(CNN) - Two formerly-conjoined brothers are now three years old and making amazing strides.
Jadon and Anias McDonald captivated millions around the world when they underwent a separation surgery in October 2016 in New York.
After two years -- Nicole and Christian decided to leave New York -- the city they adopted to help care for their boys, and return home to Indiana.
Big changes... for everyone.
The biggest changes of all though -- the boys.
Jadon McDonald is starting to read.
But as with most stories... along with victories came defeats.
For conjoined twins -- there is almost always one that is more dominant and one at a greater disadvantage... Anias.
"That's where I kind of fell apart this year because the child that hit so many walls before and you just want him to fly you know and he's still stuck on the ground," said Nicole McDonald, the twins’ mother.
"In this day and age, we're kind of a quantum leap society. We want quick fixes and if it doesn't happen quick then we almost get discouraged and think that it can't happen. But you know we really need to understand that amazing things can happen, and Anias can do amazing things and will do amazing things," said Christian McDonald, the twins’ father.
But even Anias has made gains, he no longer needs any of the machinery that was used to monitor him, he's starting to be a kid again playing with his toys.
It's hard to believe that just two years ago, Anias and Jadon were connected
And Nicole and Christian said they are now more connected than ever.
"I think we're getting stronger and better every day. I mean I guess they say you know, sometimes difficult circumstances. You go through the fire, you come out stronger on the other side and I think that's definitely true for us. It's definitely made us better as a couple," Christian said.
"This forced us into family. I've gained so much respect for him through the process and the dad that he is and then in the way that he's been able to support me but we also have to remember that we're not done. You know our future has a lot more," Nicole said.
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