Simalarly different

Violet's 1st Birthday is rapidly approaching! Only 4 days now, and I'm still fumbling around,hoping to find that pause button! What's the big deal really? One momentous day can't possibly change my child that much...or can it???

Sleeping angel, only a few days old

Now at almost 1 year old

It's become apparent that my baby is going to keep growing and changing no matter how I feel about it. It is bittersweet every time I pack up another tote of her clothes and put them away. I'm sad that she's no longer small enough to fit into the pint sized clothing, but happy of course, that she is thriving and finally putting on some chub!

 

That brings me to an interesting subject, one that is often the (unintended) topic of conversation amongst us moms....."They" say you should never compare your kids, that no 2 kids are ever the same. Let's face it, many of us (probably most) break that cardinal rule. How can you resist? It's like having multiple rose gardens. Why wouldn't you care for your second one the same as your first and then compare the results?

I'm guilty...I do it..ALOT. and I know I really shouldn't but it just happens! It's harmless right now, and I know I'll eventually need to stop. I can see it being a problem if I ever start comparing their grades, or each's popularity or achievements. That's cause for (another great topic) sibling rivalry. Until the girls are old enough that the comparison is no longer innocent, i shall continue to indulge in my bad behavior. I love them both so, so much and so equally, which is what really matters.

Ava 1 day old

Violet 1 day old

Ava

Violet

There are almost as many similarities as there are differences.

Both girls were born on a Friday, after 14 hours of labor. Ava at 11:00pm and Violet at 2:52am. Ava was exactly 1lb heavier and  1/2" longer. Violet followed Ava's growth patterns for the first 2 months, but since then she has always stayed heavier and shorter then Ava. I can already tell Ava is going to have the O'Leary body type and Violet will be the Olczak prototype (my mom's side of the family) Ava's black newborn hair fell out and came back blond. Her eyes slowly changed from bright blue to hazel. Violet's hair has always been darker, at one point looking reddish, but none the less dark. Her eyes have always been blue. A blue that oddly enough almost looked violet for a while, but still blue. As a brown eyed girl I wished so badly for my kids to have blue eyes like their dad. Everyone told me I was crazy, brown eyes are dominant!

 

Ava 3 months old

Violet 3 months old

They smiled, rolled over, sat up, crawled and said their first words at almost the exact age! Ava got her first two teeth at 6 months old, and had 6 by her 1st birthday. Vi didn't get her 1st tooth til after 8 months old, but they have been non-stop since. She will probably have 9 by her birthday.

Ave feeding herself

Violet making a mess

 

Both girls were great eaters as babies.

Both were happy, content, peaceful babes.

Both were relatively easy and laid back, until about 9 months. Then their personalities really started to emerge.

 

Ava likes to be the boss.Period. end of story

She is funny, she loves to dance and sings quite well.

She is giving, and is learning to share so well, but unless it's with Violet or Kylie, it's on Her terms and Her time.

She LOVES pink, and all things feminine.

The other day she made me change her blue and white flowered shirt because " it is a boy shirt" (meaning although there were flowers and lace, there was no pink or purple or red)

Ava has a memory like a steel trap, and if you can't remember the day from 6 months ago she's referring to, watch out!

She is caring, and affectionate, and will do anything to make Violet laugh. She will yell at anything that makes her baby sister cry, parents included.

 

 Awesome big sister

 Helping feed Vi

 Being goofy

 Comforting her sister

 Princess Ava Rose

With her Hanna Montana purse, full of chapstick and nail polish

 

Violet is amazingly smart. She doesn't say many words yet, but she babbles a lot and looks at us wondering why we can't make out but 1 or 2 of the words. She uses a few baby signs and knows how to get what she wants already.

She smiles and laughs ALL the time, seriously, she does

She adores her sisters. She can't wait to kiss them, all the time! (wether they like it or not)

Violet loves animals. She is always chasing and petting and trying to lay with our dogs. Some of the words she can say are related to animals...Bel-Bel ( our dog bella) bunny,puppy and meow.

She has the Irish temper! If you dare take something or tell her no...run for cover!

 

 1st Halloween

 Smiling since she was born!

 Even smiles while eating

 "So Big" with her sister

 Little sister in big sister's chair

 Trying to cuddle with Gypsy

Giving kisses

 

At the end of the day is comparing two children really harmful?

I think the comparisons are what help identify not only similarities, but also uniqueness. This uniqueness is what helps shape a child's personality. While my kids may be a tad young to truly recognize their personalities and know what kind of girls they will be, I sure love the preview I've been seeing!