Closing in on 7 Months

Next week, the quads turn seven months old. I wanted to share some of the things we have been up to this month, new tricks the babies are doing, and the ways that we are changing to accommodate their new skills.

More and more I am noticing the babies wanting to get up and go. They seem to be getting frustrated that they still have very limited mobility. Playing on the floor is getting dull, so they keep me constantly moving as I pick up and put down babies here and there. While they enjoy playing by themselves and exploring new things for a while, they are demanding one on one time with Mama more than ever. They are beginning to notice me with another baby. I so wish there were more of me to go around. I am looking forward to the day when they can at least sit up on their own. I can tell that they enjoy that view of the world much better, and anytime I put them in a boppy or chair they strain to sit up. I think they are very close, but they can only do it for a short while on their own before they tip over, back or to the side. They also enjoy standing on the floor or in your lap whenever possible. Rainer especially enjoys this and will often refuse to bend at the knees and sit.

I think that the coming month ,just as the sixth, is going to be full of growth for the Virginia, Rainer, Jane and Broox.

This is our new quad table!!! We absolutely love it. Papa and our friend Mr. Raymond custom built the table for the quads. This allows Gray and me to both sit at the table and each take two babies to feed. It takes up so much less room than four high chairs and we are able to feed them all at one time. I love how their little legs dangle!

Rainer, Jane, Broox and Virginia happy to be in their fancy new table.



Now that the babies have some control over their bottles, I am propping them up. This way I can feed everyone at the same time. I had to stop feeding them on the couch by myself, because they kept trying to roll off.

10 o'clock feeding today.
The babies have been enjoying game days in their Bama duds. Roll Tide!

The exersaucer has been a hit this month.

I received these cute hats before the babies were born and we decided to play dress up with them a few mornings ago. I think the babies got a kick out of them. Here is Rainer in a frog hat.

Broox as a puppy.

Virginia

Hahaha. What a face!

Jane's hat is a little big.

Honey bunny

This is the day his teeth came through and he kept his fingers in his mouth all day.

I thought these pictures on the changing tables were really cute, but unfortunately turned out dark. You can see them better if you double click on the pictures. Look at Rainer's hands in this picture. He loves to put his hands together like that all the time. It cracks me up. We like to say that he's praying for his Mama and Daddy.

Broox

Jane

Virginia

Broox is getting pretty good at holding his bottle. You have to be sitting right by him to help get the bottle back in when he drops it, but I'm trying to let him practice as much as possible. He also doesn't like to do it if he is sleepy. I think he has picked it up first because of his big hands, and because he is so good at grabbing and picking up objects. Bottle holding is going to be so much help to me.

Virginia enjoying the new jack-in-the-box.

We have not really used the Bumbo chairs until now. We decided to pull out the little trays the other day and attach them to the Bumbos with piles of toys on them. I'm glad that we did because the babies will tolerate sitting in them more now. Notice Rainer has his hands folded again.

Virginia in her doorway bouncer. She is probably the best jumper so far. Her tiny feet look precious dancing around and she is so proud of herself when she gets it moving.

Here we are outside of the Newborn Follow-Up Clinic. This clinic follows the development of premature babies during their first three years. This was our first visit and the physical therapist, pediatrician, and nutritionist were amazed at the progress the quads have made. They used to visit the babies in the hospital when they were 2 and 3 pounds and couldn't believe how much they had grown. All of the babies are in the 90th percentile for their adjusted age for development and size. Even when looking at those areas as six month olds, they are still all in the normal range.

Here are their new weights.
Broox: 18 pounds, 7 ounces
Jane: 12 pounds, 9 ounces
Virginia: 12 pounds, 12 ounces

Rainer: 15 pounds, 8 ounces

When we rolled into the clinic, they knew all of the babies names. The appointment started with pictures of each baby. We had the whole clinic to ourselves, and enjoyed the visit. What mother doesn't love to hear how well her babies are doing?

Here is Rainer standing on my lap. Rainer has both bottom teeth and you can just barely see them in this picture. He was the first to have a tooth pop through, then Jane, and yesterday Broox joined the club! I'm sure Virginia's will break through soon. She is chewing on everything.

Jane posing for the camera.

Counting the fish on her dress.

Virginia in polka dots.

Broox hanging out.

Rainer enjoying the last days of his first summer.

Zoo Trip!

Last week, Jane and I were both sick. She was running fever and had a bad cough and runny nose. It was difficult to keep all of the things she touched and put in her mouth away from the other babies. I was also having a hard time entertaining the three well babies, while comforting the sick one. Thankfully, I was able to recruit some great help from my parents. They made their way to Birmingham on Thursday afternoon and were here for the weekend to lend us a helping hand. Jane started feeling better on Friday and we decided to take the babies on their first trip to the zoo.

We're here! Strapped in and ready to go in their sunhats.
Here is Pal with the stroller about to enter the zoo. The lady and children to the right were just the first of the many people we met that day. The Garrett Quads and their stroller cause quite a stir in public.

It may be a few more months before the babies get into the animals. The zoo provided a great place to stroll if nothing else. Most of all I enjoyed getting out of the house. It was a beautiful day!

Three babies asleep by the time we made it to the giraffes.

Jane was the only one still awake so I took her out to get a better view of the animals. She was definitely interested in these strange creatures.

Stopping traffic at the zoo. The children were the most amazed and asked lots of questions.

Jane loved the carousel.

.....but had a fit when it was over!

Taking a pit stop at the zoo cafe.

Virginia checking out the crowd.

Jane feeling better.

Rainer is still sleeping.

"I'm awake!" "Petting zoo anyone??"

Broox and the geese.

I'm glad that the babies were able to experience so many new things on Friday. Honey and Pal got the quads a membership to the zoo, so we'll be able to visit lots this year. You definitely have to have two or three people to go, but it was well worth it. I can't wait to go back!

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