebrating what seemed light years away, only yesterday. My itty bitty and teeny weeny COPY & PASTE are ONE. We have been so blessed they chose us to

be their parents. Truly, it seemed like yesterday that I was waddling around during Christmas at the brink of tears from the pain and pressure of them inside

me. So worried about their impending birth and future breastfeeding and all the other insanity that comes with multiples. And we’ve done it. All of it. A

whole year slipped through our fingers. Now we celebrate our last “first birthday(s)!” around the Pace house. I’m incredibly sad and aching over it, but good is

coming. These boys have brought immense balance and joy to our circus. I’ve loved every single second of it. Even when we had two very sick birds in the

NICU with RSV and our hearts were full of fear. Even the fact they still have me up 3-4 times on a good night. Even though my boobs have been through a war

of painful and bloody infections (still blood, thanks to teeth 🙁 ). Even though NOTHING has been easy with carting around 4 kids and forcing myself onto a

schedule of sorts. It’s all been a challenge, but oh my goodness, has it been the best. Now on to the new exciting chapter when they become toddlers. Can’t

hardly wait for 4 kids talking back and whining. :0 They look just the same, and their big personalities are so similar but so different.

This morning as I browsed their drawer, I saw these red and blue onesies. Instantly, I remembered one of the first pics I took of them 365 days ago. I assure

you, I didn’t plan this, because I can barely find time to pee, much less have the foresight for this. But alas, I had Adam recreate what once filled one arm, now

overflows into two. My big, strong, healthy, handsome and so damn happy boys. If you’ve never heard me say this, here is the color coding: 3 letters in both

words, ARI and HOT. So Ari wears hot colors like red, orange and yellow. 4 letters in both EZRA and COLD, so Ezra wears blue, green or purple. Sometimes

I don’t have either option or just one but I try really hard to stick with it for everyone. 🙂

LOOK AT THESE BABIESSS.

You scratch me, I slap you. HA!

Here’s a look through some of my favorites from the #DemPaceTwins hashtag on Instagram. Most shots are mine and Adam’s, but there are some

other contributors in there! I wish I could have posted all of them but that’s a lot of work!!

When they aren’t awake and smiling, they sure are being sweet while sleeping. Most of these images were taken after I finish nursing. I use a large

breastfeeding pillow so I have to place each baby in front of me on the bed in order to get up. Adorableness usually follows and if I have enough light,

I capture it. 🙂

My heart is confused with joy and sadness. I tell people all the time that I don’t feel done and that thought makes me super sad. But the thought of 5

kids seems to be terrifying sooooo. Tonight we are having a low key early New Years celebration and tomorrow a family party. I have so much more to post

but I’ll share another time with other images! Heart, Melanie