Born on the cusp in the month of November.....

They were born together...Ben at 8:04 (roughly on the dot) and Alya about 30-40 seconds later, also, technically at 8:04. She has her own birth time - 8:05.

There is an ultrasound photo floating around in a memoir box that shows Ben head butting Alya in the ass. I like to think it was a moment captured in time that was payback for whatever she was doing to him in utero. If you are in touch with your body at all and have given birth to a child, you had a suspicion about that child's personality before they were born. We nailed ours.

Adam likes to think the children disspell all theories of astrology. I think it is simply stated that Ben is a Sagittarius and Alya is a Scorpio. If you are unsure, look them up....

Ben is a fun kid. He is happy and goofy and always looking for fun. He is sensitive and thoughtful and bright. He loves nothing more than doing math on the calculator and reading books. Ben is easy to please. He is always willing to snuggle and love. He is very expressive and articulate. He is slightly extroverted and motivated to find solutions to problems. I can always count on Ben to do what I ask, to be dependable, and to follow instructions. He is also the supreme goofball. I'd say he is all boy, but he isn't much of a runner or jumper or climber....and aren't those stereotypical "boy" characteristics. Ben is a lover, not a fighter...if anything sums him up, it's that.









Alya is as unique as her name. You never know what you are going to get. Everything in Alya's world occurs on her terms and by her coditions. When she loves, it is deeply and sweetly, and when she is mad, she is explosive. Alya is a beautiful, free-spirited child. She is more relaxed and less structured than her brother. Alya loves to go with the flow of things and just be in the moment. She is very introverted and will cautiously watch a group before joining in (if she joins in). She adores her brother and depends on him for a lot of her social interaction. Alya loves animals and nature and has a true passion for all living things. She is a girly girl, adores dresses and being a princess.












Ben and Alya are a perfect mix. The do have a bond that in unique to anything I have ever seen between siblings. I guess you never truly understand a twin bond until you see it in action every day. They love each other so much. We love them so much. Being blessed with them both, so very unique and different - having those distinct personalities to love and enjoy is such a wonderful, wonderful experience...every.single.day.

5 years have passed...ever so quickly...and we've gotten to know Ben and Alya ever so well, and, I am thankful beyond words for what we've shared and for what lies ahead.

Ben will always make sure the balloons don't fly away...



Alya will always share love on her terms.....




They'll always make each other laugh..



And they'll always be able to get in touch with their inner most goofy selves thanks to having someone objectively, unconditionally love them no matter what...their twin brother and sister (and mommy and daddy)....but sincerely, how nice to have someone their age who loves them ever so much who they can bounce ideas off of, and be themselves with...it just seems like the greatest thing ever....or maybe watching it as a mommy is the greatest thing ever. All I know is I feel a love and a joy when I am with them that nothing can ever touch.



And now we must go, for gifts have been opened and sprinkle doughnuts devoured and they are tiring of their games. Off we go to celebrate....