Milestones and 12 Month Sears Photos

Now that the kids have turned 1, they are starting to change everyday and reach new milestones. Some of the new skills they have learned over the past few weeks include taking their first unassisted steps - not consistently walking yet, but very close - and making animal noises - their repitoire includes Monkey, Dog, Cow, and Lion.

We went back to Sears to have their 12 month photos taken. Unfortunately, it was ridiculously hot in the studio and the kids cried more than they smiled. But they still got some cute ones, even without the smiles. Some of the photos are below:

First Birthday!

Yeah, it's a birthday! Dixie and Duchess getting into the birthday spirit!

It is hard to believe that Cameron and Isabel are already 1 year old! It's been a challenging year, and we have certainly learned a lot about being parents. Jason likes to say that we've learned how to raise kids through trial and error, so we'll do better for the next set of twins! Overall we all survived a year, the kids are continuing to grow and learn, and Mom and Dad are still sane (most of the time).

For their first birthday, which was Wednesday, August 5, Mom and Dad Darling took the day off from work and made it a special day for the twins. We marked the day with wheat pancakes for breakfast and a trip to the Franklin Park Zoo. It was a very hot day at the zoo, and Cameron and Isabel enjoyed the Gorillas, Zebras and Giraffes the most. Below are a few photos:

Our two little Monkeys with one big Monkey at the zoo! (and some kid in an orange shirt)

Dad showing the kids the Zebras.

Mom with Cameron and Isabel at the Giraffe exhibit.

After the Zoo and during their afternoon nap, we made a special carrot cake for their birthday, complete with separate little cupcakes for them to mash and smash all over the place. It was a "healthy" cake, in that we didn't add any sugar. The twins liked it, but not as much as the ice cream they ate when we went out to dinner as a last treat for their birthday! After dinner and cake and ice cream, they got to open their presents. Then it was off to bed...needless to say, after such an exhausting day, they slept very well!

Isabel seems to be very pleased with the mess she is about to make!

Cameron is mesmorized by his cupcake!


"Dad, is this one for me? Can I open it?"

"Thanks Mom. It is just what I wanted!"

After celebrating their actual birthday, we planned a small celebration for Saturday, August 8. All of Meghan's family (except Uncle Doc) made the trip up north to Boston, and all of Jason's family came down from NH and VT. We set up some activities in the back yard, including a water table and slide borrowed from the neighbors, some sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and a crawling tunnel. We served food hot off the grill and finished it off with another cake, this one full of sugar! It was a beautiful Boston day, probably the best day of the summer. Several photos from the day are below:

"You want me to go down this slide? This one right here?"


Isabel checking out her new crawling tunnel.


Cameron really enjoyed the water table, and got most of the water all over himself!


"Yay, it's a birthday party for us!" Isabel showed off her new clapping skill.


All of Cameron and Isabel's cousins made it for their 1st birthday. Jordan and Madison Tabaretti and Ethan and Anna Dean.

Below are some before and after photos of the cake...

Before....

After...Isabel smashing the cake into her mouth!

After...Cameron enjoying the cake, AND the plate!