Comparing Brothers

Left:
Jeremiah pulling to standing when he was about 9 months old.

Right:

Nathaniel pulling to standing at about 8 1/2 months old.

It is obvious that my boys are brothers. They have the exact same color of bright blue eyes and similar blond hair and light skin. However, as Nathaniel continues to grow (like a weed) I see more differences, especially when I go back through Jeremiah's baby pictures and compare the two. Looking at these two pictures there is the obvious difference in size. Jeremiah was a compact, chunky little fellow. Nathaniel is long and lean.

I notice personality differences. Jeremiah was a more serious baby with intent and curious facial expressions. His smiles were more close mouthed and reluctant. He was not afraid of strangers but others had to work a little to coax Jeremiah's smiles and conversation. Nathaniel is joyful and effusive. He smiles often with bright sunny smiles that light up his whole face. He appears to never meet a stranger and everywhere we go he smiles and chatters to everyone we see.

Jeremiah was a scheduled baby. There was hell to pay if he did not eat or sleep at the precise moment that he was used to. He rarely slept anywhere other than his crib. Nathaniel sleeps whenever the mood strikes and can be content for hours without eating.

Then there is the way that they play. Jeremiah is a meticulous and precise little man. Even as a baby he rarely just grabbed at toys. He would study toys before touching them, turn them around and around trying to figure them out before playing with them. He would play with one toy for long periods of time before moving on to another one. He loved to look at books and even as a young baby would sit quietly turning pages. Even now he has precise ways of playing with each toy. Nathaniel appears more impulsive. He grabs whatever is in sight, playing for a minute or two before moving on to the next thing leaving a wake of toys, shoes, boxes, and other paraphernalia in his wake. He likes books too, but mostly as something to chew on.

My sociologists brain finds contemplating these differences fascinating. How much of it is personality or a result of differences in parenting? Is Nathaniel truly a more laid back child by nature or have we made him that way because we are more relaxed parents the second time around?

It is fun to see my boys grow. I love watching their different personalities develop. It is fun to think about their future, the men they will become, the things that they will each be interested in and talents they will pursue. It is amazing to think that God has given me these children to nurture. What a gift!

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,the fruit of the womb a reward.