BUSY little Bees...and MANY THANKS!

Joe and I have been busy little bees this weekend, putting some MAJOR gifts together! We must thank some wonderful people who are very special to us.

First of all, an anonymous family from church GENEROUSLY donated an activity table to our family! They had heard we were needing one and stepped in to help. Amazing. You know who you are and we just cannot THANK YOU enough! The incredible generosity of the human spirit continues to amaze us every single day. We are blessed beyond words to have such loving people around us. May God bless you and your family.

Once we figured out where we were going to put the table, Joe assembled it in no time. As of now, we have been able to keep everything "quad-related" upstairs which has worked out great. We are constantly re-organizing and moving things around to fit the kiddos needs as they grow.

They looked so cute at their table! LOVED it! Joe and I kept giggling at their tiny little fat legs under the table (if there is such a description)...adorable! Drew, Ethan, Savannah, Ben



I am SOOOOO excited about this table. I cannot tell you how much it is going to help! These activity tables are PERFECT for multiples! Thanks again, big-hearted anonymous family! ;) We appreciate you more than you know.



On to our other project this weekend...as we, mothers of multiples, like to call this stroller:
"THE BEAST"

IT. IS. PHENOMENAL.



Once again, the generosity of the human spirit is overwhelming. Joe and I had been trying to decide if we could afford a Runabout Quad Stroller, and low and behold, several people came through to help us in a BIG way! A HUUUUUGE thanks goes out to the following families:
Bench fam, McDonalds, Hansards, Hursh fam, Armstrongs, Owens, Spelmans, Jennings, Doug, Lynn, Masseys, Wolfes, Harris fam, and the Budas!

You guys are AMAZING and we couldn't thank you enough for this fabulous stroller!



I am so serious when I tell you that this bad boy is incredible! I just took a friendly jog around the neighborhood and it is so freakishly easy to maneuver! Much easier than our double strollers (as crazy as that sounds) and just as long! Don't get me wrong, our double strollers are great when there are two people...but now I can take the kiddos out all by myself and I am SOOOO excited!



As you can see by Ben's face...he is excited TOO! We thank you so much and can't wait for you to get to love on these little ones! Not tooooo much longer! ;)

March Madness

This post is supposed to be like 10 separate posts, but I combined them all into ONE! Whew! Haven't had much time to blog lately, and don't know what my time will be like in the future, so...decided to throw it all in today! Here are some of my favorite pictures from March.

When Joe-the-Aggie is away, Granna and Papa will play. My parents dressed the quads in their alma mater, courtesy of Joann and Don Hall! (Thank you so much! The outfits are PRECIOUS!) Ben, Drew, Savannah, Ethan (gosh, when I don't label these pics right away, it is SOOOO difficult to tell the twins apart!)

However, when I asked the quads if they wanted to be Wildcats instead of Aggies, this is how they responded: (Drew, apparently, is thinking about it)

Man....Savannah can SCREAM!!! ;)


Play time= organized chaos! (Just Kidding, we focus a LOT on sitting with each child individually and reading books and playing one-on-one) Yes, friends are still coming over to help out Monday through Friday. They arrive at 1:00p and leave after the 6:00p feed. It is definitely doable by myself, however, I LOVE the amount of individualized attention each child gets. Sometimes I feel bad when it is just me, trying to make sure each child gets love and individual attention. There is just not enough of ME! So, that is the MAIN reason I still have people coming over...my friends (used to be "volunteers", but are now definitely FRIENDS!) love on these babies like they are their own! What a blessing! (not to mention all the laundry, bottles, cleaning, feeding, playing, and everything else they help with while they are here!)

Ahh yesss....the babies' 1st Easter Pics...didn't go so hot! ;)
These were the best that I could salvage!
Savannah and Drew, smiling and holding hands....love it!

Drew was all smiles! Savannah, Ethan, and Ben. Yes, I know Ethan and Ben do not have shoes on...it wasn't worth the fight! ;)


Savannah was WORN out after her appointment yesterday with the kidney specialist. How cute is this pic??? Kickin shoes...

Quick update on Sav:

sav has two very specific DIFFERENT diagnoses:

1) kidney reflux...which they will usually just watch and treat with antibiotics every day until 5 years of age, hoping she will outgrow, but if she continues to have bladder/kidney infection after infection...they would go ahead with surgery...which is a relatively easy procedure

2) UPJ obstruction causing severe hydronephrosus (her kidneys do NOT LOOK NORMAL AT ALL! they are HUUUUUGE with large knot-looking things all over them and bulging with fluid)...they usually catch this in utero, but since there were four babies smashed in my uterus, dr. pinto said that he was not surprised that it was not detected. this is a GENETIC condition--the boys have a 60% chance of having it. dr. pinto likes to run two renal scans before opting for surgery. she does not have any kidney damage (woo hoo) and her kidneys are draining...just VERRRRY slowly. (so it is not a COMPLETE block! woo hoo) her renal scan was WAAAAY delayed more than normal. she is still SO little and since she was a preemie and is quite young...he's hoping that maybe it will get better by june...if not, surgery will be imminent. usually 2 to 3 days in the hospital and 6 weeks recovery. it is a pretty rough surgical procedure on her kidneys with a scar on her back.

the two surgeries are separate procedures and cannot be performed on the same day b/c they are working on the upper ureter and lower ureter...the middle part would die! yikes.

all in all: good things...but everyone knows that i am not the most patient person in the world. if something is wrong with my baby, i want it FIXED! but, for now, we will wait until june when she gets her second scan. (which JOE will experience while i stay home with the other three!) oh yes...and we will be doing LOTS and LOTS of praying!!! ;)

thanks for your continued prayers! she is all smiles and giggles! you would never know.

Here are some pics from this morning:

A HUUUUUUUGE thanks to Stacey Derrick for this adorable little tutu. It is just TUTU CUUUUUTE!!!!




Don't worry folks...YOU TU, can get your very own tutu for your little girl if you visit Stacey's website: http://sararosetutus.blogspot.com/
AND, she is JUST this sweet: Stacey said that if you mention that you came over from Suz's blog, you will get 10% off your purchase!!! How cool is that!? Please go check out her stuff...she is so talented!



Here are more pics from this morning:
Ethan (he looks funny to me in this pic...maybe its his hair...but sweet nonetheless)


Drew...all smiles!


Sweet Ben


No teeth yet, but we are working on them...SHEESH! and I mean...SHEEEEEEEEESH! It is so sad to see/hear all four of them crying and there is very little you can do! Any pointers would be appreciated! Especially you, Gen and Jen...how did you do it?!?!

Easter Walk with Quads

It was so BEAUTIFUL this weekend that Joe and I got the quads out for a nice little stroll around the neighborhood. We've been walking them a lot lately which has been so refreshing for ALL OF US--going a little stir crazy! And yes, little Shiloh always gets to come as well!



Granted...the video isn't all that exciting, and you can't really even see the cute little fellas...but, the reason I posted was because of the awesome dialogue! Listen to my neighbor when she finds out we have quads...cracks me up. This is what we hear, all the time, anywhere we go. (But I LOVE it!) Those of you with multiples (especially quads) can relate! Ha! ;)




The babies were so exhausted that they passed out along the way. We left them in the strollers while we changed their bed sheets (****Which by the way, they are all out of their wedges! WOO HOO!!****)
I just thought this was a funny pic, asleep in their cute little sun hats!

The History of Joe & Suz

Thank you SO MUCH for the sweet messages and prayers for Savannah! We will know more a week from today and I'll keep you posted! As for me, I'm doing much better. I like to "stress bake" and from last Thursday (Sav's test) to Sunday, I had baked over 72 cupcakes...complete with frosting and all different types of sprinkles! I should have taken a picture...And NO, I don't really eat them, but try to give them away to anyone who will take them! (I know, I have issues) ;) ...but feeling SUPER!

Okay, this should have been posted forever ago...I had been working on it since around our anniversary, so I HAD to go ahead and finish it! (not the best quality of pics...I had to use my scanner)

Joe and I met in the summer of 2001. I was home from school (Harding University in Arkansas) and was visiting friends at Texas A&M. While I was there, I met THIS guy through some friends...it was really one of those "you just know" type of moments (I KNOW, GAG me!). This was our first date & first pic...June 2001.

We totally hit it off that summer, but I had JUST gotten out of a 3 year college relationship and did not want to be "that girl" jumping right back into a relationship...especially since we would be dating long distance from Texas to Arkansas. (Our first New Years Eve together 2001)


However, that fall, while at school...it just clicked. I knew without a doubt that he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Our relationship was actually perfect for us, b/c I was in my senior year of nursing school and didn't have time to go out and spend TONS of time with a boyfriend...and Joe got to play around and go out with his boys all the time during his last school year. We learned so much about each other and how to communicate b/c that is all we could do living 10 hours away from each other!


After 6 months of dating, we knew we wanted to get married. Christmas 2001

After 9 months, we were engaged. (This was our engagement night...Joe had candles and rose petals everywhere. No one else was there, so we were trying to put my camera on automatic timer and bend down so our heads wouldn't be cut off...DORKS)...SO GIDDY!


Back home from school. Summer 2002


Engagement picture day...no, this wasn't the one we picked...but it would have depicted us well! Summer 2002



Going back to Arkansas after being engaged was SUPER hard. August 2002


New Years Eve 2002


The BIG day! March 1, 2003 (Miller Chapel, Baylor University, Waco, TX)...I didn't even LIVE in the same town as Joe, until we were married!

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww


Jason PELTING Joe in the face with rose petals...LOVE this pic!


Ahhhh....Puerto Vallarta...aka Heaven. See, I USED to be tan!


And there you have it! I married my BEST friend in the whole world. I am SO glad to be riding this wonderful roller-coaster of LIFE with Joe by my side...He makes me laugh every single day and has the biggest heart of any one I know. (I could go on and on and on and on...but you get the picture. Enough already! ;)

Rough Week

Sorry, it was a rough week. I will copy and paste from an email I sent out last Friday.
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needless to say...yesterday was a VERY, V E R Y rough day for us. it was.....difficult.

one of the worst parts is when they tried the IVs...i have never heard her scream like that. the first stick didn't take, so she had to be stuck twice (took a while for the nurse to find the vein both times).
then, the catheter was horrible. savannah is tiny and there is blockage, so it is difficult to "thread" the catheter...finally after much pushing and pushing, the catheter was in...but sav was so torn up, she was bleeding and swollen. and gasping for air b/c she had been crying so hard. and this was all the preliminary stuff! not even the test!

i kept tearing up and was trying to push the tears back. i felt like i could lose it at any time. it wasn't the nurse's fault...it happens. i just kept trying to hold it together. i felt so sorry for the little miss.

she was so worn out that i tried to feed her a little, but she passed out in my arms for about 30 minutes (mind you, she had been awake since 6:00am and it was now 11:30am--the test was at noon)...waiting for the big nuclear scan. finally it was time and we strapped savannah down on her back. i was able to sit right beside her. she couldn't move for 1 whole hour. she did okay for the first 15 minutes, then she began to cry....couldn't be consoled whatsoever....her cry turned into a yell....then a scream....and she continued to scream for the next 45 minutes. she was screaming so hard that she was choking on formula that had refluxed back up her throat...i was trying to suction her nose and mouth, but it wasn't helping much. she WAS getting air, so we couldn't stop the test. i felt HORRIBLE. she kept looking right into my eyes. i had tears streaming down my face. i felt so guilty. but tried to keep pushing the tears back.

finally the test was over (the longest hour of my life) and it took forever for her to settle down. she was exhausted. i got her to take a little more formula and then loaded her up to drive home. my mom and i barely spoke for the 30 minute drive home. i told her that when i get home, i can't talk to anyone and would go straight back to my room. lip quivering the whole time. we walked into the house, all the volunteers wanted to know how it went...as my eyes start to water, i KNOW i'm about to lose it....i unbuckle sav and see her puffy eyes (she can barely see out of them, her face was so swollen) i lift her limp body up, hand her to my mom, walk back to our bedroom and bust out the "ugly cry" for a while. i pretty much passed out in my bed after that. it felt good to get that out!

sav got a bath, wanted to play for a little bit, and then slept the rest of the day. i am amazed at the resilience of babies!

got the test results back. not good. she pretty much failed all parts of it. The reflux is worse on her left....but there is definitely an obstruction on the right. almost a complete obstruction. her kidneys are HUGE/ backed up with fluid. dr. pinto is out of town this week until monday. my pedi told me that he will more than likely want to get savannah in to proceed more quickly than we had anticipated. oh, and all three boys will definitely undergo renal sonograms as well. sav is doing well. you would have no idea she is in pain. she doesn't have much of an appetite, but other than that..she is all smiles and giggles.

so, thank you dear friends for all of your prayers and positive thoughts and kind words! we appreciate you more than ever! keep them coming! we are going to need it. i need strength to be able to look into my screaming baby's eyes without losing it. you parents know that is the hardest thing and it is really wearing on me. (and i used to think that i was a super strong woman! nothing phased me! especially medical stuff!)

anywhoo...thank God babies bounce back quickly and will not remember this. (and don't worry, i know all the logical things behind all of this...just need help with the emotional part...it has been one thing after another for the girl and i feel so sorry for her!)

My Sweet Baby Girlies

Savannah had a bladder infection about a month ago. Because of her young age, she needed to be tested for any structural problems. A little over a week ago, Savannah had a renal ultrasound and a VCUG. I knew something was wrong based upon the questioning and facial expressions, but the technician knew I was a RN and said, "as a nurse, you know I can't tell you..." (*That, my friends, is when it is frustrating to be a nurse...I have had to give the exact same "poker face" to patients...I can recognize it anywhere!* ARGH!) I had to wait for them to fax the results to my pediatrician, then wait for her to call me...5 or 6 hours!




Sweet sister has hydronephrosis, a possible UPJ obstruction and Vesicoureteral Reflux...or kidney reflux.

Kidney reflux is graded according to its severity:

Grade I results in urine reflux into the ureter only.
Grade II results in urine reflux into the ureter and the renal pelvis, without distention (hydronephrosis).
Grade III results in urine reflux into the ureter and the renal pelvis, causing mild hydronephrosis.
Grade IV results in moderate hydronephrosis.
Grade V results in severe hydronephrosis and twisting of the ureter.

Savannah has a Grade II in her right ureter, and a Grade IV-V in her left ureter. I have been told that she WILL have to have surgery soon. They are not sure how much damage has already been done to her kidneys. She is currently taking an antibiotic every day to prevent another bladder/kidney infection. (Which is pretty tough on her tummy) Before we meet with the specialist (on March 26th), he wanted her to have a Renal Scan with Lasix Wash Out. So he will know exactly what he is working with and how we should proceed. Any blockage or structural deformity would mean an additional surgical procedure. SOUNDS HORRIBLE! This test involves nuclear medicine flowing through her veins! Savannah will NOT be sedated. Mom, on the other hand, is going to need a sedative!

So, tomorrow morning (Thursday) at 8:30am, I'll be taking the little princess to the hospital for this test. We will be there for a good part of the day. I'm dreading it. It was VERY hard for me to watch her endure the ultrasound and VCUG. VERY HARD. (and I'd like to think that I'm a pretty tough gal) When your little baby girl is screaming and being held down and she looks at you with those big brown eyes like, "mommy...why are you doing this to me?" IT KILLS ME. Thank goodness my mom is here (Spring Break) and will be going with me!



We won't know anything until March 26th, when we meet with our specialist Dr. Pinto. Oh, and this is a fun tid bit:

"Undetermined genetic risk factors may affect the development of VUR. About 34% of patients who have the condition have siblings who are also affected. Siblings of patients with VUR are routinely tested for the condition, even when symptoms are not present."

So, we are going to have to get the boys tested as well! NEATO! I will keep you updated, but please keep us (especially little Sav) in your prayers!

As far as my first born girl child goes, she is doing well. Several of you have asked about Shiloh baby girl dog. She just ALWAYS wants to be right in the middle of things! I know it must be hard for her...but she is doing great with the babies. This is so funny, one day recently, after I had put all the babies down for a nap...I walk back into the room to find Shiloh like this...



Poor thing...just constantly surrounded by baby stuff! EVERYWHERE! ALL THE TIME!


And Big Ben, trying to ride her like a horse...pretty soon she won't WANT to be around with four little toddlers chasing her and pulling her ears! Ha!



But, have no fear...she still gets PLENTY of good luvin'! When the babies go down for the night at 7pm, she spends the rest of the night laying on my lap!


Casper the friendly GHOST and Shiloh, trying to catch some much needed sun!

Anniversary Weekend

WOW! I am very behind on things I need to post! Here are pics from our anniversary weekend. Thursday night before we left, my brother and Ashley were kind enough to come over and watch the kiddos while we went to the Bob Schneider concert in Dallas. (THANKS SO MUCH!!)

Bob is one of our favorite musicians and it was such a neat show! It was a very intimate setting inside a YOGA STUDIO of all places! We had to take off our shoes.
Me and Bob...this pic is for Dr. Tabor! ;) A fellow Bob FANatic.



We went with Adam, Adam, and Katie! FUN TIMES! We really appreciate the times we are able to get out and hang with our friends!

Friday, we left the wee ones with the sweet ladies from church (who ROCK!) and headed to Austin. Yes I miss my babies when we leave, but Joe and I really try to focus on having fun with each other and connecting with friends when we are away! I have complete confidence in the church friends who come over to help and in our families...so, it really takes the worrying out of the equation. (That, plus the fact that I am laid back to begin with! It helps!)
Lake Travis (Austin)...on the balcony.

We went out to eat Friday night at the Iguana (on the lake)...it is one of our favorite restaurants! Jason and Molly joined us!



Saturday: Joe set me up with a 90 minute deep tissue massage (HEAVEN! I had needed one since my body endured a quad pregnancy and all the wonderful things that happened to it!) Joe played golf with 3 of his buddies...then we (plus Dan, Dani, Jason, Molly, and Clayton) met at the Steece's house (while they were here watching our kiddos---MUCHOS GRACIAS!) and grilled out/got in the pool-hot tub/watched aggie b-ball which was disappointing and hung out all afternoon. It was great! Saturday night we got all dressed up and went to a fancy schmancy restaurant, Eddie V's, and had a nice anniversary din din. They found out we had quads and needless to say, dessert and coffee drinks were on the house! SO NICE! (yah, can't believe I didn't take ANY pics!...just caught up in the moment....awwwww!)

Sunday was Joe's b-day, we ate a little brunch and hit the road...couldn't wait to get back to love on those fat cheeks! So it was a wonderful weekend, that was only possible with the help of friends and family--whom we could not live without! THANKS A HEAP!

I am working on a post, all about JOE! Complete with pics while we were dating and some of my wedding favs! Also working on Savannah updates and answers to your questions--please don't think I'm ignoring you!!

Where Did My Infants Go?

What a fun competition to name my blog! You guys were incredible! Well, by overwhelming majority, the winners are:

Daddio & Tiffany Norris with:

"Steece's Pieces"

and

Bree Leonard with:

"Prayed for ONE, Blessed with FOUR" (yae Bree!)

I just got the biggest kick out of reading all of the suggestions! Some made me go "awww", others made me tear up, and the majority made me laugh out loud! You guys are so creative! Thanks again for playing!

Joe and I had a great weekend for our 5 year anniversary at the Lakeway Inn Spa & Resort (where we spent our wedding night!)
I'm trying to load up more pics, but it won't let me...I think I've exceeded my picture upload quota for this post! Oh well, I'll have to do a separate one later...

I know it has been a while, and you guys for SURE don't check this blog to see how Mom and Dad are doing-ha! ;) So, I thought it was time for some new pics! I snapped these up this morning! I also want to remember things they are doing at this age, so I'm jotting down some notes...

Ethan (left) and Andrew (right)

"Don't hate us cause you are jealous of our sexy bowed legs and pigeon toes"



Sweet Drew with LOOONG eyelashes!
Drew is my baby who is full of energy! He LOVES to jump in the jumperoo. However, he has the worst reflux and spits up ALL the time. (which doesn't really go well with jumping!) He LOVES looking at lights and ceilings and fans...you get the picture. He's not a big cuddle-bug, but you can catch him in his moments--especially when he is sick-and it melts my heart! Any goofy face or noise or dancing will make him laugh and giggle nonstop. He also loves when you play with his hands and feet (like making him clap)...just giggles and giggles...Oh, and he is an eating machine! It is uncanny...We actually have to slow him down and take the bottle out or he will be finished in 2 minutes. No lie!
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Ethan, doesn't really like posing for cameras...he acts like he's nervous around them, so it is very hard to capture his sweet smile
Ethan is such a sweetheart. I think he is by far the most laid back and easy going. He rarely cries and always has this beautiful smile on his face that melts my heart every time. He is so observant and aware of what is going on all around him. When he gets in his jumperoo, he is very serious and has a look of concentration on his face. He LOOOOVES kisses on his cheek and neck (although he hardly EVER gets those...yeah right!) Like Drew, he will giggle and giggle when you play with his hands and feet! And the twins LOOOOVE being thrown high up into the air! Drew & Ethan can pop out that bottom lip at a moments notice and it is the funniest thing! I can't help but laugh!
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Little Princess and her signature pink bow

Savannah, over the past couple of weeks has been so smiley and happy and all giggles! It is so adorable. Poor thing has had her fair share of problems (pavlic harness, reflux, bladder infections), but she never lets it get her down. She amazes me. She has the tiniest little feet that step from side to side when she is in her jumperoo. She chuckles from deep down in her belly and I LOVE it! She LOVES to look at books, and checks out every single detail on any item I give her. She is so gentle and will softly put her hand on your hand/face/arm when you are feeding her, changing her diaper, or holding her. When I sing to her, she will start cooing back to me in a soft little tone...gets me every time! Oh, and she has a VERY LOUD CRY! ;)
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Oh, Ben...such a character
Ben, where do I even start with you? I already had Ben figured out when he was in my womb! He is exactly the same...I can't really explain it well. Ben is a charmer and is laid back--WHEN HE WANTS TO BE! TALK ABOUT A LOUD CRY! SHEESH! He is very strong and already stands with little help. His legs are so strong because he goes CRAZY in his jumperoo...sometimes I think he is going to jump through the ceiling! He is very aggressive with his toys and loves to pull/tug/throw/jerk/squeeze anything he can get his hands on. He has taught his brothers and sister to SCREAM/SQUEAL at the top of their lungs for whatever: when happy, bored, sad, upset, wanting attention, etc. It is so funny. He is SUCH a cuddle-bug and LOVES attention.



I've been thinking about when these rugrats start crawling and walking (gulp) and getting into trouble! Here is how I suspect it will go down:

Ben will be the one to come up with an idea that will get him in trouble...
Ethan will be the one to plan out exactly how it will go down...
Drew will be the hench man who physically carries out the plan...
and Savannah (hopefully) will be the one to come tell mommy what the boys are up to!

Every day is an adventure with these rascals and I love them more and more!