2 years ago, at 11:00am and 11:03am my life changed for good! Myles Dean Warren came first, followed by Ryker Henry Warren. Sunday July 8th is as vivid as the sunrise this morning. Your dad can still see how the operating room was set-up, each conversation with Dr. Kline, the feeling of being the first person to hold Myles, and how funny it was when Ryker tried to crawl back into the womb during the C-section. What was not funny is how Ryker presented very purple and quiet or the fact we did not get to hold you little buddy for hours until the NICU.
Boys, you are what are called Di-Di Twins. Dizygotic means two (di) fertilized eggs (zygotes). Dizygotic twins occur when two eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. Dizygotic twins are also known as fraternal or non-identical twins. Furthermore, Boy-girl twins are the most common kind of dizygotic twins, occurring 50 percent of the time.
Followed, by Girl-girl twins are the second most common occurrence. Finally, Boy-boy twins are the least common. Boom we hit the jackpot! Our Dizygotic twins had separate amniotic sacs and placentas. This is known as being dichorionic-diamniotic. Consequently, Charlotte carried 2 babies, 2 sacs, and 2 placentas. That lead to an early pregnancy as there would be no more room at the inn at 34 weeks. The funny thing about this was that Mr. Myles water broke but not Ryker. Myles was ready to meet us and the world early! Yet Mr. Ryker was all snuggled and warm willing to wait until full-term. Which is exactly why Mr. Ryker after Dr. Kline broke his sac and began pulling him out of mom, slipped through her hands and scurried back into the womb! It was funny watching.
Too often I hear parents say where has the time gone or the time flies by so fast. I’m not here to argue that, however, the main thing the twins have taught me in these first few years is how to live in the present. Each twin has taught me to stop worrying about what will come in 5 minutes or tomorrow and be in the present moment. I’ve learned to slow down because if I don’t then the precious little time I have with you will fly by. I wish to soak it all in, even the hard parts. Nonetheless, amidst the tough times, when I least expect it, you will do something that just jolts me back to realizing the tough times are a small ripple in a vast ocean of amazing moments. Hearing both say “I love you, Momma-Da-Da” or instances where you’ll wrap your arms around me reminding me that I am your Earthly safety net or going pee in the training toilet for the very first time on your 2nd birthday this morning. It is so amazing to see how quickly and joyfully you both pick on things. Thus, all of it has taught me to be present for such feats and to store them in a memory box that will never go away.
Now that you are 2, it is clearly visible that both are their own unique individual. Neither are perfect and never will be, but each are fun, cool, smart, and inquisitive. As you’ve grown more independent and your specific personality has emerged stronger and stronger, it is easy to marvel at how incredible of people you both are. In the present, Myles you undoubtedly are the boss of not just your brother, but just about everyone. Ryker, I do not know another two-year-old as strong as you. Doing push-ups, planks, or pull-ups on anything you grab. The kicker, when you are fed up with Myles bossing you around, you let him know, LOL! Myles you throw a ball at a speed rare for a 2-year-old, yet you love to see how things work. Ryker are obsessed with body parts and how you use them. Both love music more than anyone I know currently. Does this tell us anything? Don’t know don’t care because becoming a doctor or astronaut or athlete is in the future. In the future, I just want you to treat others how Christ would treat them. You do not have to love sports just because I do or become an engineer because everyone on your mom’s side has been one. Find your passion and change the world for better. I’ll never know or not, but I am 100% sure if you weren’t my kids I’d still want to wrestle both of you or hug those cute faces of yours. The fact each of you are that much fun to be around.
Every birthday makes me realize that your dad should take the time out and thank those who showed him it was ok to be who I am. A poor-fatherless kid from Missouri who needed examples. Hank Billings, Scot McComas, Dave Daniel, Doug Burnett, Terri Walker, Jerry Thomason, Jeff Brasel, Tom Harter, Armando Johnson, Ben Anderson, Rick James, Doug Townshend thank you for molding me into a capable father in the present.
My boys My love for you today is based strongly on who you are as your own person—rather than on the simple fact that you’re my son. As you continue to grow and develop, so will the way I love you. As your likes and dislikes become more nuanced—as you face successes, challenges, and disappointments in life my skills as a father will be challenged and hopefully expand as well. So, my message to you on this second birthday is simply this: You are awesome, and both uniquely made in God’s image. The boundless energy, funny nuances, and creative spirits make each of you his own remarkable person.
As the journey into what we will label as terrific 2’s instead of terrible, I look forward to doing things with each of you together like always, but shifting into more personal, separate, and individual Father-son times. Experiencing the present together watching you become even more uniquely Myles and Ryker. I Love You both equally and am enjoying you both equally in the present. TwinsForTheWin!
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