Brothers

It is pretty amazing when you see your first born for the first time. Sure, we'd seen the grainy images whilst he was in his mommy's belly, but you can't really get a feel for what they will really look like until, after much convincing, pushing and heavy breathing, they finally come out into the world.

As I am sure is true with a lot of couples, my wife and I often wondered what our kids would look like when we got around to having them. We would tease about which of the physical features we hoped the child would NOT get from the other, and silently pray that they would look just like us (but cuter). Then, after you've had one, you have an ever harder time when #2 comes along, because you wonder how in the world it won't look just like the first one - especially if they are the same sex!

This was especially true in our case, as both of our kids are boys. Jack, the oldest, looks almost exactly like his daddy. When we found out Ryan was a boy, I was sure he would look similar to me as well, after all, the first boy did, so why not the second?!? Ryan, however, looks so much more like his mom than his dad. Both are exceptionally good looking lads (and I do say so myself) but yet they look so different - eye shape, mouth, hairline, size. Much of their personality is different as well, but some of the things they do, are exactly the same.

Laughing, for example - they have almost the same exact laugh. Its the cutest thing in the world to watch them play together.

Their favorite game, to date, is "I'm gonna getcha," or as Ryan would say,"ticka ticka ticka!"

How to play:

When Ryan is sitting his with back to you, get on your hands and knees, and slowly creep up behind him. With your mouth about 6 inches from his head, gently whisper "I'm gonna getcha!" With that, he will spin around with a huge smile on his face, drool for a second, and then take off crawling away from you at lightning speed. Let him think he is getting away, and as soon as he turns to see where you are, pounce on him and two-hand tickle his belly, arm pits and area behind the knees while taunting, "tickle tickle tickle!" After a few second let him escape and continue the chase.

If he has not already, Jack will join in the fun at about this time. He usually ends up pancake tackling Ryan, and then begins the tickling of an otherwise immobilized baby brother. Within seconds, both are laughing hysterically. Sit back, relax and enjoy. After you've taken a precious 5 seconds to relax, gently remove Jack from Ryan and tell Ryan to tickle Jack. This will send Jack SCREAMING out of the room - literally and figuratively. Tell Ryan to tickle Jack, and he will crawl away, all the while laughing and saying "ticka ticka ticka!" Lather, rinse and repeat.