10.25.05: identical or fraternal?

I am surprised at how often we are asked if Mason and Avery are identical or fraternal. From our perspective, the only thing our boys have in common is the fact they are both boys. Otherwise, just about every feature and characteristic is different. We definitely feel that they look like brothers. We also agree that if they were both healthy full-term infants, it is possible that they would look a little more alike.

The reality is that we often forget they are even twins given all their differences. Besides features and personalities, they are in different size diapers (size 1 and size 3), different size clothes (0-3 mo., 6-9 mo.), consume different formulas (27 cal and 22 cal), and are currently at noticeably different levels of development. In fact, while out at a doctor's appointment with both Mason and Avery at the same time (which rarely happens), we've already been asked twice how far apart they are! Um, ... one minute.

They didn't share a placenta, nor an amniotic sac, but many identical twins don't either, so there's no real determining factor from the pregnancy. Without a DNA test to prove it, we can only say that we are 99.9% positive that they are fraternal.

One thing is 100% for certain though, ... we love them both the same!