NOT-SO-TWIN COUSINS

For all the similarities James and Eli had at birth, and all the exclamations from family at how alike they look in photos, we were surprised to learn just how different these cousins are. While they're still comparable in size, that is about where the similarities end... Their bodies just feel different in your arms. Eli has a strong spine and better head control (even though he is nearly 4 weeks younger than James). James is very bendy and has really strong legs. James is much more vocal (and we're not just talking about the babbling - if James wants something, he's not afraid to use his voice and let you know ALL about it), whereas Eli can get his way simply by smacking his lips and saying "ah-goo". James can smile so sweetly that he melts your heart. Eli can stare right into your soul and steal your heart (I had been hearing about this phenomenom from the time he came home from the hospital, but always thought Dave was exagerating - he wasn't - the first time I really got some face-time with Eli, the little sweetie had me in tears). Eli poops at least twice a day, whereas we're lucky if James goes twice a week. Eli talks the entire time he's eating, whereas James will often drift off to sleep or forget that he's suppose to be eating because he's found something interesting to look at. James is a Pisces and Eli is an Aries, but they seem to have their roles reversed for the moment... Eli is much more laid-back and easy-going, whereas James tends to be a bit bossy (his Daddy often calls him a dictator). But one thing about these cousins is the same. There is one thing we can all agree on. These boys are the spitting-images of their Daddies, and they really are the cutest babies ever (good thing Taryn and I married handsome guys)! I've been telling my friends that Eli is the cutest baby west of the Mississippi, and that James is obviously the cutest baby to the east. That seems fair, right?

So, enough with the comparisons and on with the photos. There are many. To be honest, I took probably 150 pictures of these boys over the 3 days they were together, so this is really just a small sampling of the best shots. I bet you can easily pick out who is who in each shot, so I'm not even going to tell you.

Here are James and Eli the first time we laid them on the floor together, to get a good look at their similarities/differences, and for them to get a good look at each other:

Here they are with their Daddies, for look-alike comparisons:

Watch the fist Eli!

Here they are being rocked in their Great Grandma and Grambot's arms:

Dave and Taryn are awesome parents. They make a really great team, and I was impressed with my brother in his new role as Daddy (it suits him really well). Here are the boys with Dave and Taryn:

And here they are with me and Jay. This photo was taken after Eli had me in tears:

Here are Taryn and I with the boys. We're both really enjoying being proud mommies and loving aunties, in case you can't tell from the photo.And here are the new little families posing for a group photo:

Here are the cousins in their matching outfits, courtesy of their Grambot. Don't worry, we made her promise that this is a one-time deal. We think it was smart to let her get it out of her system now, before the boys are old enough to fight back! Eli's outfit is size 0-3 and James' is size 3-6 (his torso is too long for 0-3 clothes already). They're both looking pretty pleased with themselves in these photos, don't you think?

Then James got a little wild and stuck his finger in Eli's eye:

So Eli retaliated by pushing him out of the way. And James looks sorry, doesn't he?

They even look different upside down:

Then, of course, we had to get a photo of the boys in their matching outfits with their Grambot, since it was all her idea. Could she possibly have a bigger smile on her face while trying to balance her 2 bundles of joy? We doubt it.

Here are Eli and James with their Grandpa (don't mind James, he was complaining about having to take that 150th photo). And doesn't Eli look a little smug? Everyone kept telling him what a good boy he was being (and he was, and always is, so he deserved the compliments):

And finally, here they are sleeping at the end of a very busy day:

We had a great time in California, meeting our sweet nephew and showing off our son. Thanks to everyone who was able to come by and share in our joy. We hope to see you all again, as well as everyone we missed this time around, next time we're out west. Until then, take care and don't forget to keep an eye on the LINDSAY BLOG for updates and photos as we move forward on this journey called parenthood. And for anyone who wants to see even MORE photos of the cousins together, just hop over to the Bacon's Blog and read their post Hello Cousin James.