Celebrating Fitz & Alex: One Wild Year

I am going to just ignore the fact that it has been nearly one month since Fitz and Alex's big birthday, and cut right to the details.

The Saturday after their birthday, Mark and I welcomed family and friends to our little space in the world to celebrate One Wild Year.

It was everything I thought it would be and more and nothing like I thought it would be. Isn't that how parties usually go?

The food was easy and fantastic. We leaned on local barbecue maestro Johnny Ryan for smoked chicken wings and Boston butts; pasta salad sides and coleslaw from The Fresh Market.

The dessert table was one of my favorite elements, local shop Cake Designs did both smash cakes and the large sheet cake for guests. My fabulous and favorite "cookie lady" Ellen Hamilton did the most adorable animal faces and monograms for the sugar cookies.

The Watering Hole offered bottled water, Coors Light and Jungle Juice. After all, it really has been a wild year for everyone so Jungle Juice seemed MIGHTY appropriate.

I originally stressed hardcore about this party but then ended up doing everything décor-wise super last minute. I ordered a obscene amount of inflatable animals, thanks Amazon!, and they were the main focus for the party, besides the birthday boys of course. Paper products were solid green for main course and giraffe print for dessert, also from Amazon.

At nearly midnight the Thursday before the party I was up giving myself glue gun burns so we had a wreath that matched the party, and knotting jute to make a banner for the mantle.

 

I am my mother's child, without question.

As a party favor, guests had their choice of lollipops and/or zoo animal shaped bubbles. "This year has really blown us away." I can't help myself, I'm a writer. 

I wondered for months how the smash cake thing would go. In fact, I was extremely rigid in NOT giving the boys cake before their birthday. I wanted that picture. You know the one, with the glee on the kid's face as they dove head first into the icing.

Well, obviously, Fitz and Alex's plans always trump mine and we ended up with so many great pictures and videos. It warmed my heart.

 

I mean, these kids of mine? They really have a way of making sure you forget about the 5am wakeups or the constant stress on our budget or my constant worrying over Alex.

Or the fact that I about drove my super crafty mother crazy handing her a bag of remnants from Joann's four days before the party, saying, hey, you can do the highchair banners, right?

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Party details:

Invitations, menu cards, thank you cards: Shelby Berry

"Party Wares": Mantle banner, plastic ware, napkins, balloons, etc.: Amazon, Michaels, Dollar Tree
Fabric for tables and high chair banners: JoAnn's
Inflatable Animals: Amazon, Amazon, Amazon
Alligator Ring Toss: Amazon
Smash Cake, Sheet Cake: Cake Designs

Animal and Monogram cookies: Ellen Hamilton (she ships!)

Smoked Chicken Wings, Boston Butt: Johnny Ryan's

Pasta Salads, Colesaw: The Fresh Market

Candy Buffet: Party City
Zoo Animal Bubbles: Amazon

**Photographs by the talented Shelby Berry**

One Year

Happy birthday my darlings! I wish I knew what to say, but for once I find myself at a loss of words. I'm conflicted, you see. I want this last year back. I want to be holding a snuggly little five pound creature with the tiniest hands I've ever seen again. I want those days back where I was so exhausted I couldn't feel my feet—where we sat in the rocking chair in your room and I just hoped to God you wouldn't wake up your Daddy and I could just have five more minutes with you.

I wish I could have made some better decisions this last year. Sitting at the computer and thinking back I find myself thinking solely about myself: my feelings and my actions. I wish I could start over.

But I don't wish we could start over. See, I can find all the places I went wrong, all the places where I probably should have done things differently. But I don't look back and see one single thing you could have done differently. You were, and continue to be, the best babies in the world. You did everything I ever dreamed you would do during the first year. Well, except really walking on your own, but that will come. You've gained weight—Lord have you gained weight—you've learned to play with each other; you've learned to comfort each other and you've started learning how to be tiny humans. You've shown me that no matter what there's something bigger than me at play here. You push me to remember that life is so much more than anything I ever dreamed it could be.

You've changed my life in 365 days without ever saying an actual English word.

So many people tell me congratulations for making it to this day—for surviving this year, your first year. But honestly, I can't remember much about it. I remember snapshots, I remember certain shirts you had and little outings and small milestones, but I don’t remember January per se.

I vividly remember the day Alex sized out of preemie clothes. I vividly remember all the days I cried because I thought I was "messing up" as your mom. Like last night for example. I hope you forgive me for doing that. I didn't mess up; we made it to October 7, 2015.

This year was so fun, I hate to see it go, but damn, I'm ready for the next chapter. I'm ready to watch my twin toddlers learn to run and explore and watch seven million more Professor Toto and King Julien episodes and eat mac and cheese and do all the kid stuff.

I love you more than I will ever say, and you will always be my babies. But I think we're all ready for this transition from babyhood and I know we will "survive" it the way we always have: by figuring it out together.

Happy birthday, I hope you always love your flawed momma the best.

Nine, Ten, Eleven Months

I thought about going back and postdating your ninth and tenth month updates this morning before penning your eleventh month one, if only so looking back on this I could fool myself and think I had our lives a semblance of put together, but I decided against it.

Here's the deal babies: I love you so much; you're quickly becoming people though. You are eating table food and you don't take naps like newborns. Hell, you barely take naps like babies. You only get two bottles a day. You're on the road to becoming kids.

And we're busy. Not just because you're little people that keep me on my toes every single Saturday—but I've stayed committed to Junior League and Pure Barre and I joined a tennis team. And sometimes I just have too much fun playing with you to remember to write down what you weigh. I know, this makes me sound like a bad mom, but it's the truth. I love you so much, and you amaze me every day. But in the process of becoming your mother, I didn't lose myself.

So I'm just busy. I promise I won't disappoint you on the big stuff, because reading your mother's blog posts from when you were infants won't disappoint you, right?, but if I want to let this online journal slip a bit, it's no biggie.

I'm going to do an abbreviated update on these three months of your life. Really, the big one comes in a few short weeks, I already have a lot of emotions surrounding it.

At NINE MONTHS, we started weaning y'all off the bottle. It's been touch and go. Alex really took to it at first; but like always where one of you is, the other isn't far off. Fitz has found his groove and loves his milk. At your doctor's appointment, Fitzy was weighing in at 17 lbs. 14 oz. and Alex was a solid 16 lbs. 8 oz. Alex was shorter by only a half inch.

At TEN MONTHS, you turned our entire world upside down and started crawling. I baby proofed the house, or I thought I baby proofed the house. You've quickly shown me that really, it's y'all's world, I just provide the food.

At ELEVEN MONTHS, I can tell you both want to walk so bad. In fact, you both take wobbly steps every now and then, but as far as full on walking, we've got a ways to go. We've moved y'all to the big bathtub and that has become a full on disaster. It's starting to get better, but we're nowhere near it not being a full contact sport.

You've been on an airplane, you've visited your grandparents, you've eat macaroni and cheese and you've shown that you are, in fact, my children and took to ice cream and made me proud. You've both got a mess of curly hair and enjoy waking up at 5:45am every morning to watch the news.

Next month is "the big one" and I don't know if I am even remotely ready for it. You've changed our lives so much, but in a big way, it feels like you were just what had been missing.

Eight Months

**Only a week late because #mommaworks**

 Babies. OH MY GOODNESS. You are quickly becoming NOT my babies. You're such an active set of tiny people. You babble at each other constantly, and lately when you notice one another you visibly brighten. It's actually the most precious thing I've ever seen—and I know each time you do it I have the cheesiest grin on my face.

Mealtime is still your favorite time and you LOVE trying to help feed yourself. Your Daddy and I absolutely hate when the baby hands try to assist, but I also kinda think it is funny when your Daddy gets frustrated. In your highchairs after breakfast is usually your favorite time to "play" with each other, which usually just entails scream-talking at one another and flinging your arms about.

You both love vanilla custard and juice. We're still working on the sippy cup, you can't quite figure that ish out yet. Nearly every day you wear a polo with shorts to school and I can almost close my eyes and see two young adults in polos and shorts rushing out the door in the morning.

You are starting to have so much fun playing with your half brother and sister. They are very patient with you and you have fun watching them, trying to scoot over to them.

Fitzy, you're still a fuss budget and the chunkier baby. You're pretty good on the size portion chart: (20% for weight, 25% for height) but you got a big ole head (75%). You're over 17 lbs. now and you just feel like a ton of bricks: What happened to my 6 lb. newborn??? You have exactly one tooth that has cropped up on the bottom. It hasn't made it's full appearance yet, but it has broken through the skin—another sign you're a big boy. Your hair is officially out of control and like your Momma, the humidity does nothing for you. Some times I seriously consider putting a dab of product in it, and then I remember you aren't on Toddlers and Tiaras.

Alex, you're still Shrimpy, but you're catching up quick! You had some set backs with the worst case of diaper rash ever thanks to a little stomach bug. Seriously, you had a blistery butt: I felt so horrible for you. But, Al Pal, you've rebounded from the rash (sorta #godblessresinol) and you're on the growth chart! Still in the 2nd and 3rd percentiles, but hey, that's better than the 1st!! You're clocking in at a hefty 15ish lbs. You've gone from a single curl to full on wavy top, so who knows if you'll end up with the Fitz style afro or not.

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Photos by the insanely talented Shelby Berry

Seven Months

Tiny loves, you are quickly becoming medium loves! We went to our fancy new pediatrician this month and we love him. Dr. Glover is going to take excellent care of us, and he even put up with Momma's insane overparenting of Alex. #malrohelicoptermom

You've both got giant heads compared to your bodies, both on the growth charts and in real life, but it's okay. You'll grow into the Anderson head—I think.

Fat Fitzy Baby, we probably should stop body shaming a seven month old, you are the most content little dude. You're just so chill, it is literally unbelievable, I have no idea where you got it from. Weighing in at a nice 16 lbs. your seventh month has been filled with food. And more food. And a complete afro. You're going to be my jolly giant and I am thrilled! You have the tendency to fight sleep the most but are the cuddliest when you finally do crash. Your curls are starting to get out of control and I can't wait to see what the humidity does to your hair...

Little Al Pal, you're the more inquisitive one and are constantly looking around, talking and trying to grab at things. You're my one to watch. One of your favorite things to do is watch Monde des Petites, and I swear if I have to hear "le fruits" one more time…I'll turn up the volume and watch you discover one of my favorite things, because I talk a big game about how absolutely annoying those French videos are at 6 a.m. when you're awake and I am not, but I love the idea of sharing the French language with you and your brother.

Ignore the death grip you've got on that yellow pillow,

 This month you also had your first group date, and it went as well as could be expected. Olivia didn't pass out any roses, but if she had, and I was a betting woman, I think Alex would have had the edge.

Celebrating Fitz & Alex: Their Sacrament of Baptism

 I must be nuts, because Saturday over 40 people packed into our little Pre-War cottage…Doesn't that make it sound fancy? I feel like it does…and we brunched and celebrated Fitz and Alex entering the Catholic Church.

After months of "putting it off," terrible, I know, I finally just booked it. Surrounded by love, Fitz and Alex received their very first sacrament!

The party was a blur. I know I had fun, and I think everyone else did as well, since we ran out of food and booze by about 3 p.m.

I knew the crowd we were inviting was a eatin' and drinkin' crowd, but sheesh, we killed a nugget tray, chicken salad tray and 14 bottles of champagne in three hours.

St. Therese, that idea to have both a candy bar for the little kids and a mimosa bar for the big kids was a great idea!

Gave everyone a lot of energy when it came time to get the glitter chalk out!

I ran around the night before and the morning of like a crazy person, and I am so, so, SO thankful my best friend from forever (and art school grad! and newly minted godmother!) was there to help. She did the most beautiful flower arrangements cobbled together from things purchased at Costco, Walmart and Winn Dixie.

I wasn't emotional like I thought I would be, and I wasn't as stressed as I thought I would be (during the party at least). I was completely at peace, and that 10000% has to do with my continued prayers to Mary's intersession for a successful sacrament and reception.

 Plus I had dove shaped cookies, so the Holy Spirit was on my side!

Maybe I have this mother thing down?

Maybe not.

I can't wait to share my faith, and our wonderful Catholic Church, with Fitz and Alex.

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Party details:

Invitations, menu cards, thank you cards: Shelby Berry

"Party Wares": cross confetti, mantle banner, plastic ware, napkins, balloons, etc.: Party City, Costco & Michaels

Serving pieces: My momma's stash!

Glittered champagne flutes: IKEA, with glittered stems of course!

Dove shaped cake pops: TK Cake Pops (they ship!)

Dove and Cross cookies: Ellen Hamilton (she ships!)

Chicken Salad Sandwich tray: Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Nuggets: Chick Fil A

Fruit, Salad, Cheese: Costco

Candy Buffet: Party City & Fresh Market

**Photographs by the talented Shelby Berry**

Six Months

Babies. Holy goodness gracious. Six months ago, right this moment, I was a bowling ball completely horrified that I was about to deliver you. Horrified because I was so unsure of how this whole thing would work—you, me, your dad. There's been a lot of learning and a lot of mistakes, but thankfully, we're all still standing. For now. 

 

I remember when six months used to move at a turtle's pace, now it's like if I blink I've missed a week. You've grown and changed so much since we brought you home. Every day you continue to grow and change and scare the shit out of me. You've started grabbing each others hands and babbling at each other, like you just now realized your best friend is always just a few inches away.

You both are regular rollers now at school, but you can't quite seem to roll over for me. But that's a-okay. I'm not desperate to have you mobile. Rolling leads to crawling and crawling leads to college.

Fitzy, you're the chunky baby and while we haven't yet been to the doctor for your six month check up, I know you're packing in at a solid weight. You just FEEL heavier. You're a great eater and lately, after some struggles, you've become a great sleeper. You haven't cut any teeth yet, but you're super drooly and I know a tooth or two is on the way. You love to eat, and never, ever miss a meal. You're like a cartoon baby, you never stop smiling. Until recently, you had no interest in toys or books or anything, but now you are absolutely obsessed with a crinkly baby book your Grandma got you. Which reminds me that I'm the wrong kind of writer—who would have though four words was all it took to pen a best-seller.

Little Al Pal, you're getting chunkier every day and I just want to freeze you at this size. You're the most expressive thing on the planet. I mean, seriously, you throw side eye and smiles and everything in between. 12 hours with you can mean experiencing every emotion in the known world. You love playing with my old rag doll, Sally, and I am furiously searching for the boy version, Bobby. You're not the best sleeper, but lately you've been on a great streak! You don't have any teeth either, but I can definitely feel the ridges on your gums and I know they are coming.

You're the happiest babies on the block usually and I've taken to dragging you everywhere. So far, your favorite places to visit (besides school and Grandma's house) are Cloverdale Bottom Park, The A&P Courtyard and Aunt Jamie and Uncle Jeb's house.

Five Months

So, better late than never on this, as per usual boys. #mommaworks

Five months has absolutely FLOWN by! You're firmly eating baby purees and cereal. I'm so proud of you. Y'all constantly babble to anyone in ear shot. This month you both finally noticed each other and melted my heart! You now babble at one another and smile when you see each other. Sometimes you'll even hold hands. You love school and Miss Renae more than anything and we are so excited to have found that wonderful haven for y'all. You both absolutely love your big brother and he's pretty smitten too!

You really are the happiest babies I've ever seen. You get really mad sometimes, but you're just generally happy.

We just changed pediatricians (and didn't go this month) so I have no clue how long y'all are or how big. I weighted you by weighing myself and then with you each in my arms. I'm not sure that was the most accurate because there's no way in h-e-double-hockey-sticks Momma weights what the scale said...

Fitz, we've taken to calling you Fitzy and you're still just as Fuss Budgety as ever. Though lately, you throw a lot of side eye at Alex. Which I find hilarious but I probably shouldn't encourage. You're definitely a better eater—dude you never, ever miss a meal. You get so frustrated when you try to roll over and can't seem to make it work. You love your door jumper, but only in small increments. After about 25 minutes you are so.over.it. You give the biggest and best smiles. Your hair is starting to get a little out of control, with weird tufts of curls on the side. Your first haircut is quickly approaching I think!

Alex, you're still my sweet little Squeaks. You eat a little slower, a little more mindfully than your brother. Squash is NOT your friend—at all. I haven't seen you that upset with your stomach since the untreated malro days. You love pears, it's probably from my sweet tooth you've inherited. You're the sweetest boy. Still smaller than Fitzy, but you're catching up, quickly. You and Charles have totally hit it off this month. I think it's mainly because you both are fascinated by moving pictures: TV, computer games, iPad games, iPhone games, you name it, you and Cha love it. It's so odd, but I would swear on my life you actually watch TV when we sit you up on the couch.

Four Months

You're nearly five months now boys, but a lot has happened in January and February, and we didn't go to the doctor until last week, so I feel like throwing this up late will be okay, because #mommaworks.

Four months seems to have just flown by! We battled some sleep regression and lately little Al Pal has decided he doesn't want to sleep at night, like at all, so that's been fun. Normally, you're great sleepers and go down around 8pm and wake up between 6:30 and 7am.

Momma celebrated her birthday and like the angels we know you to be (most of the time) you both slept through the night that night. Thanks kids!

It is still the dead of winter, and you've each contracted nearly every disease in the book: RSV, ear infections and the flu. That crap SUCKS!

You've both started on solid foods (well sorta) and it's been a slow process for us all. Y'all are as stubborn as mules, or much like your mother according to your father, but I will be damned if I don't get you eating the mushy foods before too long. Less dollas toward the formula bill!

Fitzy, you're still the ultimate Fuss Budget and I love you for it. You were the first to roll over, and while I'm not 100% sure you rolled over by your own power and not because you fell over…but that's not important. You're mobile! At your check up you weighed in at 13 lbs. 4 oz., my darling chunkier baby. Built like your dad, you're a long guy as well, at 25 and a half inches. You're firmly in the 3M clothes and about ready for the size 2 diaper.

Fitzy, you're not one to ever miss a meal.

Alex, you weighed in at almost 12 lbs. (11 lbs. 13.8 oz.), and you've almost got a set of squishy biscuit knees. We've worked hard for every ounce on you kid, and to see you finally gaining, well, it’s my greatest accomplishment as your mother. You take your bottle like a champ and you're definitely the better cereal eater. You go Glen Coco! You're still built like me, long and lean, measuring 24 inches. 3M clothes are still a tad big on you, but they baggy style suits your not laid back personality. You're the first to show the tell tale signs of teething, but you don't have any tooth ridges yet.

Door jumper is still a little too advanced for you Alex.

Birth Announcements

So, birth announcements are supposed to be sent when exactly? When the baby (or in this case babies) in question is around three months? Good, because that's when I got these mailed out. #momfail

The last of these adorable things hit the post office yesterday, so I don't feel guilty sharing them with the internet now. Thanks to the super talented Shelby Berry for designing them and the super talented Kim Box for snapping the pictures. They are honestly perfect. My favorite touch was that the were printed front to back, so each baby had his own side!