You're not two yet...still one...still my babies...

So much in the last year of your precious little lives have changed. When you turned one, we celebrated with such joy. We'd survived the first year! Which by the way, was rough, to be honest, we described it as hell. But looking back, it doesn't seem so bad. It seems like a bunch of sweet memories and time, spent holding and snuggling you. When you turned one, you were still such babies though I'm not sure we realized it. You couldn't walk yet, you could barely jabber a word or two and yet now you're both wild, talking, rambunctious toddlers. When and how did that happen?

Ella Sofiya, or Elle Bell (Evan called her this the day that she was born and it stuck) as we call her, my Miss Priss...will melt your heart with her head cocked sideways grin and will push you away and yell, "back" all in the same breath. Elijah, my sweet baby Lije, or Lijah Day as he's often called is the most laid back baby you'll ever met. He's a go with the flow kind of kid, until Ella steals a toy that is...but even then at times he'll let her have it.

Ella is a Mommy, a caretaker, and the boss of her brothers. She's quick to take charge and tell them what to do or what not to do, but she's also quick to take care if someone is hurt. About a month ago, Lije was crying and I was out of the room, she ran to me and said, "Sumum wong with Lije." Often if he's in the other room playing, she'll suddenly say, "I go check on Lije" and in the other room, you hear, "You okay, Lije?"

Elijah has the sweetest heart and the sweetest voice that you've ever heard. Often, out of the blue, he'll pick up a toy or Ella's blanket and take it to her saying, "Here El-La" with a pause between syllables. His heart is often broken if she refuses his offer especially when attempts it again and she yells, "no."

Their personalities are so different. I just love it! Elle Belle is the wild and crazy one and talks NON STOP!! Lijah Day wants order and peace, and is generally soft spoken yet they can flip flop in a second. And when they do, you better sit back and enjoy the show because Elijah can get so silly and Ella will love on you like there is not another tomorrow! Last night was a good example of Elijah being silly, we were on our way home and the Black Eyed Peas song, Boom Boom Pow came on the radio, Ella was hamming it up singing and clapping her hands while Elijah just sat there taking it all in and watching us all act crazy. When we got home and started getting ready for bed, we were all done singing, and all of a sudden, Elijah started yelling, Boom Boom Pow, with the perfect tune, spinning in circles!

It's hard to believe that these two little ones are almost two years old. Time sure flies...when you're not waiting....why can't it be the opposite? My babies are all gone, such big kid toddlers now...but I'm still clinging to age 1...just for a few more months anyway. Mommy so loves each one of my babies...all 3E's!!

The pictures below so express their personalities to a T!

They were taken while the babies were sitting on the front steps next to our Mums.