Brothers And Sisters

Brooks and I were feeding Mason and Ike tonight and we had a sudden realization that in their three weeks of life, they had rarely spent a moment together, side by side, as they were in the womb for nine months straight. Ever since they entered this world on July 13, they’ve slept in separate cribs, napped in a bassinet that has a divider, and been fed apart in either Brooks’ or my arms (or their grandparents’ or the night nurse). But no matter the situation, they've typically been apart.

I know as three-week olds they are just starting to come into their senses and probably aren’t too aware of who or what is around them, but it’s kind of sad to think that these little babies who were pressed tightly up against each other and jockeying for position in Brooks’ stomach for such a long time now rarely see or feel each other’s presence. So I started thinking. If they end up like my twin sister Corinna and I did, then they will be each other’s own best friends for the rest of their lives. Now I doubt if it started when were just three weeks old, but I know the bond we share today started forming at a very early age, based on my parents’ accounts and the vivid memories I have from a very young age. I was the one who would steal Corinna’s pacifier when I chewed mine to bits. I was the one who would escape from of my pre-school class to roam the halls of Christ Church to see which room she was in. And I was the one who would sneak back into Corinna’s room at night to sleep in her extra bed even though my parents had finally deemed us old enough to have our own rooms. Apparently, no actually, I was the twin who could not be separated, who needed the constant presence of Corinna to be comforted. Of course, I was the “younger” sibling (by all of two minutes). I guess I needed the reassurance of my “older” sister.

So tonight Brooks and I wanted to let Mason and Ike spend some quality time together and see what type of reaction their presence elicited from each other and to start this bond that will persist throughout their lives. It was pretty amazing. They immediately took to each other and, at least in the perception of gloating parents, were genuinely comforted and relaxed by their together-time. As he did whenever he was next to her in the hospital after birth, Ike could not take his eyes off of Mason. I’m convinced it must be because, like me, he is the “younger” sibling, even if it’s only by one minute, and he will always need the reassurance of his older sister. They looked at each other, wiggled toward each other and just seemed happy to be finally be together again in such close quarters. How exciting it will be for Brooks and me to watch as they come into their own personalities and develop as brother and sister.