Its Party Time!

I have been SUPER busy this week, getting things ready for Ashley's baby shower and Joe's Big 30th Birthday Party! (old man)

I've got a cake in the oven right now---



---trying out the new Wilton Giant Cupcake Pan that my Mom gave me! How fun is that? Many of you already know, but I just LOVE to bake! It is such a stress reliever for me. I also like watching people enjoy the goodies I make! Makes me happy...warm and fuzzy...

Wouldn't this Giant Cupcake pan be perfect for those Quad Birthdays where every child wants their own special cake? The recipe that came with the pan was a wee bit labor intensive--but we'll see how it turns out! Its smellin' pretty good! ;)

Gotta get back to my baking: cupcakes...mini-cheesecakes...Kellogs K-bars! You folks have a great day and remember that tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!! YIPPEEEEE!

Pics of My Little People

Here are some more pics from the last week.

Little Priss trying to walk with her braces for the first time. Savannah has learned the word "smile" and will now smile on command. So cheesy...love it!



Everyone outta her way!!! (Notice my little escape artist, Drew, trying to get out through the front door? Nice. He's always checking doors upstairs--waiting for Mommy or Daddy to slip up.)




Poor little Sav does NOT like her braces and gets SUPER frustrated with them...heart breaking. It doesn't help that her shoes have to be about 2 sizes too big to fit over the braces. But as of yesterday--she is getting more adjusted to them.




Happy again.





I could NOT get Ben to smile for the life of me...




...so I started tickling the heck out of him!








Sweet little Ethan---such a kind, quiet little dude.




Sav pinning down Drew and tickling him






Benny watchin the cars go by




"I want to be out THERE!"




Can't get enough of E's sweet smile!

Watch Out ZOO!!! Here We Come!!!

Yesterday--as I was watching my kids stare longingly at the outside world from our living room window...I was talking to my good friend, Gen.



The McNulty quads were going to the zoo that day...and I thought, "MAN! That's IT! I want to go to the zoo too!" So right then and there, I decided that the Steece quads would be making a little impromptu trip to the Fort Worth Zoo that very day as well! We were itching to get outside and DO something!

These pictures are so funny to me---b/c they show the blue beast sitting in front of various animals, while the quads are completely oblivious!

Ethan (green), Drew (blue), Ben (Red), and Savannah



It was exciting to see Savannah pointing and making animal noises as we approached the different attractions in the zoo. We are learning about all of these animals right now and it was so cool for the kiddies to get to see them in person and not just in books or videos! (MANY of the park animals were not on display--guess its not "zoo season" just yet)



Beautiful bald eagle



Ethan was really excited to see the horses...Poor lil horse had pink eye and was wearing a shield...Oh boy, we can sympathize with you, buddy! (Hmmm...Mama's gotta look into 4 of those eye shields!)



Ben was THRILLED to be taking a picture in front of the "Hill Country of Texas" section of the zoo.



So, we quickly stopped for some water and snacks---animal crackers! How fitting!



Here is a nice little kitty cat salivating at four deliciously plump kiddies...yummm...(again, the kids are oblivious lol!) Savannah was actually pointing at him and saying "Meeeeooowww"...I had to chuckle. "Yes, Sav...that is a BIG cat...(who would like to EAT you!)"



One last trip around to the elephants again and we were on our way!


Ahhhhhh....it felt SOOOO good to get out with the kids again! SO GOOD! Thanks for the awesome idea, Genny Gen!

Savi's New Shoes!...(and Braces)

Taa-Daahh!


Savannah and I took a trip into Fort Worth today to pick up her ankle braces. Again, my kids are fearful to be anywhere but home--so here she is, sitting in the waiting room, with this look on her face like "Mom, you had BETTER NOT leave me here!" (I have about 5 pictures of her in the waiting room with the same look on her face...cracks me up)



I tried to make her laugh and even placed my sunglasses on her face---she didn't move an inch! Didn't even crack one smile!...but Mommy sure was having a good time with it! (snicker, snicker)



I picked out the cute pink color, and heart strap...thought it fit her well!



Sav has to wear shoes with her braces when they are on (which will only be for a couple of hours each day--to help her feel more comfortable and sturdy while walking)...so, on our way home we had to stop at Babies 'R Us and pick up some cute tennis shoes that would be able to accompany her braces.



This should be interesting! I'll keep you updated on her progress!

Can You Feel the Burn?

uh...YES!

Here lately, I have been completely lethargic...feeling blah...lots of headaches...gaining a couple of LB's here and there...(I might need to look into my new Yaz Rx, Sarah! Thanks for sharing) You see, at the first of the year, I went through our budget and was able to cut several things out and lower bills, etc.---One of these budget cuts was Suz's membership to the gym. (not a smart move!)

So, I'm trying to get back on track! And I'd love to tell you that I am self-disciplined enough to run around our neighborhood or lift weights at home...ya, not so much. I NEED that group environment--those group classes with an instructor cheering me on! I really push myself to the limits in those situations.

Yesterday I un-froze my membership account and what better way to celebrate than to attend my very first SPIN CLASS, after months of inactivity!


This picture is an example of what a Spin class looks like...notice the looks of absolute exhaustion! It was pure GREATNESS! I loved it! Quickest 60 minutes of a workout I have ever experienced.

I'm excited about the Zumba class as well! Dancing AND getting an intense workout? Where do I sign up??? I'll have to let you know how it goes! What are some of YOUR favorite workouts/classes?

Thank you SO much for all the comments yesterday. I want you to know that I (and many others) went through every single word written and prayed specific prayers of healing, peace, praise, and strength for every person mentioned and will make a trip back to that post every week to pray over you guys.

I Want to Hear from YOU!

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

On "Tuesday's Tribute: Its NOT All About You" (For specifics about Tuesday's Tribute, you can click on the picture and follow the link)...I want to hear from YOU GUYS!

I know that many of you are struggling or know of someone in need of hugs, warm
thoughts, prayers, etc.

Many of you are raising money for various
charities and causes.

Many of you have had wonderful things happen to
you recently...or would LOVE to share how God has worked in your life.

We are all going through SO many different walks of life...

I want to hear from YOU! Leave a comment and tell me (and Blogworld) how we can support YOU, pray for YOU, laugh with YOU, give praise with YOU, learn more about YOU!...you get the idea!

HUGS and Happy Tuesday!

My Date with Drew

My little sunshine, Drew, and I had a fun date today while Daddy loved on Ben, Sav, and Ethan! I'm trying to spend more one-on-one time with the kids and just LOVE going on little dates with each of them. Drew and I spent the morning with two of our most favorite people in the world: Uncle Collin and Aunt Ashley (Baby Carter, soon to make his appearance--our first cousin!!! The quads are SO excited!)



Collin introduced us to Rock Band (the game)---he's been trying to get me to come over there and play for EVER! The game has been SO hyped-up...but, it was actually pretty fun. Drew and I rocked away on the drums and became pros in no time! It was so cute--he was sitting in my lap holding the drum sticks while I held his little hands and hit the drums...



Little dude had the BIGGEST grin on his face! He loved every second of it! We were having so much fun that we forgot to take any pictures--just enjoying the moment.



Precious little guy! I have realized, lately, that it is going to be quite an interesting transition when we get these tykes out into the public again. At home, they are the most happy, smiling, laughing, outgoing, fun-loving little kiddies you could ever imagine (--give or take a few Ben-tantrums, etc--)...but recently I have noticed some pretty severe anxiety when we go places: the park, my brother's house, etc. They are NOT used to being anywhere but our house (or the grandparents). Poor little guys! This morning, it took Drew a LONG time to get comfortable in a new place (immediately crying, scared, apprehensive)...the quads act completely different in public! I know that this is normal for kids at this age...but I believe a LOT of it has to do with the fact that they have been in RSV quarantine for SO long...and all they see is this house or our neighborhood. Sometimes I feel like my almost-2-year-olds (ok, I know--its a stretch) haven't even really experienced true life or the "real world", ya know? Any of you guys feel me? (Geesh, Didn't really mean to go on a rant there...just find it interesting and been thinking about it lately)

But thank God that children are resilient!!! Come on APRIL!!! WOO HOOOOOO! Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your lovies! We sure did!

Hugs and Kisses!

Fun at the Playground

It was such a beautiful day yesterday so Joe and I took the quads to our little neighborhood park before it got dark. (Savannah, Andrew, Ethan, Benjamin)




They loved the swings...Ben



Drew



Ethan



Savannah



It just made me realize even more, how excited we are to be nearing the end of RSV season!!! These poor kiddies are itchin' to get out and experience the world!

Happy Friday!!!

18 Month Pedi Well Checks

Today was our big trip to the Pediatrician for the quads' 1.5 yr check ups and immunizations. FUN FUN!


You may ask yourself: What exactly takes place during a well check appointment for the Steece quads? Well...I'd be more than happy to fill you in...

Four babies need to be stripped down to diapers and socks. One-by-one each child is weighed, has height calculated, head circumference calculated, temperature taken, and respirations counted...repeat 3 more times. (All the while, making sure the other three kids aren't getting into trouble while mom is busy helping the nurse)



Then we wait for the Pediatrician to come in and examine each child, one at a time...which can take a while, so we pull out books and snacks--whatever will keep them content and quiet while waiting. (Sue with Ethan, Tempe with Drew, Ben examining Drew's shoe)



Once the doc comes in, she examines the ears, nose, throat, eyes, head, lung sounds, heart sounds, neck, lymph nodes, abdomen, genitals, hips and asks various questions about what the child is currently able to do. (Repeat this process three more times...while keeping the other 3 happy and out of Mom's way as she is assisting the Pedi)


Once all four children have been examined by the Pediatrician, we wait for the nurse to come back into the room with the immunizations for each child. One-by-one, they are hauled back upon the table to receive their injections. Cry cry cry...SWITCH! We trade children: Mom helps the nurse hold the kids down for their shots, while others are frantically trying to dress the wiggling babies that have already received their immunizations. Crying...chaos...children are shuffled back out to the burb and strapped into carseats while Mom packs up all of her items, pays for the visit, schedules the next appointments, etc.

Whew...tired just thinking about it? While I could definitely manage this trip alone, it is SOOOO nice when others are happy to come along! Thanks Sue, Tempe, and Joe! (Our Pedi is located right by Joe's office, so it takes him no time to drop in and lend a hand during his lunch break!)

Quick stats from this visit:

Andrew
23 lb 2 oz
31 3/4"

Ethan
22 lb 12 oz
32 1/4"

Benjamin
24 lb
32"

Savannah
20 lb 11 oz
30 3/4"

In other news, Liz and her twin girls are doing great! You can check her blog for more updates & pics! Happy Monday! ;)