Happy 2nd Birthday, Miles and Vivienne!

Today, my "babies" turn 2 years old.  It is amazing to me how the time has flown.  It's hard to imagine that just two years ago, I met these two precious people that would profoundly change my life for the better.  And it's hard to imagine that in just a few days, their little sister will have her actual birthday.

Because their birthday fell in the middle of the week, we decided to celebrate the kids' birthday last Saturday.  We started the morning out at the pool with Grandma and Grandad, which is one of their absolute favorite things to do.  Afterward, we came back to the house for popsicles on the back deck and lunch.  After their naps, Grandma and Granddad came back again for cake and to open presents.  Their two favorite presents are clearly the Lego train set for Miles and Vivienne's new baby doll, both gifts from Grandma and Granddad.

My mom ordered cakes for the kids, and they were beautiful.  Vivienne's cake had a princess on it with a poodle and Miles got a Thomas cake.  They were both perfect and the kids were delighted by them.

They both enjoyed having their own enormous cakes to eat.  Vivienne really dug into hers with a spoon and had a grand old time.  Miles preferred having Daddy feed the cake and ice cream to him for some reason.  I guess he likes the royal treatment.

I can't believe my little boy and baby girl are two years old.  They have the most incredible personalities, and it has been so fascinating to watch them develop and grow.

Miles is a spunky little guy.  He is all boy and loves to wrestle with his Daddy and play with trains and cars and trucks.  He is absolutely fascinated by Thomas the Tank Engine.  He certainly has a sensitive side, though, and loves to snuggle.  He has an incredibly sweet way of talking to us - usually in a language that is all his own.  He will chatter away with hand expressions and point to things and tell you all about them - the only problem being that we can't understand a word he says when he does this.  At other times, though, he will very clearly tell you what he wants or ask for something specific.  I just need to get his adorable babbling on video before it is replaced by understandable language.  Miles thoroughly enjoys giving high fives to everyone in the room, and he loves to run around naked (which Grandma is luckily much more likely to oblige than Mommy and Daddy).  When you point a camera at Miles, he will almost always tilt his head to the side and say a really drawn out "Cheeeeeeese!"

Vivienne is sassy and energetic and full of personality.  She loves to make faces and give big hugs and blow kisses.  She has a recent fascination with her baby dolls.  Hopefully this plays well into the introduction of her baby sister any day now.  She likes to feed her babies and put them to sleep and change their clothes.  She loves her brother and will often bring him his lovey (Pooh Bear) or his sippy cup.  "Maya" (Miles) is definitely one of her most frequently used words.  She is also in love with my parents' Sheltie, Mindy (Vivienne calls her "Minmi").  Vivienne's bangs are growing out, so they are always in her face, but sometimes she lets me put pretty bows in it to hold it back from her eyes.  She is very coordinated and loves to run and climb and explore.

Miles and Vivienne, you are truly the light of our lives.  Your Daddy and I love you more than we can say.  Know that we will always love you, and we love watching you grow into the amazing little people that God created you to be.  Happy birthday, my loves!