Late summer hams

Max and Sam hold a conference, no adults allowed

It's apparent by now that Sam and Max are not identical twins. They look different and continue to diverge, and their personality differences are emerging. This is the perfect time for a new pop quiz! For those of you that spend time around the boys in person, many of these questions will be easy. For those of you yet to meet them, take a guess and you can learn some things along the way. All questions will be answered after the usual assortment of photos:

1. Who is the better eater?

2. Who is the better burper?

3. Who is the better sleeper?

4. Who is more energetic at tummy time?

5. Who enjoys music more?

6. Who is more cranky?

7. Who babbles more?

8. Who is the biggest tooter?

The photos:

Cousin Tessa shows off her gymnastic skills

Tessa is proud of her flips

Tessa helps her little sister Nora with a bridge

Uncle Ed holds a pensive Sam

Nora likes smiling for the camera

A once a year treat, Aunt Ashley's famous fruit custard pie

Mom holds a sleepy Sam

Uncle Ed and Cousin Nora enjoy a beer

Aunt Ashley comforts Max

Max and Sam, looking similar, but definitely not identical

A rare photo of Dad not behind a camera for once, holding Sam

Mom having a conversation with Max

Sam observes while Max tells us how it is

Sleeping Sam is best Sam

Sleeping Max is best Max

Sam's bib looks like a trendy scarf

Another photo of Dad (two in one blog post!), holding Max

Max gazing up at a toy

1. Who is the better eater? These days it's a tough call, because the boys alternate and there is no clear winner. However, for whatever reason Sam drinks silently but Max makes loud slurping/sucking noises whenever he's working on a bottle.

2. Who is the better burper? Max has historically been a strong burper. After a good bottle, it doesn't take much work to get him to belch like a drunken sailor.

3. Who is the better sleeper? Both Sam and Max sleep about the same; however, Sam does a lot more whining when he realizes we're putting them down to sleep, while Max silently accepts his fate.

4. Who is more energetic at tummy time? Sam! Sam is the tummy time champion, quietly pumping out the reps and doing lots of work. Max tends to just lay there, sucking on his hand and complaining. Perhaps Sam will be an athlete?

5. Who enjoys music more? Max is more moved by music. It both calms his crankiness and brings a smile to his face. Perhaps Max will be a musician?

6. Who is more cranky? Much like the eating, it's a toss up, but Max definitely has a more defiant pout when he's upset. Sam whines and cries, but Max has this defiant face where he sticks his bottom lip out and just shouts "Bah!" Hopefully I can capture a photo of it for the blog someday.

7. Who babbles more? Max is more talkative than Sam is these days. Sam likes to look around and observe while Max has a babbling commentary on things.

8. Who is the biggest tooter? This is a trick question, Dad is still the king of tootin' in this house, and don't you forget it!