When Connor and I went back to pick up brothers this afternoon, the preschool director was outside assisting with car pool. We were running behind, so we were one of the last cars in line.
As I walked up to the gate, one of my children was waiting impatiently behind it. As soon as the director opened the gate, he came flying at me and jumped up in my arms (his usual). My other child was still walking, in his usual slow pace, taking time to stop here and there, so he could look around and see what all was going on in the world.
After saying "Hi!" to Xander, I called to Sawyer that it was time to go. He looked up, which is impressive from where we were a year ago, and started moving again.
The director wanted to know how I could tell them apart so easily and so quickly. I guess part of me forgets that the rest of the world really does see two little boys who look entirely too much alike to be distinguished in one quick glance. They are identical twins, after all.
And there were definitely times, especially very early on, when they looked alike to us as well. But as they've gotten older, those confused moments are largely gone. Unless someone is facing away from you or unless one of us has put a "wrong" shirt on the wrong twin, you generally know who they are by their face. Sawyer has always had at least a pound or two on his brother, and that makes his face rounder. And if you couldn't tell by that, their behavior gives them away. Xander is constantly spelling things for you. Sawyer jabbers in a language we don't understand. You can tell the difference easily.
My response to her was pretty much that. Xander is impatient and is always waiting for me at the gate, ready to bust through the minute it opens. He wants to get there first and be the one who gets picked. He also usually wants to spell something for me. Sawyer, not so much. He is much more careful and deliberate, and is in no real hurry unless he thinks Mommy is about to leave without him. He likes to come in his own time and his own way.
Though genetically they are considered identical, for me, they haven't been since those first few weeks home. Personalities and behaviors emerge, and they become their own person. And besides, they wear different colored jackets, too!
