As the mother of twins, I am constantly asked seemingly stupid questions about them: Which one is the serious one? Which one is the outgoing one? Which one is the leader? Blah, blah, blah. And I always say, "They both are - it just depends on the day/moment/whatever." It's boring to be asked so many dumb questions all the time. This is, of course, in addition to the Big Two Comments: Whoa! Double Trouble! and You've sure got your hands full! Yawn. Please don't say either of these things to parents of twins. Just don't.

But there's one question that always makes ME feel a little stupid: Are they identical or fraternal? I always say fraternal, but I'm not 100% confident in that answer.

I had my first ultrasound at 8 weeks pregnant, which was when we found out that we were having two little hooligans, and I had a ton of additional ones after that. So I don't remember exactly when it was, but at one of those early ultrasounds, we were told that there were two placentas and that meant they were fraternal. It was never mentioned again and we never questioned it. Until they were born, that is, and there was only one placenta. I asked the delivery nurse about it and she said, "They must've fused together." Okaaaayyyyyyy.....

Twins are often different heights and weights when they are born - even identicals - and fraternal twins are no more alike than other siblings (except they are exactly the same age). Therefore, they should be even MORE different. But our girls were born at the same height and weight. They just had a check-up this week (16 months old) and they are STILL the same height and weight. As in, the same to the inch and ounce. The big indicator should be if they look alike, right? Well, most people think they are identical and ask me how I tell them apart. I can definitely tell them apart, but at least every few days they look exactly the same to me. Yesterday morning, they were sitting on the floor reading books. They were both in profile and I only knew who was who because of what they were wearing. I am their mother. Of all people, I should not think this about my fraternal daughters.

Then again, they look VERY different to me sometimes. But I don't know if that's because they actually look different or if their different personalities alter my perception of them. Ugh. The only way to know for sure is to do a DNA test. I asked the doctor about it at their check-up (their new pediatrician, by the way, assumed they were identical) and she said they can do it, but insurance will only pay for it if it is medically necessary. Since it isn't, I guess we're not doing it. I suppose I need to research it a little more, though, and see if I can find an affordable test online or something.

Now before you think I'm none too bright, look at these pictures (from teeny tiny to recent) and try to tell me they don't look identical.