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The subjects of our multiples photo essay (and their parents) share insights into their lives.
Nicole Ableser and Heather Gowin, 29
Best part of being a twin:
Nicole Ableser: I love being a twin. Growing up, we always had each other as company, a friend, family; we call each other soul mates. We think so alike that having someone that just “gets” you is the coolest feeling because you don’t always have to explain everything.
How are you different?
Heather Gowin: We tend to tell people that we are generally very similar and specifically more different. Nicole is very linear in her thinking, whereas I tend to see the completed picture of a situation. We find a lot of value in each other’s unique gifts.
What makes your family unique?
Ableser and Gowin: Growing up in L.A., we were casted in several movies under the age of 2. Because baby actors were only allowed to work so long, it was easier to hire twins. When you are a twin, you get extra attention, people looking, asking you if you’re a twin, telling stories of twins they know, asking questions about being twins. It is unique and I think our family has a lot of fun with it.
Jordan and Darby Chalmers, 3
Best part of having twins:
Mother Amanda Chalmers: They always have a playmate. Although they do fight some, they really do love each other and are best buddies!
How are they different?
As far as personality, Jordan is definitely the more dramatic girl, and Darby is more happy-go-lucky.
How are they alike?
They are extremely girly girls and love dolls, Barbies, dressing up and playing with makeup. Oh, and anything pink!
Favorite twin story:
When I see the two of them hug each other and say, “I love you” to each other, it is just very sweet to hear as a mom.
Jack and Abby James, 6
Best part of being a twin:
Having the same birthday.
How are you different?
Well, one of us is a boy and one is a girl. And we don’t have the same color eyes.
How are you alike?
We both like ice cream!
Favorite twin story:
Mother Amy James: They each lost the same first tooth the same week — when we were on vacation this summer at Disney World
Brooks and Hudson Kelley, 3
Best part of having twins:
Father Joe Kelley: Easily the best part of having twins is that each twin has an instant playmate, best friend, co-conspirator. When one comes running into the room, we know for certain that the other is moments behind. When Brooks says, "I love you, Mommy and Daddy," Hudson says it, too. When Hudson wants someone to jump off the couch with him, Brooks is always the first to volunteer. When Brooks wants someone to sling paint across the room onto mommy’s nice new dining room tablecloth, Hudson happily grabs the can of red paint and forever ruins that decorator item. It’s awesome!
How are they different?
After spending just a short time with Hudson and Brooks, it is quickly apparent that one boy is more aggressive and adventurous, whereas the other boy is much more thoughtful and loving. We like to say that one twin will bravely conquer new worlds and the other will come along a week later and write amazing stories about the adventure.
How are they alike?
We are very blessed that our boys (along with their 6-year-old sister) all get along wonderfully. They both share the same absolutely delicious senses of humor and are often both found deliriously giggling in their rooms or in the minivan. I think what illustrates best their similarities and differences is that they both love “Toy Story,” but Brooks likes Buzz Lightyear best, while Hudson strongly favors Woody.
The Luessenhop family: Ford, Lake, Hudson, 6; Blair, Brice, 9; and Cash Luessenhop, 10
Favorite twin/multiple stories:
Mother Heather Luessenhop: They have made us laugh over the years with their brotherly love. Here is a little peek into our lives:
Cash: After a fire safety lesson at school, Cash called 9-1-1. A few days later, the real mess began. He shot off the fire extinguisher all over our home. The fine coating dispersed all over; everything was covered ceiling to floor. Just when we thought we had it all cleaned, it had moved on to another room. The cleanup took days for this on-the-job training!
Brice: When “Tarzan” came out, Brice loved him. He and Blair were climbers. Brice climbed up on the kitchen countertop and held onto the microwave door, swinging out into the kitchen. He fell to the ground. The door had broken off and he had pulled the microwave out of the wall. Nothing like a little creative play!
Blair: I used to feed the triplets in our recliner. After feeding each one, I would lie each on the floor on a pillow with their head propped up. After two were down and I was still feeding one, Blair did his sniper crawl on his tummy, low and quiet, but sure not to awaken the sleeping babies. He would grab them one-by-one by their legs and pull them to another part of our home to hide them. Out of sight, out of mind!
Ford: We had just bought our new home, having seriously outgrown the bachelor pad. Everything was freshly painted and we were so careful as I unpacked. The triplets were unusually quiet. When I went to check on them, Ford had found a bright red Sharpie and drew a giant red target on the wall behind his bedroom door. It is still there today — a little gift from our artist, Ford.
Hudson: We were visiting Grandpa Hankie’s hometown of Kansas City with Gigi and Grandpa Hankie, Uncle Tate and Cousin Ava. On a rainy evening, we all decided to order dinner in. The pizzas arrived, enough for 12 hungry people. We left the kids in the room while we went down the hall to the soda machine. When we returned with the drinks, the pizzas were all gone! We asked, “Where are the pizzas?” Hudson replied, “We flushed them!” They had flushed multiple large pizzas. Just like Vegas: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!
Lake: We had received a chocolate fountain as a gift for the kids. We often cook together and thought this would be a fun way to eat fruit. We washed, assembled and prepared to use the new chocolate fountain. All went as planned and we were enjoying the chocolate fountain. Lake put his banana in a little too far (my little chocolate lover), hit the center rod and over went the fountain. Still swirling, the hot melted chocolate burned us as it flung all over us. Hot chocolate was pouring down the table and onto the carpet, splattering onto the furniture and drapes. The closer I got to it to unplug it or flip off the power switch, the more my clothing and skin were burned by it. No good deed goes unpunished!
Bella, Evan and Allie McClure, 3
What is the best part of having multiples?
Father Bruce McClure: They always have a friend to play with.
How are they different?
Aside from them not looking alike, Bella is into books, Allie is into music and dancing, and Evan loves sports.
How are they alike?
They are all alike because they are all very loving, affectionate and energetic!
Favorite multiple story:
They flooded our bathroom one time, and when we asked them individually who did it, each one pointed fingers at the other. When we asked them all together, they blamed the 6-week-old puppy!
Abby Mauldin and Amanda Porter, 24
How are you different?
Amanda Porter: I’m more of the dominant twin and Abby is definitely the more sensitive twin. We both love sports. Abby loves all the professional teams and I love all the college teams. I was a cheerleader for 12 years and Abby was the one who supported me. Abby loves to dress up and I’m more comfortable in flip-flops, T-shirts and Soffe shorts.
How are you alike?
Porter: Friends and family always come first to us. We both love our jobs and we love to shop — what girl doesn’t? Our favorite TV shows are “Friends” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” We both like to work out, together and separately; we try to run a lot.
What is your favorite twin story?
Mauldin: My sister recently got married and I was her maid of honor. I planned a surprise bachelorette party for her, and after all the hard work and planning, I just loved her expression when she came. It was priceless and worth every second of my time planning this for her. I made my maid-of-honor toast at her reception and — me being the sensitive one that I am — cried while talking in front of a huge crowd. But I didn’t really notice the crowd that night; I just noticed how beautiful my sister looked and how precious that moment was.
What makes your family unique?
Mauldin: I absolutely love my family. I truly think our family is one of a kind. I think we are unique because there are seven children in the Mauldin clan and five of us are adopted. I have amazing parents who are very loving and always supportive and who taught me so much when I was a kid. There are four girls and three boys in the family. Amanda and I are adopted, along with our three incredible brothers. Amanda and I were born in South Korea and were adopted at 5 months old. We have a brother adopted from the Virgin Islands, a brother adopted in Fort Worth and our youngest brother (was) adopted in Missouri. We are all very close and always there for each other. I truly consider all my brothers and sisters some of my best friends. I really don’t know what I would do without my family.
Tracy McCabe and Sally Moffatt, 42
How are you different?
Sally Moffatt: For the most part, we are a lot alike; we do have different tastes in clothing and music.
How are you alike?
We both love animals and sports.
Favorite twin story:
Tracy decided I needed a haircut when we were younger, so she cut my hair and also the twin boys’ hair who lived across the street from us.
How is your family unique?
There are four girls in our family. We all have different hair colors: red, brunette, black and blond.
Megan and Molly Myers, 13
Best part of being a twin:
It is awesome to have a twin sister! Neither one of us ever feels lonely!
How are you different?
Molly is very shy. Megan is very outgoing.
What is your favorite twin story?
We have a little brother who is now 3 to 4 inches taller than we are. When we were toddlers, everywhere we went people thought we were triplets!
What makes your family unique?
We are one of 17 sets of identical twins in the United States to have Down syndrome. We feel so very blessed. We have a little brother, Jake, whom we love and adore.
Allen, Cooper, Logan, and Wyatt Newby, born May 18, 2009
What is the best part of having multiples?
Mother Jennifer Lawson-Newby: Watching their personalities develop. Being a part of something special and watching them see and learn about each other.
How are they different?
Each has his own distinctive personality (already!).
What is your favorite multiple story?
Cooper’s water broke first. The doctor planned to wait 48 hours to deliver. Allen’s water broke two to three hours later, triggering delivery. At deliver it was discovered: Allen’s umbilical cords were not connected to the placenta but to the membrane; thus, when Cooper’s water broke, his “source” was disconnected. Had Allen not triggered delivery, we could have lost Cooper. I’m sure Allen will hold that over Cooper for many years!
Hayden Alex and Shelby Lynn Prickett, 18 months
How are they different?
Mother Mandy Prickett: Hayden is very laid-back, and Shelby is a little more demanding.
How are they alike?
They are both very cautious of new things and new people. They love playing outside, and they both have very loving personalities.
Favorite twin story?
My favorite story is something that takes place almost every day. They share a room still, and when they wake up in the morning, or from a nap, they talk and play with each other and it’s fun to listen to them.
Tatum and Piper Swain, 2
Best part of having twins:
Mother Janice Swain: They always have a friend! The girls have constant companionship and entertain each other very well. The girls love to do everything together. They enjoy art and music, learning their numbers and letters, dancing, singing, playing dress-up, playing outside and reading books.
How are they different?
Tatum is more adventurous and seems to be the “twin representative,” usually speaking for both of the girls when they initially meet new people or are in new situations. Piper is very laid-back and tends to go with the flow. Tatum tends to be more of the instigator. Piper seems to be more open to trying new foods, though.
How are they alike?
Piper and Tatum are both very kind, loving and affectionate people. They love to dress the same and have almost everything the same. All items in our house are in sets of two! They love to mimic one another. If one girl says or does something, be assured the other one will soon follow.
Favorite twin story:
Every day is a favorite story! The girls are still small and learning and doing new things all the time, which makes every story our favorite. We love to hear Piper and Tatum sing, read books and count together. If one of the girls gets off tune, misses a page in the book or misses a number when counting, they always have their “sissy” to help them out.
Bill and Bob Thomas, 57
Best part of being a twin:
Having a friend who virtually always understands both your strengths and weaknesses and is there to support you in both.
How are you different?
Although we share many physical, mental and emotional characteristics, we are simply unique individuals, just as any other person without a twin is to the rest of the world.
How are you alike?
Because we grew up sharing many of the same experiences, our reactions to most everything that happens around us is very, very similar.
Favorite twin story:
Bill Thomas: In our first business together (lawn mowing business at the age of 12), I was injured early one summer. Accordingly, Bob had to do 100 percent of the work for the rest of the summer. He continued to split all of the revenue with me, and neither one of us could even figure what was “wrong” with that when questioned by our mom and dad. “Well, Dad, it’s our business; of course the money is both of ours,” we would both explain. That explains why we do not have any problem sharing money today, as we have in business together the past 33 years. He still supports me. Yea!
