A Late Post

A year ago the Garrett Quads were featured in the Homewood Star for a Mother's Day special on Moms of Multiples.  I wasn't blogging at the time, so I never posted it.  Click on the link below to read our article.

Homewood Star Article

4th of July

We spent 4th of July week on Folly Beach with Gray's family.  We had some rainy weather early in the week, but it cleared up at the end.  The Quads loved the beach this year and spent most of their time digging moats and jumping waves.   We were able to see some of the sights in Charleston, including the South Carolina Aquarium and the North Charleston Fire Museum.  We all had a nice time and the children got some quality time with their adorable cousins, Liles and Joe.  These are some pictures we took on the 4th of July before dinner.

The children of beach week
(L to R)  Broox, Liles, Virginia, Rainer, Jane and Joe Garrett

Jane

The Quads love exploring the rocks on the beach.

I don't know what we were doing here, but this picture cracks me up.

Rainer likes doing a silly walk in the sand.

Broox was proud of balancing between these two rocks.  It was the only picture he would pose for.

Hey Rainer!

The children had a really good time collecting shells on the beach.  They wanted to make sure and get some to take back to their preschool teachers.

We're done with pictures!  Let the fireworks begin!!

Dance Recital

On Thursday, the girls performed in their very first dance recital.  The name of the ballet was "Tutti Frutti" and the girls' class represented Dreamsicles.  Jane and Virginia had the best time dressing up and getting to wear a little makeup.  They did so well and remembered almost all of their moves!  Lizzie, Honey and Pal all came up for the big event and we had a great time.  Here are just a few pictures we took in the backyard before the performance.

Easter 2013

Easter 2013

This was the best Easter egg hunt yet.  The children were overjoyed to see that the Easter bunny really left eggs,  and each egg found was just as exciting as the first!

Rainer smiled and giggled the entire time.

Searching for the last of the eggs in Honey and Pal's front yard.  We had to strip the girls down to their slips, because they kept stepping on them.  Honey had to take them inside and re-wash and iron them before church.  Getting everyone showered and clothed (re-clothed) along with Easter baskets and an egg hunt before church was quite a feat.  So glad we were in Brewton with extra hands!  :)

The Quads with their booty.  They were proud of their work.

The boys left for early church with Daddy and Lizzie.  The girls stayed with me, while I finished getting ready for a later service.  While they waited for their mama and clean dresses we got some cute shots of the sisters.

Jane flopped down on the bed and posed for a few pics.  I hate that this one turned out a little blurry.

Sweet Virginia at Aunt Candy's Easter brunch.

Everybody smiling for the camera.  It's an Easter miracle!

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

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

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