Elliott and Samuel are not identical twins. As they approach their one-week anniversary of life and begin to fill out their faces and features, they do look more alike than they did on their birthday last Tuesday. But there are other differences, more subtle differentiations in personality and behavior, that are marking our twin grandsons as distinctive individuals.
The most obvious thing is the way Elliott prefers to have at least one arm straight up in the air at all times. Sometimes two; always one. It’s the funniest thing, the way his arm shoots up while he’s eating, in the middle of a nap, while he’s getting his diaper changed–all the time. Carrie-Anne says he’s praising God. I say he’s signaling for a fair catch.
Right now, I’m viewing Elliott as emotional and impulsive, while I see Samuel as contemplative and deliberate. Sammy seems serious, while Elliott seems ready to jump into action without counting the cost. Samuel’s little forehead is always wrinkled up and his arms always crossed in deep reflection. Elliott is fidgety and jumpy. They both have the deepest, bluest eyes. Elliott’s are opened more often. But Sammy’s, when they’re opened, are bigger and darker and striking in their depth. At this point, Sammy’s face is more expressive. The way he moves his eyes and mouth in seeming response to his circumstances, I keep expecting him to say something–something clever, something funny, something deep. I’ve been singing to both of them. Elliott prefers Tom Petty’s “All Right For Now,” while Samuel tolerates the Beatles’ “Golden Slumbers.” I’ve been talking to both of them about the things we’re going to be doing together very soon. And I’ve been informing them about our Creator and how loved they are by him and by all of us.
I’m sharing with you here two recently-released photos from the very first moments of our grandsons’ lives. One of the nurses in the delivery room Tuesday asked for David’s phone before the C-section and promised to take pictures. I didn’t see these until late Saturday. The first shot is Valerie seeing her newborn boys for the very first time and the second is their first family portrait. I think these are just incredible pictures.
I’m in Midland today and tomorrow, taking care of some things around the house and the yard, before I head back to Tulsa early Wednesday morning for the rest of the week. This is our summer vacation this year — grandsons in Tulsa! And it’s awesome!
Peace,
Allan
Recent Comments