5 months!

Life here seems to FLY BY at warp-speed (like, five times fast!)!  I can't believe our babies are 5 months old (2 1/2 months adjusted) and that Christmas is almost here!  As I do the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas, I have been hugging my kids close to me and saying countless prayers for the community and families in Newtown, CT.  Life is so precious.  We continue to pray for them.

This past weekend, our family was able to celebrate something very sweet: Andy's parents 50th wedding Anniversary.  On Sunday, we all (babies, too!) went to their church and then spent the afternoon celebrating them.  Fifty years of marriage is such an accomplishment!  We are so grateful for all they have done and continue to do, and our family is so blessed by them.  What a wonderful example they have set as a couple.  We love you, Mimi & Papa!

As for our family, life hustles by for Andy & I, Jenna is smart as a whip & a busy girl, and the babies have been growing amazingly well and gain new developmental milestones every day!  They all are about on the same track, so here are some of their grand accomplishments!

                                                                   SOCIAL
SMILES!!
First our girls were the smiley ones, and they still will give you the most killer smiles, but recently our boys have also become social smilers!

Tyler smiling!

Both girls have smiles that can brighten up a room, just like their big sister Jenna.  Hannah looks hungry here- don't eat Lauren's arm, Hannah!

The changing table is my favorite place to glean smiles.  Tanner started a couple weeks ago with a side smirk, followed by Tyler doing the same side smirk.  Then their smiles became like rainbows:  they didn't happen very often, but when they did it was priceless.  Then, last week, Tanner decided he wanted to be in the smiley club.  A few days ago, suddenly, our serious Tyler became a smiley boy, too!  All babies lock eyes and connect when smiling with you.  I just love having four social, smiley babies (five, including Jenna Joy)!
COOS!
Along with the smiles, our children are very talkative.  Tanner is actually one of our most frequent coo-ers, and talks all the time.  Some of his favorite sayings are "Ahhhboo" and "umma".  The other 3 are also cooing, Tyler just started a few days ago (along with that smile) and actually as I type this he is in a swing saying, "Hoo, ahgoo.  Ummoo."  Which means something really, really intellectual in baby talk! Earlier today Hannah was all out having a conversation with me.  I just LOVE this stage!

Tanner & Tyler resting in a boppy on my lap.  Tanner loves to talk to me!

IMITATION!
Tanner, Hannah, Tyler & Lauren have all shown imitations skills already when it comes to facial expressions!  Tanner loves to smack lips when I do.  Hannah likes to stick out her tongue.  Lauren and Tyler don't imitate as often as the other 2, but all are so fun to talk to and play with!

Our crew is definitely outgrowing the pack-n-play basinnette!

                                                                   MOTOR
Our babies all have great motor skills that continue to develop daily.  When holding them, they can hold up their neck, shoulders & upper body against gravity well.  I also introduced the Bumbo last week as a alternative position for them to be in for short amounts of time.  It was hilarious the first couple times I had the babies sitting in them!  I quickly got a good feel for who had stronger upper body muscles and who seemed weaker.  As an OT, I am not a fan of Bumbos for long-term use (in a nutshell they don't do much to help develop independent sitting).  However, for short spurts of time, for their age & developmental stage right now, and because I have 4 kids, Bumbos are a great option!!  The babies sit in them once or twice a day and it really does help in upper body development against gravity when I simply can't hold them!  That, and they look darn cute sitting up.  See?

Tyler doesn't know what to think

I think Tanner likes it!

Spit Happens.

This is what happens when they are DONE with Bumbo time!

All our babies are excellent at tummy time and all lift up their heads well, with Tanner being the strongest in this area.  In fact, today he rolled over from tummy to back for the first time!  WAY TO GO, TANNER!  We even got it on video!

All kids during tummy time are gaining strength in their upper bodies and are learning & practicing the skills needed for rolling over, which I'm sure will come soon for the other three--- the competition is on!  They all bring their hands together in midline and look both ways easily on tummies or back.  They like to kick and are are starting to bat at objects.  They are starting to grossly grasp at objects and put one hand on the bottle when eating (or hold my hand!). They are all doing so well, and I am SO proud of my quad squad!
                                      EMOTIONAL
OK, I felt like I had to include this because it is one of the areas we look at in kids.  Not much to contribute here other than ALL babies have a very good demeanor and people often comment that they "are so well behaved".  They know their routines and stick to them well, and they are all simply adorable and the best babies!  Their little personalities are starting to shine.  I praise God daily for every one of them.  I just love them so, so, so, so much!

Tanner is laid back, not much ruffles his feathers, and when he is hungry or upset he does the BEST lower lip pout!  He seems to be the leader of the pack and yet is calm, cool & collected.  My little man!

Tanner.  Serious face.

The boys are definitely identical!  Tanner & Tyler :)

Eeny, meeny, miney, moe- catch a Tyler by the toe!

Tyler is starting to become more smiley and social, but is still a little more serious and sometimes needs  more cuddles (because NOW as I type this, he is sitting on my lap.  A swing, bouncer, and bed simply would not do.  He needed some mommy love!).  I happily oblige when I can!  Love my snuggle bug!

Cuddling with my boys

Daddy doing double duty

Hannah is still our diva in the evening hours, but let me tell you she is the most smiley, talkative, and beautiful girl!  She is bright eyed and lovely.  Don't let the diva behaviors fool you.  ;-).  She is my beautiful, sweet Hannah Bean.

Lauren is just a happy, smiley, chubby, lovely little baby!  She has a good demeanor and is almost as laid back as Tanner, but not quite as much.  We just love our Joyful Lauren!  She is my little ladybug!

Lauren is the Queen of Nonchalant Spit-Ups

Big girl Lauren with Tanner (& his serious face again)

Some of our favorite NICU nurses came to visit, Kathy & Michele

A little too big there, kiddo!

Of course, big sister Jenna is always a part of the gang also and is so very helpful and loving to the babies.  She is so big and smart and independent, that sometimes I feel she is older than her 4 1/2 years!  But let's not rush things... I'm not sure I want her to grow up yet!  I mean, she was just a baby- where does the time go?  Yup.  Warp speed.

As we prepare for Christmas, I am thanking God for so many things.  I hope you and your family can find Joy & Peace in this Holiday season.  Many Blessings to you.

Hugs,
Becky

The Good, The Bad, & The Adorable!

The Good!
Babies are growing so well and developing excellently!  All babies are 2 months gestation, almost 5 months old.  They are smiling and cooing, and have really good head, neck & trunk control.

Tyler falling asleep during tummy time.  Awwww!

We do get spit-up on several times a day (sometimes its more like The Exorcism-level puke several times a day!) but they are overall really good babies.  Hannah continues to be our Diva and has really good temper tantrums, mostly in the evening.  However, she is really smiley too.  The OT from Early On suggested she has a "low threshold"-- I agree 100%!  When she is happy, she is really happy!  When she is not, SHE IS NOT!

Oh, the DRAMA!

They have excellent visual tracking skills and just seem to love to look and interact with people.  This makes Jenna very happy when playing with them!  Speaking of Jenna, she enjoyed our very first Nutcracker show Saturday.  We went with a friend and Jenna's only complaint was that she couldn't go on stage and dance with everyone else.

Princess Jenna on a date with mommy!

The Bad!
In November, I found out someone stole some pictures & posts from this blog and used them to create a fake blog.  MY posts, MY pictures, but this person had changed a few things (like our kids' names & date of birth)!  Andy and I were obviously not happy, and we got the blog site removed fairly quickly.  I think my blood was boiling even more than Andy's was, and I spent a few days angrily saying to others or even just to thin air, "SERIOUSLY, who does that?!?".

Well, we had a computer savvy friend come over and he said it was most likely not a malicious thing (as in the person was not a weirdo with four fake babies at their house, or he/she not doing it to try to steal our identity, but more likely he/she was using my info to try and make earnings).  I guess I should find it flattering that someone finds my blog so interesting as to steal parts of our journey!  Regardless, I am now doing a few preventative things, including watermarking every picture on this blog & going back to watermark all from the beginning.  It does not protect us 100%, but it does make it more difficult for an individual to (illegally, I should note) do what he/she did.  Thus, you will find my blog under construction and if you go back to older posts, some pictures are not yet back in.  In all my spare time, I am working on that--- ha!

The Adorable!
Early October was the "original due date" of our quad squad and we celebrated with a professional photo session.  Our photographer was Dan Johnson, who did a fabulous job!  I met Dan & his wife Jodi 10 years ago when I became a Senior High leader at our church.  They were fellow leaders and had lots of energy (mandatory for youth ministry).  It was great having Dan capture our beauties!  These photos are already 2 months old and the babies have grown a ton, but they turned out so great!

Lauren

Hannah

The Boys

Tanner

Tyler

Our Fab Five

What an arm-full!

Hugs!

Becky

Four four month olds & a 4 year old (say that four times fast!)

Four babies, 3 (outdoor) cats, 2 parents, one Jenna, & life in general certainly keep things busy around here!  The quads are over 4 months old (1 1/2 months, adjusted), and are awesome babies.  They overall have very good temperaments and Jenna has adjusted well to them.  She is such a huge help!  And, thanks to the guidance from the book Babywise, they are on a rockin' schedule complete with solid night sleeps every night!
The only problem is that Andy had a head cold last week and now I have it...ugh!  Praying the babies & Jenna stay healthy!!!

Jenna and her "brothers & sisters" as she calls them

We had the babies' 4 month doctor appointment last week.  They are growing to be chunky little monkeys who are doing well on the charts!  Length, head size & weights were are on track.  They are all healthy and up to date on shots, and also all qualified to get a special RSV prevention shot because of their delicate preemie lungs.  They will get one every month and it does not completely protect them, but it definitely will help!  We don't want any unnecessary visits to the doctor or hospital for anyone!
Tyler-  10#4 oz, 21 1/4"long
Tanner- 11# 8 oz, 22 1/8" long
Lauren- 11# 7 oz, 22" long
Hannah- 11# 8oz, 22 1/2" long
Way to grow, babies!  They also are definitely growing as individuals and their little personalities are starting to shine.  Here is an update.

Lauren- Our smiley little girl!  She has bright eyes that always seem to take in the world in new & exciting ways.  She often loves to smile and flirt with anyone who talks to her.  She is a wonderful sleeper, eater, and is pretty content but has the sweetest siren of a cry when she is hungry or uncomfortable!  Although not a reflux girl, Lauren will spit-up if not burped well.  The other day daddy was feeding the girls and had not burped either one, and she erupted like Mt. Etna!  Andy started to panic and once I lifted Lauren up so she didn't choke, I laughed and laughed (I think I am far too use to getting puked on).  I had fun watching Andy problem solve what to do when you are still in the middle of feeding 2 kids and suddenly you have puke all over yourself, the sofa, and one (or 2) of the babies.   Lauren was just fine and seemed unfazed.  Daddy was not!  We LOVE our beautiful Lauren!

Hannah & Lauren with matching outfits

Hannah- our sweet little diva!  Hannah is the sweetest, most beautiful little girl with a gift for HOWLING in the evening.  In fact, we have a habit now of putting her in "quarantine"every evening between the second-to-last (6 pm) and last feeding (9pm).  Her quarantined area is the middle of our bed, and this is what happens:  after the feed, the kids all have "play" time.  Tummy time, back time, playing or snuggling with us, whatever the activity, Hannah starts to cry.  And cry.  And the more attention she gets, the more she howls!  And so we put her, propped up, in the middle of our bed.  We turn on a lamp, partially close the door, and she will howl for about 5 minutes and then be quiet.  Sometimes she sleeps, sometimes she is awake, but she stays perfectly content and I think she needs the space!  Despite her diva-ish behaviors, we so love our Hannah and wouldn't change a thing about her!  She is just a fun little baby who has sparkly eyes and the cutest smile when you talk to her.  She is very curious and social.  Our beautiful Hannah!

Hannah hugging Tanner as they both snoozed off.  I love how close they all are!

Tanner- He is overall the most laid-back of the four!  Both boys have pretty bad reflux and are on meds for that.  I feel terrible for the pain they have, and Tanner is often straightening his trunk, extending his legs, and wincing.  On the plus side, however, he has wonderful trunk extension and has the best 90 degree head up on tummy time! (I know, what a therapist thing to say...).   Tanner also use to prefer his head to move to only his left side and I was concerned about torticolis and a flattened head, so mom here went into action. I started doing therapy with him and I am proud to say the preference is almost gone!   We also have Early On now coming for all the kiddos, so hopefully they can help with this and any other issues.  
Tanner has the longest, most adorable eyelashes and while not as smiley as the girls, he will stare adoringly at you with these big, beautiful eyes and my heart just melts.  Then, if I am so lucky, he will give this half-grin smile showing off a right cheeked dimple and it just makes my day.  I love my Tanner-Man so much!

Tanner is my guy in the blue stars.  Just look at that head control!

Tyler- my little peanut, my snuggle bug, and just the sweetest little baby!  I know some day he will be this big, hulky 6'2" man, but right now he is my snuggly little boy and I love it.  Tyler also has really bad reflux, and sometimes has a nasty refluxy-spit-up that will come up (even hours later) out his nose and mouth.  I still get a little concerned that he might choke or aspirate.  It is terrible- it scares & I'm sure hurts him too.  It probably happens a few times a week- he makes this choking sound, and then as it comes up he makes the most pathetic little scared cry.  I suction his nose and mouth immediately and hold him tight & upright to comfort and soothe him.  NOT FUN.  He is gaining weight & this is not uncommon, but I can't wait until this is a thing of the past!  Tanner did it a few times weeks ago but not anymore, so hopefully Tyler will "outgrow" it really, really soon.  My sweet little guy.  
Tyler also likes to stare adoringly into my eyes, and smiles are a rare but awesome thing to see.  Like Tanner, Tyler also has a dimple in his right cheek and does the cutest little half-smirk smile.  They are identical but both look completely different to me.  We love our little Tyler so much!

So serious, little man!

Tyler is the guy in front.  

Jenna- so big, so helpful, so smart!  Jenna is LOVING pre-school and is practically teaching herself to read!  She loves to sit at her table and write numbers, letters of the alphabet, words, draw pictures, and make letters for friends and family.  She can even write a few words on her own (Jenna, mom, dad, mimi, papa... the list is growing daily!).  Jenna is starting to read things like lotion bottles and sound out words.  She is so amazing!  Jenna also loves singing her heart out and she is always singing songs from her favorite Cedarmont Kids CD/DVDs.  Nothing makes me smile greater than her singing at the top of her lungs, "He's Got the Whole World, in His Hands!".  We are so fiercely proud of and in love with our sweet little Jenna Joy.  She is simply the best daughter and big sister in the world!

Jenna and her friend Reagan holding Hannah & Lauren

With cousin Elizabeth and K9-cousin Steve

Best Big Sister Ever!

As for us, it seems totally normal to feed 4 babies every 3 hours & wear spit-up as our cologne of choice.  And FYI, a white residue on shoulders is the "in" wardrobe accessory right now!

Tanner, Tyler, Lauren & Hannah having another pajama party

Life is very, very busy, especially as the holidays approach.  But, we are so blessed & we love it!

Hugs, 

Becky