Garrett Quads

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Jane

Elizabeth Jane Garrett

Nickname: Janie, Janie Jane

Words Used to Describe You: nurturing, mother hen, talkative, high maintenance, girly girl, particular, sweet, people pleaser, happy, good listener, helpful, dramatic, observant

Dear Jane,

You have short curly brown hair and big blue-green eyes. You are the shortest of your brothers and sisters and weigh in at twenty-five pounds. You are extremely verbal and were the first to be able to carry on a conversation. You pick up the phrases that your daddy and I use often and pull them out when the opportunity presents itself. Last night when I told you it was time to go to sleep you said, “Ummm…how ‘bout one more Dora.” When I ask you where something is, you might say, “It’s in my bedroom I bet.” You are a little mama to your siblings. You are always checking up on them and asking about them. You like to tell them you love them. You are a big helper to your mama. You are good about picking up your toys or bringing things to me when I need them. You know the order of events and all of the routines that we have from day to day, and like to talk about your family. You like to talk it out with me, always making sure that you have it just right. You are a happy girl who likes to play with dolls, dance and laugh. You are mature for your age and I am able to explain things to you and you understand and accept the explanation. You were a breeze to potty train because you like to do things that “big girls” do. You can be very high maintenance, especially at bedtime. Before you go to bed peacefully, you demand a list of items. Pink socks, “lil baby”, Penny, water, doggy, pink jacket, froggy, and “Coley blanket” are just a few of the things that we run around the house looking for so that you will go to sleep. When we give you these things, you tuck them down under your blanket and then pull the comforter over your head to fall asleep. We often sneak in and remove at least half of it before we go to sleep and we are trying to teach you to narrow it down. We give you two options and you choose one. This sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. The truth is, it’s just a stall technique you use to stay up longer. You love to eat and take your time when you do. It drives your siblings crazy when they quickly gobble up their cookie at snack and you are still nibbling away at yours. I have a hard time convincing them it’s still your first one. You are a big hoarder too, and sneak their snacks away when you can. You are a girly girl and love all things pink. We’ve started talking a little about Christmas and when I asked you what you wanted Santa to bring you, you said presents. When I asked what kind, you said, “pink ones.” You badly want a ponytail, but don’t have enough hair yet. You are such a smart, funny and loving little girl. We love you so much!

Love,

Mama

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Broox

Broox Gray Garrett IV

Nicknames: Brooxy, Buddy

Words Used to Describe You: one track mind, busy, intense, creative, imaginative, loving, tender, ticklish, inquisitive, mechanic, focused

Dear Broox,

You are 29 pounds with not one, but two cowlicks. You have big chocolate brown eyes, and you are still the largest of your brother and sisters. You already remind me so much of your daddy. Everything from the way that you walk to your quiet focus and determination. You love any tool or machine. You sometimes bring me things and ask me to turn them on, even if they aren’t electronic. In your world, everything should move or make a noise. You are busy all the time and like to work. You are constantly “blowing” our house with a toy you have flipped over to look like a leaf blower. You are obsessed with vacuums. We have started telling you that daddy takes it to work every day, which works until you find it’s new hiding place. You always find it! You are very good at solving problems and think of ways to escape or climb out of and onto anything. You know all the things that we don’t want you to have or touch and make a b-line for them whenever the opportunity arises. Whenever you get really quiet we know we better find you quickly. You don’t seem to care too much about getting our praise, you just want to do the things that you want to do without us interfering. You like to play with your trucks and trains, but also have a very soft spot for baby dolls and stuffed animals. I love to watch you wrap a baby up in a blanket and rock it while you sing. I love to watch you kiss your dog on the head and pet his back. (His tail also serves as a vacuum hose J ) You have wonderful hugs that make you shake from squeezing so hard, and you give big wet kisses right on the mouth. You like to check on your brother and sisters when they are crying with a pat on the back, a hug, or just by asking…”okay Ginia?” Unfortunately, you cause some of the crying when you take toys away or push. You are no stranger to time out, and sometimes just have to have some space to calm down. You are the most ticklish child. You break out into a fit of laughter from a poke on your tummy. You also think silly things on t.v. are funny, like someone slipping down or something dropping on someone’s head. Dora the Explorer is your favorite show and you love your Dora doll. I like to listen to you answer all of her questions and point to the t.v. You are talking a lot now, and its fun to finally hear all of the thoughts that have been going through your head. You are such a sweet and unique boy!

Love,

Mama

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Rainer

James Rainer Garrett

Nicknames: Rain Rain, Rainy

Words Commonly Used to Describe You: sweet, flirty, funny, cuddly, sensitive, clingy, comedian, talkative, mischievous, shy, attention lover

Dear Rainer,

You are now 25 pounds with copper red hair and one dimple in your right cheek. You have a wonderful and mature sense of humor. I love to get you in a giggle fit, because when you laugh, it’s impossible not to laugh along. You love to be a clown and will repeat your actions over and over again if your siblings are getting a kick out of it. Sometimes you like to sing, talk or jibber jabber out loud and move your arms and legs like you are performing on a stage. I usually just catch you doing it by yourself and you smile at me like you’ve let me in on a secret. Other times, especially around new people, you can be very shy. You love to be held. You can be clingy and don’t like to share my lap with your brother or sisters, which is tough when you’re from a set of quads. Lately, you’ve even told me to “sit down!” so that you could crawl in my lap. Sometimes when you are in a bad mood, you have a hard time getting out of it. You become very sensitive and need your blankie. Your blankie is your favorite thing. You need it to sleep, and it can instantly calm you down. You are a great sleeper, but often get woken up by your rowdy brother. You never seem to mind too much though, and love to play with Broox. You and Broox are in the habit of moving the furniture in your room around and swapping beds during naptime. Sometimes you watch Broox and follow his lead on what to do. When you are by yourself, you sometimes seem a little unsure, but you love the one on one attention. You talk all the time…loudly! You probably talk the most, but I don’t always understand what you say yet. I know you get tired of me asking you to repeat words, but I always figure it out in the end. You are like a little parrot copying everything we say. Sometimes you are mischievous and have to go to time out, but your cute and flirty smile usually gets you off the hook in the end. You are crazy about snacks and ask for them multiple times a day. You like to open the pantry door and get into the potato chips. I have to laugh when I find you up to your shoulder in a bag of Tostitos. You like hamburgers and pancakes best of all. You are so special to me and I love you very much!

Love,

Mama

Monday, July 25, 2011

Toddlers: Virginia

I thought it was time to once again highlight each of the quads. Now that they have reached the two-year mark, their personalities are more evident than ever and we always marvel at how unique they are. I often inquire about what Gray and I were like as toddlers to our parents, looking to find some similarities in behavior. I hope that one day the quads will be able to look back at these profiles and get to know themselves at two. It will be interesting to see if much has even changed.

Virginia Katherine Garrett

Your nicknames: Gin Gin, Ginny Kate, Gi-Gi (this is the name that Jane has given her and the boys fell in line)

Words commonly used to describe you: free-spirited, independent, nature lover, care free, stubborn, dancer, music lover, self soother, cozy, observant, expressive

Dear Virginia,

You are a petite 22-pound ball of energy with bouncy ringlets. You are a fantastic dancer! You never miss a chance to shake your groove thing, and have loved music every since you were a baby. I love to watch you change your motions and expressions with the song that is playing. You like to hop or gallop everywhere you go, and one of your favorite games is pretending to be different animals. You only stop moving when you are sleepy or need a little cuddle time with Annabelle (your lovey.) You like feeling different textures and you melt when you feel something very soft. Anabelle and Lil’ Lamb are your favorites. You can count to ten now, but you often skip three, four and five. I guess you think that 1,2,6,7,8,9,10 has a better ring to it. You love to sing the ABCs and Old MacDonald. Your favorite animal is a sheep. You hate to put on your pajamas at night and prefer a “pretty dress” or bathing “soup” to anything else. You love to go swimming, but dislike a bath most of the time. Your favorite food is pasta and I’m always amazed at how quickly it disappears from your plate. You are a big talker and you love to ask questions. The first things you ask in the morning are usually, “Boys are sleeping?” or “Daddy at work?” You are expressive, joyful, and love to have a good time. You can also be dramatic when things don’t go your way. Sometimes you have tantrums and other times you sigh and drop your arms to your side, while making a pouty face. A new phrase you like to use is “I not like it!” You love little details and often point them out in books and on television. You love a good movie. You can be found outside collecting tiny rocks and flowers. You love to give hugs and kisses, and enjoy playing with your siblings. You have a great smile and a contagious laugh. You already have a special bond with your sister in the way that you communicate and interact. I love watching you grow!