Brooke and Ryan may look similar, but their personalities could not be more different. We have noticed, that from birth, they actually appear to be almost polar opposites of one another. While Brooke was (and still is) more reserved and serious, Ryan is outgoing and silly. Brooke has never been warm to strangers, Ryan gravitates towards them. While Brooke was interested in books and constructive play, Ryan is interested in things that go and taking things apart. Toys Brooke loved as a baby are rejected by Ryan, while the toys that never seemed to stimulate Brooke are those that Ryan now loves the most.
Even more evidence of their different natures is their relationship with food. Brooke LOVED food. She would eat anything. We had to give her food in small quantities because she would take everything in front of her mouth and try to eat it ... without chewing. We had to break her food into tiny bites well past the age of 1, because she would take extremely large pieces and put the whole thing into her mouth. Her brother, on the other hand, eats to eat. He eats because he has to and wants to get the whole experience over with. He doesnt seem to really like any particular food, nothing really gets him excited. We can give him large pieces of food and he takes his time, tiny bite by tiny bite. While Brooke's first word was "more" (often said at the top of her lungs), Ryan continually repeats "done" and "all done" during a meal.
They do have some similarities. For example, both have shown a very early love and interest in music. But, again they differ. While Brooke has always felt the need to move to music, Ryan appears compelled to sing. Perhaps thats a good thing. We might have a band-in-the-making here in our house :)
