Nicholas' life began on Tuesday, June 26, 2001 along with his twin brother Frankie.  They were surprise identical twin babies who were a gift from God.  They were born in Burbank California.  The hospital was located right in-between Disney Studios and NBC studios (so maybe they were meant to be entertainers.)  Nicholas was named after my grandfather.  Frankie was named after my father.

Nicholas was first at 6 lbs. 1 ounce, Frankie one minute later at 5 lbs 9 ounces.  Since they were identical, we needed an easy way to tell them apart.  We kept their hospital bracelets on for a long time after they came home.  Also, Nicholas had a reddish birthmark on his back and right knee and Frankie has a round, almost heart shaped birthmark on his tush.  But in no time, their Mommy was able to tell them apart.  My parents stayed with us for several weeks after they were born.  We took walks around the block in the double stroller and the babies loved their bouncy chairs and swings.  Often we kept them in the bouncy chairs in front of the house and they loved the sounds of the cars going by.  Rudy (our dog) kept a close watch on them at all times.  They went through a rough period of colic but after they got over that, they were very happy babies.

At first I used to dress them alike, but then I started putting them in the same or similar outfits but different colors.  For some reason, most of the time Frankie was in blue and Nicholas was in green.  We moved to New York when the babies were 4 months old. We did this so that the babies could be around family (we had no family in California.) My Mom and I flew with the babies on the plane, while my father and Travis drove across the country with the stuff, the dog and the bird.  They gave us a big reception when we arrived. We were greeted at the airport with a white stretch limo and two huge carvings of wooden baby boys on the lawn of parent’s house.

Nicholas had a smile that could light up the room; his laugh was hardy; when he crawled he pounded the ground so hard and when he could finally walk, he was so strong he would push heavy chairs around.  He was very smart and knew how to say many words for someone so young.  Of course, he’d say mama and dada, he could also say, papa,

Pop-el (for purple), bubble for bubbles (and anything else round and edible.)  He called his cousin Jessica, “Ca Ca” and his brother “brudda.”  He loved music and dancing, they both did, The Wiggles were their favorite band.  They’d bounce on their little rear-ends or while standing they’d bounce up and down, they were always very rhythmic.  In fact they rocked in their highchairs even when there wasn’t any music on!  They had their own beat going.  Nicholas also liked Barney.  They were both spellbound by the Baby Einstein videos and used to watch one every night before they went to sleep.

Nicholas was a very happy boy, full of character and charisma, he had so much potential. He could’ve been anything he wanted to be.   He had such a love for life and he was thrilled by everything; balls, bubbles, balloons, animals and music.  Everything was a big deal to him and he got excited over all of these things.   Nicholas was the leader while his brother, Frankie followed and tried to keep up with him.  They were never far apart from each other. 

I tried to expose them to all the wonders this life had to offer; we went to the park, the beach, to see children’s shows, concerts at the park, we went to “Mommy and Me” class and spent lots of time at Gymboree either at the class or going to different Gymboree locations for the “open play” sessions where they could climb and have fun.  We also attended parties with the twin’s club.  I was home with them until they were 15 ½  months old.  We had lots of fun adventures together. Then I went to work full time and they attended the daycare that is on-site at my job.  Nicholas liked it.  Frankie, well, it took awhile for him to get used to it.

Nicholas fell asleep on the evening of November 6, 2002 and did not wake up the next morning.  He was only 16 ½ months old. We still do not know the cause.

Everyone was so shocked and saddened by Nicholas’ passing.  We wish with all of our hearts that he were still here with us laughing, playing and running around. 

I will never forget him, my sweet little Nickel (I liked to call him that), now I look for signs that his spirit is still with us.  We love you and miss you Nicholas.