Comparing unique children

It is fun having our children so close in age. The amazing part to see with them so close together is exactly how unique they are. If our children were farther apart in age I don't think we would be able to remember as well what the older ones were like when the younger ones get to the same age or milestone.

Take potty-training. Nathanael was completely dry day and night with the occasional deep-sleeping nights with accidents by his third birthday. Hearing from many seasoned moms that girls are easier, I thought Hannah would be before her third birthday as well. While she showed interest and some progress before her birthday, she wasn't able to fully train till after she had turned three. Now Talitha shows great interest, but is struggling as well. We will be putting it off for a while like her sister.

Or their eating habits. Each of our children have loved to eat! Most of them will eat anything pretty much from the start. So far they have all been the same in the love for pizza at a young age. Any kind of fruit is always a hit, with the exception of kiwi, that takes some getting used to. Now the older two love my homemade simple guacamole, but the younger two would rather not dip quesadillas in it. Josiah will eat all the steamed broccoli on the table if we let him, but green beans are too tough for him still.

Then there's the more obvious comparisons--size. Nathanael and Hannah have both been big for their age. Talitha has proven that the Aalderink genes are not completely dominant, she's our petite little girl who is taking after the Holton and Kelley families on my side. Josiah was born huge-8lbs 10oz and has only recently slowed down. Today the two youngest stepped on the scale. Talitha is 28lbs and Josiah is 27lbs, 10oz! He's on track to pass his big sister in weight soon, though he is still a bit shorter. It will be interesting to see what size Matthew will be!