Happy 5th Birthday, Aly and Noah

Aly opening her present from Nana.

Aly with Nana on her birthday.

Nana with Noah on his birthday.

We had a cupcake on their birthday.

I baked their GFCF special birthday cake with Aly's favorite character on it on Saturday.

Noah ate two birthday cupcakes (I lined up GFCF cupcakes underneath).

Aly was so happy and the trouble I went through was well worth it in the end!

Our twins turned five past Monday!  I remember how small they were, using only finger tips to change their preemie sized diapers.  Now they are big chubby cheeked 5 year-olds full of energy.  Their personality and looks are so different, it's hard to believe they are twins.  I hope they will always have a special bond between them. 

Alyson is a tough little girl who went to Japan with grandma and lived away from us for eight months.  She is shy but very much in tune with her surroundings and people's feelings.  She likes to play with her stuffed animals and is a great playmates to her little sister.  She also looks out for her twin brother and feels protective towards him.  She is often the first one to tell me if Noah is happy or upset.  "Mama, look Noah is giggling!" she happily reports to me.  We love you Alyson and glad to have you back.  You are a big girl now, but I still can see your round baby face when I look at you smile.  Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

Noah is a very special boy with adorable smile.  Everyone who knows him comments how cuddly and cute he is.  It's his baby face and aura that almost has the same effect as hugging a fluffy puppy.  He is an emerging talker now and can request an item using speech.  He can now say "I want yogurt please!" and we are very proud of him.  He is a gentle soul and easiest going amongst his siblings.  He loves to hug people and being tickled.  He would say "more tickle"and already giggling in anticipation.  Noah, I know you are a smart boy and we believe in you.  Someday you will tell us what you have been thinking about all these time.  You have so many people who care about you and jump with joy whenever you make a progress.  What a lucky person you are.  We love you so much and thank you for teaching us to be patient and respect individual uniqueness.  Happy Birthday, Noah!