I'll get right to it:
We started off Thursday night after the last feeding around 6:30pm, naively thinking that the babies would be exhausted and would welcome a nice 3 hour nap...
(you can all begin laughing out loud at us right about now!)
HOOOOOOLY COW! They were quiet for about one hour...then it began...the crying/screaming by all four babies for the next 120 minutes. I jumped in the back and pulled out every toy and every trick a first time momma on a first time road trip with quads could think of!...didn't work...so, after I had exhausted all my efforts, I retreated, in defeat, to the front passenger seat of the burb. Joe and I cranked up the radio, rolled down the windows, and stared ahead in silence with dazed looks on our faces. (popped a couple of Advil in the meantime)
IT. WAS. ROUGH.
Once we got to Austin, it took forever to pat the babies down to sleep! I guess they were just super exhausted and completely thrown off guard by being in a new place, waaaay past their bedtime. The next day and following days were amazing! The babies did great on their schedules and took nice two hour long naps twice a day! (It was just the first two, 3 hour drives, that just about "did us in")
We were able to spend some good time with Uncle Dan at the Steece Villa...the Steece's were at Joe's cousin's wedding in Mexico--CONGRATS Meg!!
Dan with Ben
Before we left on our next 3 hour drive of ear piercing torture, Ethan was practicing his hoop skills on the basketball court
Once again, mama jumped in the back and rattled every toy, sang every song, read every book.....to no avail. Those were the longest three hours of my life (ok, so not really, but wanted to add some dramatic effect to bring home the point!) Finally we arrived in Uvalde and the quads went to sleep pretty easily. (WHEW)
Saturday we enjoyed some good loving from lots and lots of family... (Me & Sav, Grandpapa & Ben, Sugar & Ethan, Joe & Drew--no stripes, but camo pants this time)
Aunt Susan and Savannah
Twins feeding twins...yes folks, more twins in the family (my dad's cousins)! Mary Lou on the left, Karen feeding Drew & Sharon feeding Ethan. I love quinky twink stuff--so look at the womens' postures and then look at the boys' postures. They are doing the same thing! Cracks me up. E & D even have the same shoe missing...
Aunt Sandra with Drew...little fireball!
Aunt Susan with Ethan...sweet cuddle bug!
Then we drove to Brackettville for my mom's twin--Aunt Judy's retirement party. It was so beautiful and Judy will truly be missed at that school! I remember how amazing her classroom is always set up and decorated--such a fun and extraordinary teacher!
Uncle Stoney and Aunt Judy (I hate that I didn't get a picture of Judy with the quads! argh! Just too much going on!)
Family getting to love on the quaddies--holding Ethan
Yep, just pass em around...make sure I count four by the end of the night...and we're good to go!
After the party we headed back to Uvalde for the night and got ready for church the next day. Savannah in her pretty little yellow dress, laughing at her great grandfather.
Sweet Big Ben--he was a little bashful this weekend, believe it or not...
Ben flashing that smile with Aunt Susan
Sugar and Susan with the quads after church
Mom helping me change them and getting them ready for a LONG 6 hour drive home!
Awww...daddy and his princess
Susan with Ethan, Sandra with Drew
I caught sweet little Ethan smiling again!
Aunt Sandra and Uncle Mike with the crew...By the way, Bashful Ben was doing his little shy head tilt for almost every picture (Ben, Sav, Drew, & E)
One last pic before we leave...NO--Joe and I did not PLAN on wearing the same shirts! :) We aren't THAT gooberish!....well....sometimes ;)
And this was SOOOOOOO NEAT! I was able to meet (for the first time) one of my blogger buddies who grew up in Uvalde and just happened to be in town that weekend. Charla and I have been buddies for about 2 years--waaaay before I was even pregnant. Check her site for the whole background story--it is VERY AWESOME--one of those "small world" stories! (She grew up in the same house as my father! Check it out)
It was so great to finally meet--like long-lost friends! Charla was so beautiful, sweet and funny with the most amazing blue eyes!The 6 hour drive home, although dreaded like the dentist, was surprisingly GRRREAT! I think Joe and I finally figured out what works best for our quads. We waited to feed them until they started crying (which was about 2 hours into the trip). I crawled to the back and fed all four--which took about an hour (that is--an hour of babies with bottles in their mouths and not crying--an hour closer to home!) We stopped for gas, burped them, changed their diapers in the burb--now THAT was a sight to see. I wish so badly I would have had my camera. Just imagine with me, if you will: Joe was in the very back seat, diapering the two on the back row--in their carseats...Suz is hunched down in front of Joe, in between the middle bucket seats, diapering the middle two--in their carseats--while people are driving by the gas station, hearing four babies crying, and staring at us with our windows rolled down. We were laughing the whole time, we could barely see what we were doing!
All in all....a WONDERFUL trip! But we DID modify this weekend's itinerary and cancelled the 3 hour drive to Houston. We will stay in Waco the whole time...must recuperate! My next post will be about the grocery items that were life-savers on this journey!
64 comments:
Suzanne,
I just recently discovered your blog, and I am already a huge fan. Your babies are absolutely adorable!!! I'm glad the trip went well. My husband and I don't have any children, yet, so this is something I have to look forward to.
God bless you and your family!!
:)
Sounds like you had quite an adventure. Glad you learned how to travel with quads. Hope you recover soon!
~Elyse~
Suz,
Luv the post. It is a lot of work traveling with all those babes, but it looks like you survived. Your little ones are developing such cute personalities. SIMPLY ADORABLE!
Maureen
arnoldquads.blogspot.com
Welcome to parenthood and traveling with babies - hardly anything goes as planned - you must always have a "plan B". I must come see you soon - they are getting so big - Love ya all - Linda
i read your blog all the time but never seem to get a chance to post a comment. i smiled the whole time reading your post about traveling texas with the babies. we have 2 little ones 16 months apart and our road trips are stressful too! everyone always says, "don't they just fall asleep in the car?" No, they do not. They yell and scream and I too crawl in the back and pull every move you tried this past weekend. Thanks for the smiles!!
Heather
My cousin is Kimberly Hall I read your blog through hers all the time. Just wanted to let you know I am from Uvalde. My dad was the preacher at the CofC there for 5 years, I know most of those people in the pics. My husband and I moved away a few years ago but get back often for visits....Thanks for sharing.
I have been following your blog and every post cracks me up. You have such a great attitude with everything and I always can't wait for the next post. You and your family have been in my prayers and will remain in my prayers. Your kids are precious. My husband and I recently had a little girl...I love all of the bows in Savannah's hair, where do you get them? I can't find any like that!!!
Abby
Glad you all made the trip safely. What wonderful stories you'll have to share with the kids later and pictures to go with. Warm fuzzy memories
That was so fun to read! :) I am pregnant with twins and I always tell my husband... I'm never going to be able to 1. go anywhere by myself (without a hand!) and 2. go on a road trip for a while. You proved it can happen! :) ha! Not easy, but sounds like it was fun!!
You are an amazing family and a inspiration as a mom. You are beautiful and just exude strength.
;)
Traveling with kids can be a shocker. Just wait until you take a plane trip...security takes some talent to get through. I am glad that you were able to see your family and get those babies some loving! Thanks for posting. I enjoy reading your blog.
That is sooo funny! Those smiles are TOO cute. You, your mom and Savannah all look so sweet together! Love the pics. :0) You survived-YAY!!!!
Looks like y'all had a great time! My girls (now 2 & 4), cried in their car seats for the first year of each of their lives. We finally got a DVD player, and it CHANGED OUR LIVES!!!! We swear by them - even at the quads age. Put in something with music and dancing. They sell dual ones that go on the back of seats. So wonderful1!!! :)
Looks like such a wonderful trip! I was literally laughing trying to picture you alla t the gas station! You two are so funny! Thanks for the quick update! you know we were all "patiently" waiting!
i checked your blog all day to see how it went, the suspense was killing me! I love that you get to try things first and i learn your tricks :)
So glad you had a good time, sounded super busy but fun! We missed you :)
Suz,
More and more I'm convinced that you are Superwoman. And I guess that would make Joe Superman! I'm glad the trip went well for the most part. It's amazing to me that with four babies, all of you always look so clean and put together in every picture (I would be a total wreck), and Savannah's bow is always on her little head. And they're just absolutely beautiful babies. Ben's the one that gets me the most - you're going to have to beat the girls off with a stick! Thanks for letting us take a peek into your life!
Christy
Tyler, TX
Hi Suz, I've been following your blog from a triplet blogger in Kansas City. I caught on while you were pregnant. I've commented a few times to you. Anyway, I now have a blog, although it's not quite as exciting as yours. I think your children are so beautiful, it's so awesome to see them smiling so big in all the pics!
OHHH SUZ... geezz.. having FLASH backs. Once they hold those bottles.. the road trips get sooooooo much easier.. promise!
I'm so glad you made it and survived to share the story.
Loved ALL the pics too! They are getting so big!!!! I think I say that EVERY post.. but really!! So darn cute.
Oh, got the Vaseline out... two kids and one sofa to go...will have to blog about that later. :)
Love you guys!
Is it June yet?
XOXO
Gen:)
I just LOVE those kiddos' smiles!! Can they get any bigger or cuter? Glad you survived the big trip and that overall, it went well. What's up next? hehe...
Thanks for updating...I have been wondering how the trip went. Glad ya'll were safe...The babies are so precious...I know you know how blessed you are...they are just so sweet.
Glad you survived the trip and despite a rough time in the car it looks like you had a fabulous time. We just got home yesterday from our 2nd road trip with the twins so I can't even begin to imagine what it's like taking 4 on the road.
I just caught your blog from a friend of a friend who can't imagine having more than one baby. I have 2 girls (3 and 14 months) and am expecting twins in a few weeks (yes, "4 Girls Under 4"). You're amazing to do all you do with such a great outlook. One trick to traveling I have found is DVD's. If you get a portable one and strap it to the back headrest they can see it. Baby Einstein's are amazing lifesavers for me!
And I'm nervous about driving 9-10 hours to Florida this summer with my 15 month old. She'll be about 18 months old then.
Bravo, Suz!
Love the post as usual! Glad you made it home all in one piece. Sounds like quite the adventure!
OK, I laughed out loud after seeing the picture of the twins holding the twins...both Ethan & Drew with their left shoe off - that is too funny!! :)
And the picture of your mom, you and Savannah is priceless (I love pictures of different generations!) You all looked beautiful!
I know it was worth every single tear drop seeing all your friends and family! Awesome pix!!
As always, you guys are doing a fabulous job!
Too funny...and how big does Ben look in these pics? When am I going to get the chance to photograph these kids of yours? And don't hate on my blog....you know you LOVE the Arkansas shirts. aTm/Hog battle is on yo! (But seriously, glad the test all went well, the trip went well and that yall feel brave enough to do it all over again!)
You have such an amazing attitude!! I love reading all your blogs, they make me laugh. I have one little girl who will be 1 next month and I couldn't imagine 4 of her at the same age! You guys are amazing!!!
I enjoy your blog and your babies are too cute! I love those stop signs on their carriers--I'm an NICU nurse and I even put one on my full term baby's carrier! Glad y'all survived the trip!
I only have one baby and he used to get like that on his 3 hour trips. We make them often, because my mom and dad live 3 hours away. I have to visit ATLEAST once a month.I'll tell you what helped me out. He is now in a convertible carseat. He still faces backwards, but he sits more upright and can see out the window. He also has a DVD player (it's a LIFESAVER!), I know that would probably be a little more difficult for you considering you have 4 babies! But, just a little advice on how I get through the road trips. (minus 3) LOL
Great post! Loved all the pictures!
My curiosity is peaked about the grocery items!!!
Hi there. I'm a fellow-Ag ('97) and have commented before on your blog. I enjoy following your blog as you're an inspiration to me and my husband (also an Ag).
I have a little girl who's almost 1and have to say that the fireman who inspected our infant carseat said to put the handle back (not straight up). Gosh I sound like such a know-it-all goob! I just wanted to be sure to tell you, as I saw all 4 handles were straight up in the first photos. Feel free to get in touch with me on my blog with a comment back on this (just in case you've heard something different).
I've got nothin' other than
Bless. Your. Hearts.
Sorry-that delightfully mom was me-I was playing around with another blog. Again-glad ya'll had fun!
How fun! I am so glad you had a great triP! The babies look so happy in all the pictures!! And glad you had a better ride home... I am sure you were dreading it!
When my son was 15 months old he screamed for two hours on the ride to my mom's. We still had an hour and a half to go, so we broke down and bought a DVD player that goes on the back of the seats of our van. It was a life saver! I had always insisted that I would never buy one of those but it has been wonderful for those long trips to grandma's!
Traveling with kids is a big adventure, no matter how old they are! :)
I have to tell you that I think my favorite pic (they're all great) out of all of these is the one where Drew and Ethan are missing the same shoe! if one of my twins had their left sock off, so did the other one. It's amazing how in sync twins are!
Glad you survived your trip. You can mark 'first road trip' off your list!
Love all the pics!
Hey Suz, Its Tara Harriss from Waco Christian. I just LOVE reading all of your blogs. Are you in Waco now? Well if you are I would love to come and see the kids. They are SOOOOO cute. I turned my sister-in-law on to your blog. She just had twins. She was wanting to know where you get all of savanna's hair bows. Well my e-mail is taraharriss@yahoo.com. I know you are REAL busy so if you don't get back to me I understand. TTYL!!!!
Tara Harriss
I found your blog through friends of mine from when we lived in Waco and went to your parent's church. I had to comment when I saw your Aunt Susan. I grew up in the church she and her family attended while they lived in Austin! I babysitted for her boys years ago. I just love her! They are really good friends with my mom and step-dad. Small world!
Oh, and you are soooo brave taking a trip that long with the quads! Kuddos to you and Joe!!!
PICTURES are here... YAH!!!!
I loved being able to love on Savannah. She is such a sweetheart. Your bundles of joys were wonderful and it was great to see you manage them with expertise. Thanks for sharing them with us southtexans.... We know it was hard on you both but we sure did enjoy them....
LOVE--- JoLee
I loved hearing all of the details and seeing all of these pictures!! For some reason, it made it even MORE real seeing them out and about with y'all and with your family. That pic of Ben is so adorable! I can hardly wait to see them this weekend!!!
Bless your heart with the crying... Those babies are getting so big! It has been so fun watching them grow - even though we don't know you guys. My youngest is 19 months and I already miss that 7 month old stage. They are so sweet!
You guys are awesome. I love how you always seem to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation, like at the gas station. You are truly an inspiration.
~erin
I didn't see the kitchen sink in the back of the burb, but the days of leaving the house empty handed are long behind you :)
I love the picture of the twins feeeding the twins. Both of your little guys have one shoe off. Cracked me up!!
Glad you had a safe trip!!
Hey there! I love reading your blog. I have two kiddos, a six week old girl and a 21month old boy. I have only had short trips. It sounds like it will be such a journey when we drive to VA. this summer from Mass!! Thanks for the beautiful pics, your kids are gorgeous.
I don't want to sound like a know it all, but I noticed that you had the handles up on your carseats. I am a OB and Pedi nurse, and also having kids of my own have had my seats installed in my car, I was told that you shouldn't leave the handles up, as if you were in a crash they could hurt the babies. Just thought I would let you know.
The pic of the quads loaded up in the suv for the trip is too cute. Even if it was an adventure, I'm glad y'all got out of town. You are doing a great job as a mom of quads....God has blessed you with a true gift. :)
Love the pix! I have a ? - is that a red handicap sign and if so is it for the babies?
I am Kimberly Halls cousin, from Uvalde and know most of your family... dont live there now but it is so good to see them in the pics my dad was the preacher at the cofc there for 5 years, Mark Hale. Feel free to check out my blog I am sure I will be writting a lot about Uvalde. nspayne.blogspot,com
Sounds like a great weekend even with all the crying....glad you guys made it back in one piece!! We are taking a road trip this Summer with 2 for the first time and I will remember not to complain ONE time!!!
They are getting so big and so sweet! i love ethans sweet smiles/laughter...
sav is gorgeous..well they all are, but I had to say that she is getting so cute
i can't believe you made that much of a trip with 4 babies...way to go. you are a hero mom! (and dad). I bet everyone lOVED seeing them. Great fun memories!
Sounds like you guys had a GREAT trip (minus the 2 3-hour crying trips).
I've yet to take a long car trip with one.
You guys never cease to amaze me.
handicap sign- YES. we qualified for one. quads+ RSV season+ savannah's medical problems. it is a temporary red one.
Sounds like a great trip. You are so brave!!!
I recently discoverd your blog and just have to say I am a huge fan! I love reading about your sweet babies! The are all so ADORABLE! You are one amazing mom, oh and Joe..you are an amazing dad too! Take care! :)
Tammy
Florida
Hooray for a successful trip! The crying in the car can be so hard to listen to....I can imagine the glazed looks on your faces on your first drive! Having a portable DVD player is what saves us now, although the longest we have driven is 3 hours. And the kids are getting SO big and the smiles kill me every time. So cute!
I am glad that aside from the initial drives, you had a wonderful time. YEAH! I bet it was just great for family to get to see those beautiful babies!
I know it's awful, but what worked for me on a 12 hour drive with my twins & the 7 other kids (hubby stayed home)a DVD player. Not for the older kids, but the babies. They were just 11 months old at the time, but I stuck in a Barney DVD on repeat and they watched it happily the entire drive. (I was insane from listening to barney, but, it worked!)
Im really not sure how I came across you blog. But I just love it!! Your doing a great job with your babies!
Thanks for answering my ?, Suz. If anyone needs one of those tags it's someone with 4 babies! I get overwhelmed with a baby and a three year old! :o)
Yay for a decent first trip!
Glad to hear you survived your first road trip! I thought it was hard taking the first road trip with my son and I only have one!! I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog. It's great reading!!
Andrea
congrats, supermom! your attitude is so priceless. i can look at your pictures and just see how positive and pleasant and how not stressed and unlike me you are! you totally make me count my blessings. i dread driving to florida this summer with my 1 baby!!
Love the pics! Also, I had to post regarding the car seat handles as well. Our car seat manual stated it was very dangerous to leave the handles in the carrying position while traveling in the car. Don't want to come across as preachy but I am a super freak when it comes to car seat safety. And of course I know you want the best for your kiddos. Gorgeous family.
We used to live in Uvalde and went to church with Mary Lou Gibson-such a sweet lady!
I remember our first road trip. With the twins and quads, it was to Disney World just before they turned 1. Yes, we had to be crazy!! But we survived. The first night in a hotel was a nightmare, they had never slept in the pack and play and they did not like it. After the 2nd night we got a little better at being away from home and by the end of our 2 week trip to Florida and then to DC they where pros at eating and sleeping in the car and in the pack and plays. I promise it does get better. Last year when we went to Disney World for Christmas, they were 3 1/2 and 7 1/2 they watched DVD's and the younger guys did fight some but once they went to sleep they sleep for the night and we just drove straight to Florida no stops. The kids are getting so big. You guys are doing such a great job!!
I didn't take the time to read what others said so hopefully I won't be repeating. I found with my kids that traveling for more than 2 hours without stopping was way too much. Everytime I stopped I took them out of their carseats and rearrainged carseats so that their "view" changed for the next leg. Granted mine were 4, 2, & 5 months on our 10 hour trip (which meant I had to remove their carseats and reinstall - at least yours should be able to just put a child in any of the carseats.)
Also once they face forward life is just easier - I think riding backwards puts more pressure on their little ears.
Glad you did get some pictures from your family because those are moments that should be captured .... well I really glad because that meant I could lurk and see them also :).
Post a Comment