Jane and Virginia

This is my first try at adding a video to the blog. I caught the girls playing with each other yesterday afternoon.

Doctor's Visit

These are pictures from our last pediatrician appointment. The babies had their second round of immunizations. Each baby gets two shots in each leg, for a total of 16 shots! Jane, Virginia, Rainer and Broox hate them. As long as we have their bottles ready, a pacifier afterwards, and arms to hold them, they are able to settle down. The doc said that they look great!

As soon as we get there, we strip all of the babies and lay them out on the table. They weigh and measure each baby.
I think they enjoy hanging out in just their diapers for a little while.
I try to keep them entertained while we wait on the doctor. When he gets there, we start with the baby on the end. He checks them out, then we shift everyone down and place that baby at the other end. It works like an assembly line.
We brought the stroller this time instead of dragging in the carriers. The babies are just getting too big for that mode of transport. This worked much better!
Another successful appointment!

6 Months Old Today!

Rainer, Virginia, Jane, and Broox

The quads are six months old today! This is a picture we took on Friday and I was thrilled to get one with all eyes open, no crying and two smiling. That can be quite a challenge with four babies. They are wearing their cute new outfits that Annie brought them from New York. We are now in Brewton for the week awaiting my best friends wedding on Saturday. It's much easier to pack the babies up for a week than for a weekend. No matter how long you are staying, you have to take the same things, so you might as well make it worth your while. Of course, I love being here with all of my family, and so do the babies.

I've been looking back at some of the first pictures we ever took of Rainer, Virginia, Jane and Broox and the difference in their size and looks in just six months is unbelievable. I remember thinking that the clothes they are wearing now probably wouldn't fit them until they were crawling or walking! Broox is now 17 pounds, Rainer is 15 and the girls are both right around 12. I'm really starting to notice my achy back and sore shoulders at the end of each day. I don't know what I'll do when they get much bigger! At every stage we have to adjust and learn new ways to do things. It seems like the minute we get used to the way things are, they are doing something new, or there is a new tooth (Rainer has gotten the first one!), or someone doesn't want to sit in their bouncy seat anymore. I'm sure this is the way it is for all new parents and it's what makes this first year so full of excitement, and anticipation.The sad part of having quadruplets is that they are the only babies that we'll ever have, so when they grow up, it's all over. It is passing in a flash. Through all of the hustle and bustle, I'm trying to take the time to stop and enjoy all of these moments, even the sometimes difficult ones.

A New Stage

It's been a good week. I've been trying to figure out the babies' napping schedule. The girls are great nappers, but the boys just aren't that interested. Then, by four o'clock they are very fussy until they get their bottle at six and hit the hay. The babies are now sleeping at night, however, so that is the most important thing to us. They are almost six months old and it is such a fun age! They are really starting to reach out for the things that they want and are great at grasping rings and shaking rattles. They are constantly moving their bodies and everyone is flipping over now except for Broox, but he is very close. He is trying hard and keeps lifting his body to the half way point, but can't quite make it over. Because he uses the one arm over and over, he just ends up turning his body in circles on the mat. He gives it a good shot before he lets me know that he is done! I'm sure it will be any day now. The babies were introduced to the exersaucer this week and the boys give it a big thumbs up. I think Jane and Virginia are still a little too small. They seemed kind of nervous and couldn't steady their bodies that well. I'm excited for them to have a new toy. I feel like they must be getting somewhat tired of the dangling toys and are ready for a new challenge. All of the babies are eating rice cereal at night now too. Broox is our best eater. He loves it and fusses if you can't get it into his mouth as quickly as he would like you to. Virginia is also turning into a good little eater as well. She sees the spoon coming, opens up her mouth and sticks her tongue out. It's very cute. Not much of the food stays in her mouth, but we're getting there. Rainer and Jane are progressing, but still haven't quite caught on to opening their mouth for the spoon. I'm even beginning to notice the babies notice each other for the first time. Every now and again one will see the other and start babbling and smiling to get their attention. This morning Broox and Rainer were making eye contact and smiling at each other. It was so sweet. I can already tell that this will be one of my favorite parts of having multiples. I am having the best time watching what they do from day to day. I can't imagine the changes we'll see in the coming month!

Today I took some pictures of the babies during their bath time.

Rainer

Broox

Jane

Virginia

Broox the Lion

Rainer the Frog

Jane the Lamb

Virginia the Duck