BonsaiGuy, thank you so much for not separating the babies. They are absolutely precious looking.
I have a story similar to yours. Years ago I picked out a new kitten from a litter at a friend's house. I went back a few weeks later to collect him when he was old enough. The whole time I was at her house a female kitten kept staring at me and meowing this pitiful meow. I gave up and said I'd take them both home without consulting hubby. He was leaving for work when I got home with them. He peaked in the carrier and said "There's TWO kittens in there!!!!" and left for work. I told the little girl she needed to suck up to him big time. She did and melted his heart. She bonded with him and the little boy bonded with me.
You mentioned calling the babies by names other than their "given" names. All of my crew have nicknames. We once had a whole thread about nicknames for our fur babies.