I know this post is long over due but it’s been one thing after another around here, ER and after hours visits, sickness, gearing up for Christmas, Christmas shopping, regular day to day activities, etc. I apologize in advance for how long it is. If you are in a hurry to read, for sure come back when you have more time
2008 was a year that can not be described with words. 2008, to us, has a feeling to it that can not be duplicated. It has been the most AMAZING, EXCITING, SCARY, EXHAUSTING, PRICELESS, BLESSED, BUSY, CHALLENGING, BEAUTIFUL year of our lives. We wanted so badly to be parents and we got that, four times over with the most WONDERFUL children on the planet (I know, biased). We wake up everyday in udder disbelief STILL. This week even, I woke up and said “I have quadruplets, really, I do”. They are almost 11 months old and I still can’t get over it. I picture myself helping them pack their boxes for college ALL AT THE SAME TIME, looking at them, thinking, “I have quadruplets, I get it now…. And now they are off to college”. It seems like the days can’t slow down to savor the moments you want to relive over and over. I want to wake up every day, for the rest of my life, and walk into the nursery where four babies with HUGE smiles on their face are standing up, doing pick me up arms, squealing with excitement to see me. It is hands down, my favorite time of day…. And with all of that being said, here is a list of things and people we are thankful for, that we have been blessed with, in 2008.
(In no particular order)
Trey – My gate keeper. The little man that lay protecting him and his siblings from the outside world while they grew. And he did an amazing job (despite the few swift kicks to some sensitive areas). He is a very happy child. He is loud with excitement. He squeals and talks so loudly when he’s excited. He wants everyone to know he’s having a good time. He loves to flirt. The poor boy does get his feelings hurt though when he needs you and you can’t be there for him (tending to others). He laughs the most at the other kids and really wants to interact with them. He has this open mouth smile, and throws his head back, as if his whole body was smiling. I am thankful for Trey. For being a great BIG brother. For bring so healthy. For caring so much about his siblings already. For his appetite. I am thankful that he is willing to work through is preemie extension issue with much patience. I am thankful for how strong he is.
Reid – My spit fire. Lil bit with a BIG attitude. She was the reason we delivered when we did. Her placenta had started to detach and she wasn’t getting what she needed anymore. Knowing what I know about her now, I am pretty sure she was in there kickboxing it because she wanted out. She can’t be held down. She wants to do what she wants to do, when she wants to do it. She is happy and loves to communicate with adults. She is very independent and this I love about her but will also grow to despise about her has she becomes a teenager. She has little interest in food and big interest in exploring. I am thankful for her drive. I am thankful for her fight, despite being the smallest at 1 lbs 15 oz, she was the first to do everything. For her determination. For her smile that can light a room. She is my guardian angel, she knew mama’s insides were starting to go and she said it was time to come out.
Cameron – Her smile…oh her smile. It’s so genuine. Her whole body smiles. She is her mother inside and out. With her chubby cheeks, little lips and her diva moments, she’s a chip off the old block. She loves attention, can’t get enough of it. Her daddy hung the moon. I love that she is so social, even in our little group of four babies, she always wants to play and touch and smile at the others. Her excited smile when she blows air out her nose is hysterical, my little bull. Poor baby had the WORST time with reflux of our crew, we felt so bad for her. But now, you wouldn’t know it by her happy face. I am thankful for her expressions that can always make my day better. I am thankful for her very strong love for things important to her (daddy being number one). I am thankful for her fight in the NICU. She had the hardest road and she did AMAZING. For her ever so soft touch and her soft spoken voice. For her love for animals. She truly is my mini me.
Brady – Our giggle box. What a jokester. Everything is accompanied by a full blown laugh. It is infectious. He is a mama’s boy, no denying that. Being the youngest, he sometimes acts like the youngest. He is the most loveable, cuddly child I have ever seen. His smile covers his whole face. In the earliest stages of his life, he was the quietest, cried the least, slept the most and was our best eater. Boy, did he evolve into quiet a personality. He is small but one of the biggest personalities in the house. I am thankful for his strength through his surgery. I am thankful for his constant hugs and kisses. I am thankful for his NEED for his mom, though sometimes I can’t always be right with him, other kids you know. For his priceless laugh. For his ability to be a total koala bear and wrap around your entire body. For his love to play with his siblings, chase, toys, anything. So precious. He is our little B and the life of the party, always.
Robbie – To save some time (because I could write a book about this man), I will keep it short. He is the greatest thing that ever happened to me (next to my kids, of course). I feel God put him in my life for a reason. We really and truly are perfect for each other. In good times, and bad, we are what keeps each other going. He is an amazing father and he loves those kids more than I could ever explain. And the way they light up when he comes home from work, puts a smile on my face every time. I’m thankful that he is my friend, my partner in crime, my rock, my shoulder, the father of children, a hard worker, my comedian… my everything. I am so thankful I am married to this man.
God – We thank God for all the gifts and people we have in our lives. He has given us such a full life. We could not ask for more. I thank Him everyday for all that he has given us. We will continue to follow His plan and trust in Him.
(I will try to keep the rest a little shorter, in fear that you may fall asleep reading this it’s so long)
Family – We have some great family members. I am thankful for those who stood by us during our struggle to have children, the pregnancy and of course, helping with our wonderful children. Some of you made so many special points to do things above and beyond for us and we can never thank you enough. We are so thankful to have you in our lives.
Friends – So many of our friends are like family to us. They have supported us in some of the hardest, scariest times of our lives. In particular, our fertility journey to present. We are thankful for all they have done for us. Just to “shout out” to a few… Sarah, Mark, Lizzie, Alicia, Jennifer T, Crystal, Ashley, April, Liz, Raelyn, Clay, Deidra, Jessica, and so many more. The support you have given us is immeasurable.
Fellow Quad mamas – I am so thankful to have met these women. I could not have made it through parenting quads with out their support and advice. I can not even begin to tell you how much they helped me. They will be in my heart forever. Suzie (who was even at my delivery), Misty, Gen, Jen, Charity, Moni, Jac, Jenny, Maria, Mari… and even my to-be mamas have been huge in my life… Jenna and Amy-Jo. LOVE YOU GIRLS SO MUCH!
Volunteers – I am thankful beyond words for the friends and even strangers that donated their time and resources to help with our children and meals for us. I could not have made it through the first 6 months of their lives without you people! And the best part, is I am thankful for them because they are now our friends. We had such a great group but we had some regulars that I want to mention. They donated time weekly to see us and it was so sweet. Maureen, Amanda D-M, Jessica B, Ashley, April, Roxanne, Cory, Donna, Kim.. and many more.
Doctors – We had and have, the most amazing doctors watching over me and the quads. I am CERTAIN we are all so healthy today because of their care and knowledge. I could not have made it without one of them. Dr Lee (our fertility doc), Dr. Blewett (my OB), Dr. Brough (the man who delivered our babies), Dr. Angel (OB partner), Dr. Remedios (OB partner), Dr. Patton (high risk peri) and Dr. Rinehart (high risk peri). And the doctors for the kids were even more amazing to us… Dr. Deulofeut, Dr. Nystrom, Dr. King, Dr. Archer, Dr. Lummus and of course, our wonderful pedi, Dr. Goebel. We are so thankful to have had you taking care of us.
Nurses – I am so thankful for the amazing nurses we had and HAVE. From the very beginning at the fertility clinic to our pedi’s office. You guys were such great support for me! And of course, I have to list some of the ones that are particularly near and dear to our hearts… Jennifer L, Barbie, Lori (sonographer), April, Lily, Latrice, Amber, Sarah, Kim, Kelly, Toy, Lauren, Sister Ann, Vicki, Jenn, Deb, Meg, Lauren and so many more…And of course, Staci, dealing with my daily calls to the pedi.
I am thankful for our health
I am thankful my husband has a job, especially in this bad economy
I am thankful for Ashley, our part time nanny that has allowed me time out of the house. Having her in our lives has been such a blessing.
I am thankful for my dogs
I am thankful for all the people I have in my life
Though I had planned on writing this post around Thanksgiving, there was a little extra motivation lately to sit back and really appreciate what our lives have to offer.
On Friday morning, Dr. David Patton, one of our two periantologists, passed away. A very shocking, sudden thing, we were floored. Dr. Patton took fantastic care of me and my kiddos when they were in the womb. He is literally a genius and this is such a loss to his wife, patients and the medical profession, in general. Last Christmas day, when I was in the hospital trying to keep the babies inside of me, he came to visit me because he felt bad I was there on Christmas. We will always remember him and keep him in our hearts. I didn’t get to see him recently. I went by a couple weeks ago to drop off pictures and didn’t have time to wait to see him. I wish now I would have made the time. You never know what will happen.
Regarding the kids, they are still fighting off the last of this virus. And I am pretty sure Cameron has a tooth the size of the Grand Canyon coming in because she is in the worst mood she’s ever been in. It’s a top one and it is coming in super slow. I feel bad for her. Very little sleep happening, which means the same for mom . We have added some new foods to the diet recently which we hope will help them pack on some pounds. Everyone is just moving and shakin! Lots of pulling up and playing chase. It’s amazing how quickly they do grow up. The teeth count is out of control. Trey is now at 6, Reid is at 6, Cameron is working on that evil number 5, and Brady has ZERO STILL.
And another special thanks… To our amazing blog readers. We are thankful for your prayers and your thoughts. Your comments have helped me through many tough days. We are thankful there are so many people out there that care about our children and support us. You are the best!
And of course, I wouldn’t leave you guys with out photos, especially those who stuck it out through that long post!
"Dad, put the camera down and pick me up" Trey
Baby dog pile. They have an entire room to play in but they play right on top of each other. When they race to something, other babies are just speed bumps. And dont mind the food on the face, they were about to get baths.
The kids favorite past time, laughing at the dogs. Dallas enjoys this game a lot and gives out many kisses... or just enjoy any food missed in clean up, whichever. Also, i LOVE that it looks like Reid is trying to help Cameron stand up. SO SWEET!
All dressed up, no where to go. RSV lock down... BOO. The boys in their painted on tuxedos
Trey boy and mommy. I have been playing around with taking photos myself of me with them. When you are exhausted and sick and home with sick kids, i mean, what else is there really to do :)
"Mom, toys dont go on the shelf, I DO" Brady exhibiting his new favorite thing, taking all the toys off the lower shelf and getting in it.
Little Reid and her mama. I need some practice at angling the photo to take my own picture. Gen, give me tips!
Cameron was playing "dodge mommy game". I would go in for a kiss and she thought it was funny and would dodge me and stick her tongue out, silly girl.
The look of "I didnt do anything"... Reid is the master of this look. Those blue eyes and sweet face... im a sucker
Mommy's cuddle bear, Brady
When i say the boys do everything together, they even pose together. They always seem to mirror eachother, always have. Seen here trying to get a little close to the TV for baby einstein. They crack me up.
Much love, Casey
No comments:
Post a Comment