Only a Mother...

The other day someone said, "those two are so identical, only a mother could tell them apart."  It made me feel a little bad because, of course a mother should be able to tell her babies apart, but I can't.  We've always kind of been able to tell who was who at a quick glance because Nelson's right eye was clogged and Braden's left eye was clogged so that side of their face would always be a little crusty.  But a week or so ago, they grew out of that, and we are back to staring at their chubby little cheeks.  For a while, Nelson's cheeks were a little bigger, but Braden kind of caught up.  At their last appointment, they both weighed exactly 14.09 pounds.  They were both 25 1/4"long.  They are quite identical.  But I've come to a new realization, I KNOW my boys apart.  I may not be able to tell them apart, but I know my boys, and their special traits and strengths.

Nelson at 4 months

Nelson is always trying to sneak in an extra feeding and special cuddle time in the mornings.  He is usually the first one awake, but still sleeping through the night.  He'll sleep 10-14 hours, and has been for about a month.  He loves his bed.  When I put him down at night he looks up at the mobile, even before I turn it on.  Sometimes when he wakes up, his is cooing at it again.  He's pretty willing to share his little straight-line smile with anyone.  He is super interested in learning to roll over and will fuss if he's held too much.  He wants to be on the ground trying out his moves.
When he is on his tummy, he can hold his head up so high.  Although he hated his first bath, he really, really loves them now.  He'll kick and kick, and then with the most serious-I'm-trying-my-hardest look, he will give a whammy kick with both legs and smile.  He is such a treat.

Braden at 4 months

Braden, my thumb sucker

I LOVE how concentrated Braden is on faces.  I catch him staring at Nelson a lot, and it warms my heart.  He likes to look at who is feeding him, and when he's sure he has your attention, he gives the biggest smile.  He has a great little giggle, especially when he's feeling Daddy's scratchy face.  He has taken a great interest in baby toys and likes to move them around in his hands.  He has been a great sleeper.  He sleeps 12-14 hours a night, and has for over a month.  For the last week or so, he has been a little fussy when I put him down.  I think he's chosen his special cuddle time to be the night, and would love it if I rocked him to sleep every night.  He loves to play with blankets and will put them over his face, almost like he's playing peek-a-boo.  He has a fun little voice and sometimes will blow bubbles when he sings.  I can always count on Braden to give me a good excuse to shower.  He's what the doctor calls a happy spitter.  And happy he is.  So happy.

All swaddled up for bed

Sometimes when I am holding them both up to my shoulders, they'll look at one another and start to coo.  It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, I am reminded how blessed I feel to be their mom.  I think they sleep so well at night because they can feel each other, and have each other close by.
My dad pointed out once that when they are in their car seats, their heads tip toward each other, and since then, I've only seen one time when it wasn't that way.

I know my boys, and love them.  I'm just going to have to start dressing them different all the time so I can tell them apart instead of only knowing my boys apart.