SPRINGFIELD TWP.: Life is full of surprises.

Just ask Valerie Tyson and Bob Johnson of Springfield Township.

They were dating and hadn't planned to have a baby. But they were pleasantly surprised when they learned their family would soon grow by one.

Then came the surprise from the doctor: Valerie was pregnant with twins.

''We were shocked,'' Valerie said. ''We're in twin shock.''

She said neither she nor Bob is aware of multiple births in their families.

''We were just randomly blessed with twins,'' she said.

And the babies had yet another surprise.

McKayla Danielle Johnson was born at 11:56 p.m. Oct. 11, but identical twin Isabella Elise Johnson waited until 12:48 a.m. on the 12th to make her entrance into the world.

''We'll probably celebrate (their birthdays) the same day when they're small,'' Valerie said. ''When they get bigger, they'll probably want their own (celebration).''

Birthdays can present a real challenge for parents of twins, said Terri Gillis, executive vice president in charge of publicity for the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs Inc.

She said each of the twins having her own birthday will be a benefit to the girls when they get a little older.

''One thing you will always hear (with multiples) is 'When do I get my own birthday?''' said Gillis, the mother of grown twin daughters.

She said it is not uncommon for parents of multiples to let one child pick an entirely different day to celebrate so they don't always have to share the honors.

Gillis said that the couple should be expecting people to ask, ''How can they be twins if they don't have the same birthday?''

While Gillis said she is unaware of any statistics on the number of twins born on separate days, she said it isn't very common.

Valerie said that she could tell the twins had very different personalities long before they were born at Akron City Hospital.

McKayla likes to sleep and she eats well; Isabella was active even in the womb.

''She was up in my right rib and she never stopped moving,'' Valerie said.

''We're going to have our hands full (with Isabella).''

Valerie said they have also been blessed with lots of help from family members. And Bob is learning the fine art of parenting, she said.

''Their dad, he's a wonderful help,'' she said. ''He does it all.''

Bob has changed his fair share of diapers — times two.

''I was excited from the get-go,'' he said of becoming a father. ''I'm loving it.''

The parents have already enlisted the twins in their own fun rivalry.

Valerie is an avid Browns fan, but Bob roots for the Steelers.

So the parents, who have been dating for eight years, bought cheerleading outfits representing each team for the twins.

Bob said they aren't sure which of the girls will represent which team for today's game between the rivals.

Bob, 25, finished his enlistment in the Army and came home last December, having spent a year in Iraq, two years in South Korea and one year in Texas. He works for Summit Racing in Tallmadge.

Valerie, 22, is studying communications at the University of Akron. She hopes to become an event planner.
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