Making history in the most heartwarming way possible, a pair of twins have captured the PE Express Christmas baby competition crown, becoming the first duo to share top honours in the contest’s proud 21-year tradition.
Identical twins Alessio and Azeylio Visenyoue have utterly charmed the judging panel with their absolutely infectious smiles.
The delightful duo from Kensington, Gqeberha, were born just one minute apart on 14 March 202 5 to proud parents Yardley and Reevan Visenyoue.
Alessio arrived first at 14:21, followed by his twin brother Azeylio at 14:22.
The journey to parenthood proved quite the surprise for the young couple. Yardley discovered she was expecting the day before her 25th birthday on 10 August 2024.
“I’ll never forget the day I found out I was pregnant – gosh, I was over the moon!” she recalled. “I found out a day before my birthday,” she shared. “I jokingly said to my husband whilst we were waiting for our turn with the gynaecologist, ‘What if it’s two babies or three babies?’ My husband just laughed it off, and when it was our turn, guess what we saw? Two little blobs! My husband was in shock, but I was over the moon!”
Despite their gynaecologist’s prediction that the twins would be fraternal, Alessio and Azeylio proved to be identical, though Mom has always been able to tell them apart.
“My gynaecologist convinced me that each child had their own placenta and sac and would not be identical. It’s safe to say he was wrong,” she laughed. “But I could always tell them apart; however, dad and the rest of our family, not so much.”
The twins’ unique names hold special meaning for the family. “Azeylio and Alessio both mean ‘God’s gift’ – they are actually biblical, but I just added and twisted a couple of letters around,” explained Yardley. “I had an entire list of names; it was so hard, but I couldn’t imagine them having any other names.”
These are the couple’s first children, with twins running in Yardley’s family on her mother’s side.
“They are our first children – hopefully not our last! I’m praying for another set of twins!” she admitted with a chuckle.
The nine-month-old boys are described as “such happy, joyful little babies” who are “always laughing and smiling and very curious.”
Their favourite entertainment comes from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Miss Rachel, with Yardley occasionally having to mimic the characters’ voices to encourage cooperation.
“From time to time, I have to mimic Mickey Mouse and Miss Rachel’s voice in order for them to cooperate – I don’t know how I discovered that, but it works.”
When it comes to feeding time, the twins enjoy their purées, particularly fruits and sweet potatoes, whilst watching their beloved programmes.
“Every day is a different ball game with these two,” their mother reflected. “Sometimes we take naps together, and other times one sleeps and the other just refuses.”
The victory in the PE Express baby competition marks a joyful milestone for this charming Kensington family.
“I was so excited to hear they had won the competition; they really do win everyone over with their cute little smiles!”
