Memorial Day Weekend 2008 Video

OK, so it took me a while to download and for some reason, the quality doesn't look that great on here (any suggestions?)...but you get the picture. It was loads of FUN!

At the end, I just had to throw in some video of our little Savannah, "The Professional Toy Snatcher". She is such a feisty little thang--always taking her brothers' toys and then turns around and gives you the biggest smile! SO funny...we were actually cheering on the boys! ENJOY and have wonderful weekends!

(oh yes, and the floaties were from Target!)

Fun in the Texas Sun

Wow! What a busy week! The quads and I left last Wednesday to go to Waco. I packed up the burb, top cargo storage, attached the hitch, stroller & cover, fed the babies, diapered, clothed, and loaded the quads one-by-one, grabbed Shiloh dog and hit the road..all by myself! IN THE TEXAS HEAT! The babies were perfect little angels--I truly believe that they LOVE their new carseats that were given to us by Joe's cousins: Pat & Sally! Thank you guys SOOOO much! Pat & Sally adopted two BEAUTIFUL baby girls from China and have such a neat story...go check them out on Sal's blog: tracypartyof4.blogspot.com.
In Waco, we visited Granna's school and Papa's bank, then headed to Austin on Friday--where we met up with Joe at Grandpa and Grandma Steece's house.

Quads with Dani... Sav, Ben (waving to the camera), Ethan, and Drew
Luvin' on Jess before we hit the pool for the first time!

Savannah with Uncle Ed...Eddy is coming to live with us this summer while he interns in Mansfield! We are SOOOO excited!

The gang in their cute little floaties! Ethan and Drew LOVED the pool...Sav & Ben had to warm up to it...but by the second day, had a blast! Lots of splashing going on...I am going to download some video footage...too cute for words!

Ethan just chillin' in his ride..."this is tha life"

Drew just giggled and smiled the whole time...check out that tooth!

Oh my gosh...so, we get this face a LOT from Ben! Cracks me UP! He cries/whines when we pick him up and he doesn't want to be picked up...he cries/whines when we put him to bed and he doesn't want to go to bed...he cries/whines when Savannah grabs his toys, and so on, and so on...Oh Ben...what in the world are we going to do with you, you cute little stinker???

Going for a beautiful Saturday morning stroll (or what we like to call a "sweat-fest" here in Texas) with Grandma and Grandpa (Drew, E, Ben, & Sav with Paul, Kate, Dan & Ed)

These are the new outfits that the quads will be wearing all summer...(YES! You guessed it...naked and loving it!) Sav, E, Drew, & Ben

Lots of loving from lots of friends---the quads ate up every second of it!

Love this pic of Big Ben

Why Yes, we DO have our hands full and we LOVE it! (Sav, Drew, E, & Ben)

Sweet little Savannah in her purple seahorse floatie...her legs never stopped kicking!

Me and my man...

I'm fighting a nasty cold/allergies/sinus infection, but I'm going to try to load some video soon...and we'll get back to answering those questions! Hope you guys all had wonderful weekends!!!!

The absurdity of packing with quads

So, as you can tell...I am doing my best to procrastinate when it involves packing...(2 blog posts in 3 hours? Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT get used to this!)

Just wanted you to see what I have been sorting through...this, my friends, is 6 days worth of baby food for my quads.



These are the "Gerber 2nd foods" in the bigger containers (2 to a package). I tried to put it in perspective with the couch and such...it takes up a good chunk of space on the living room floor! The red duffle is what they will be traveling in!


RIDICULOUS, right?!!

Barefoot Steece Quads

So, as I sat in church on Sunday with the quads (at North Davis church of Christ--that was one of my questions! Nice how I just plugged it in there, eh?)..I thought to myself...

I bet our kids are going to be known as the "Barefoot Steece Quads"

(kinda has a ring to it, huh?)...it is just not worth the cute shoes when they keep falling off! 8 shoes is a LOT of shoes to keep up with!



After church pics...just look at those little munchkins! Life is good.



HIDE AND GO SEEK WITH BENJAMIN.

I just thought these pics were hilarious. The quads are hardly EVER downstairs...and probably have no idea what our master bedroom looks like. (The entire upstairs is "Quadville") So, Ben was crying during the last nap and I decided to get him out to hang with mommy (which I very rarely ever do when they are supposed to be napping). I took him to our bed and stuck him in the middle of all of our pillows.

Laughing, I told Joe to go into our bedroom and this is what he saw:
Just one giant forehead sticking out from a sea of pillows...

as Joe got closer, Ben looked up at him like, "what are YOU looking at?"


and then of course, a BIG BEN SMILE!


BTW- we have TEEF! (as I like to call them) Drew was the first to wake up with a tooth several weeks ago. Just one, right in the middle bottom. I call him, my "one-tooth-wonder" (yes, I KNOW, I should have inserted a picture here...sorry, I'll get there...I'm supposed to be packing right now!) And Ethan has TWO TEEF on the bottom middle. They are so dern cute. But I must admit, I am going to miss those huge gummy smiles! Ben bless his heart, he is working on four that are trying to pop through the top all at the same time...and Savannah...well, they are about to break through as well! FUN TIMES IN THE STEECE HOUSE!!!! WOO HOO!!!(it really hasn't been that bad, YET...but I'm sure its-a-comin!)

Food? Showers?...Who needs 'em?

Do you have time to eat?

At the beginning, NO! The sweet volunteers who would come over were getting worried about me and my eating. I just didn't have time! When I tell you that by the time we would finish feeding the quads, we would only have about 30 minutes (if that) before it was time to feed them again. They were eating every 3 hours!!! We also had to diaper them and put them back to nap---so, I was VERY bad about making myself eat in the beginning!

That only lasted one or two months. It was hard NOT to eat when the church brought over amazing meals with tons of sides and deserts! They brought over food for us for months and months and months! Without their help, we probably would be 50 pounds lighter right now! haha

Now, I have healthy eating habits (for the most part). I am NO health nut! Just remember- everything in moderation. And exercise? Are you kidding me? NOPE--nothing--not yet! But I'll get into that in another question later...


Do you get a daily shower?

I COULD...NOW. At first, the longest I probably went without a shower is 4 days. I KNOW! When you bring home one month old quads--you are in SURVIVAL MODE. I did NOT need a shower to SURVIVE! I needed sleep! I didn't eat, b/c I would sleep for that 30 minutes! Sleep Sleep Sleep!

Yes, I COULD take a shower every day--but to be honest, it is more like every other day.


What is your favorite part of the day with the quaddies?

Gosh, this is a tough one...there are so many. I would have to say, early in the morning when I go to get them out of their cribs. (You parents know what I'm talking about) There is no better feeling in this world, than when your child sees your face, and instantly grins from ear to ear while letting out a little squeal of excitement! LOVE IT.

I also love reading time, when I sit them at the table and read them books. They get SO excited and are quiet--listening and hanging on every word I say! It is precious. They LOVE books!

I also love when I pick up a child who has been sleeping and they are all warm and cuddly...dead weight hanging in your arms...little cheek on your shoulder...sleepy eyes...tired grin....ahhhhh.....heart melting...

I will post pics soon...sorry! So much to do! More traveling on the open road! Oh, and the photographer couldn't make it today...but we are trying to reschedule soon!

Entering Suz's Blog World...

Why did you start blogging? What are your favorite blogs to read?

I began blogging after getting "hooked" on one of my best friend's blog: Lauren (I am not going to link any of these people, b/c the majority have invitation-only blogs). I thought it was a great way to keep up with friends and family...and I'm not a huge fan of talking on the phone. My original blog peeps (from when I first started, waaaay before I even got preggo) are: Lauren, Kim, Amanda W, Amanda N, Nicki, Corrie, Charla, Audrey, Page...and I'm sure there are more that I am leaving out...(SORRY GUYS!)

My new fav blogs to read are: my original peeps (above), plus the quad blogs: Murrays, McNultys, Goerlichs, Burketts, Gerwers, Harris Quads, etc. And the Quilao Triplets/Casey.
There are others, but these are the ones that I check when I have only seconds on the computer. I don't have a blog link list, b/c there are just TOO many and I don't want to leave anyone out or for anyone's feelings to get hurt.

First and foremost, my blog is a JOURNAL for ME! I love going back and reading my blog from day one. In no way did I EVER think people from all over the world would be following our lives! It is surreal.


How do you find time to blog?

Guys, many of you asked about stress relievers in my life? My blog is an outlet for me to vent/share praise/ask for prayers/voice concerns/share funny stories....otherwise, it would be me, stuck in a house by myself, with four 9 month old babies and no one to share stories with. It is comforting to know that people are laughing with me, hurting with me, praying with me, finding encouragement through our lives, etc. I LOVE it! And the babies are incredible nappers (at least in the mornings), so it gives me plenty of time to get on the computer throughout the day (you know--in between laundry loads, dish washing cycles, bottle making, food preparation, etc) haha!


What do you think about all the attention you get from random strangers on your blog? It is flattering or does it freak you out a bit?

Like I said, I NEVER intended for my blog to be anything more than a boring journal about my life. Getting pregnant with quads is a phenomenon that I guess lots of people are interested in reading about. It was actually the best thing that ever happened to us, because within days/weeks/months, there were tons of people around the world, praying (and sending positive thoughts) for us and our quad babies. It is so worth it b/c of the prayer connection. I believe in prayer with all of my heart.

I also love getting in touch with other families of multiples out there who find us through my blog. I know that Jen and Gen were God-sends for me while I was terrified and pregnant. I will do whatever I can to help others in my situation.

Yes, there is the occasional rude comment, but I just shake it off. I have to keep reminding myself of the wonderful families I have come to know and love through the internet. If I were to make my blog private (which I have contemplated many times), I might lose out on the opportunity to help someone else out. Apparently, God is using our family to minister to others (which BLOWS my mind-very humbling)...so, my blog is an outlet for God to work through me to touch the lives of others.


Would it totally freak you out for a "stranger" who "knows" you through your blog to approach you when you are out and about with the quads? Has anyone ever recognized you in public because of your blog?

If one of you guys EVER saw us out in public, YOU HAD BETTER COME SAY HI!!! It's great because we will have plenty to talk about! haha. In many ways, it is neat and flattering to say the least, that there are people I have never met who consider me a "friend"....so, I offer the same in return!

It was funny, b/c right after I had the quads, my parents were eating at Rudy's in Waco (woo hoo...great BBQ) and a sweet young lady walked up to their table and said, "I apologize for interrupting your meal, but I was wondering if you have a daughter who just gave birth to quadruplets?" (how crazy is that?! and by crazy, I of course mean awesome!) The woman recognized my mom from my blog pictures and was actually from Arkansas in town for a relative's graduation at Baylor? or something like that. (hey, anonymous lady in Rudy's, if you still read, give me a shout out!) I thought that was hilarious!

Other than that, I have never personally just randomly bumped into a total "stranger" who reads my blog. Now, it was funny when Joe was at a Texas A&M basketball game in College Station and random people he barely knew in college (whom I have never met or heard of) were coming up to him and saying, "Joe! Where are the kids? Suz let you out of the house? I saw that they had a good report at the doctor last week! Way to go!" (like old best friends who knew everything about our lives!) sooo funny! good times. We are tremendously blessed and I consider it an honor that you guys keep coming back to read about our crazy, love-filled, lives. (awwwww....tear)


Is the professional photographer coming back to take pics of the babies?

YES! Tuesday and I'm so excited I could pee my pants! (ok, a little graphic, but you get the idea!) Ruth Williams is AMAZING! We have been trying to get together for a while, but sickness and her pregnancy (she is like 38 weeks!) have postponed our plans for a bit. I am beside-myself ecstatic! Can't wait!

Fav Place to Shop...

Where do you shop? Where can I find cute skirts? Where did you get that orange top (dress)? Where did you get those wedge shoes you are wearing in the pic of you and Joe going out for your Birthday Dinner?



My FAVORITE place to shop is a boutique called: Francescas
It is the one place I will splurge at from time to time...that is where I bought the orange dress/shoes/the majority of my jewelry, etc.

Almost my entire wardrobe is from Target. YES TARGET! Guys, they have CUTE, cheap, clothes AND jewelry! So, you can buy trendy stuff that doesn't cost much at all. I have no shame that I shop at Target.

I also have a new appreciation for Old Navy, YES OLD NAVY! Once again, cute, cheap, trendy clothes. No shame in Old Navy!

Most Asked Questions...

Where do you get Savannah's bows?

JULIE KULAS, a fellow blog buddy whom I have NEVER met, randomly emailed me and asked if she could send me a box of bows that her daughter had outgrown. HOW SWEET IS THAT?! Here is a link for Savannah's specific bows that Julie sent me:
http://www.mysassybows.com/store/Default.asp
I told the owner that you guys were coming, so make sure and tell her Suz sent you over! ;)

Other cute bow website:
http://www.bloomingbows.com/


Where did Joe get your Mother's Day bracelets with the childrens' names?

At another "bow website": http://www.dramaqueenbows.com/boutique/

****DAWN, the owner of Drama Queen Bows said to tell her that "Suz sent you" when you order and she will throw in a FREE GIFT! How sweet is that?!****


Pull out those wallets and get to some shoppin! Hee hee...This is all I have time to post right now, I will try to answer some questions in length tonight!

Questions for the "Quad Father"

WOW! I am absolutely BLOWN AWAY at the number of questions! You guys are seriously...cracking me up beyond words! This is insane! Some of them I laugh out loud when reading, others I really enjoy and get excited about responding! I have already started writing them all down on paper--trying to go through and figure out how I am going to answer them. I will take a few and answer them every day/couple of days...

Cyndi and Chris, you guys gave me a great idea! OK- now its your turn to ask JOE, the quad-father, everything you want to know about raising quads/pregnancy/him/me/marriage/anything! (once again WITHIN REASON AND GOOD TASTE)...get Joe's take on this crazy thing we call life!

I've been begging him to do a post for FOREVER now! I just think he is so funny! I told him about my idea and he loved it, so once again, ASK AWAY! We will take turns answering our questions!

Q & A with the Quad Mom

First of all, you guys are totally cracking me up with all of your comments from my last post! It seems that I keep getting asked the same questions over and over, so....its about time for me to do a question and answer blog! Yippee!

Feel free to ask me your questions (WITHIN REASON & GOOD TASTE), and I will devote an entire blog to answering them!

Please be respectful--this is a family friendly blog! I am only answering questions that are WITHIN REASON & GOOD TASTE--oh yah, and you must leave your name!

So, ask away my blogger friends! ;)

The Best Birthday and Mother's Day!

Oh my gosh. This has been such an awesome weekend! Saturday night, my parents sat the quads so Joe and I could meet some great friends out for my "Birthday Dinner". We went to Joe T. Garcia's in downtown Fort Worth. There is no other food in the WORLD, better than MEXICAN FOOD! Salsa runs through my veins! ;)



Joe T's was the first place I went after excruciating bedrest and quad delivery--I had been dying for some Mexican food and it was close to the hospital where the quads were in the NICU! This pic was two days after I had been discharged from the hospital (August 2007)! Ha! Suz is a tad-bit swollen! ;) But I was luvin it! So good to be out in the real world again! So, being there again brought back many memories!


Here we have: Liz (a forever friend whom I have come to love within the past 9 months!), Me, Christy (met Christy and her husband Adam through some great friends in Houston and have come to LOVE them as our own!), and Ashley (sis-in-law whom I LOVE as my own blood--so blessed to have her in my life!)...lots of love going around! ha! ;)


The men: Collin (my bro--LOVE him so much!), Adam (Christy's hubby), Joe (Suz's hubby), and Chris (Liz's hubby).


God has blessed me RICHLY by putting Liz in my life. Within the first 5 minutes that I had met Liz, she had gotten down on the floor, picked up two of my preemies in her arms, and bounced one in her lap! I knew this girl was INCREDIBLE! We have so much in common and I have grown to love her as a sister. The fact that my quads are so blessed to have her in their lives, is just icing on the cake! Liz loves my babies as if they were her own and I can't tell you how much that means to me!


It was SO good to get out with friends! Thanks MOM & DAD for watching the kiddos!

(Warning--this is going to be gushy gushy love stuff...but I can't help it! I want to remember what I'm feeling at this moment!)

Mother's Day 2007...17 weeks preggo with quaddies

So, I have to say...experiencing Mother's Day for the very first time in my life as a new mom--was the most incredible feeling!!! Obviously, we had prayed for babies for a VERY long time...and today while sitting in church, holding my babies, I couldn't help but tear up like 5 times! I would look down the row and see my parents and Joe holding a baby and just well up with emotion--it is so incredibly humbling and I just can't get over how amazing God's love is...

Started off the morning with a good cry when I received these from my husband. I am SO proud to wear my babies on my wrist! Very similar to when we had the NICU bracelets on!


Beautiful day outside after church...Mother Hen with her chicklings...Benjamin Stephen, Savannah Leigh, Ethan Joseph, and Andrew Paul Steece


MY momma with her little baby girl...(you're never too old to be your momma's baby girl!)


Also, this is something very neat! My mother-in-law and I both have May birthdays, right around Mother's Day. TODAY is Kate's birthday--on Mother's Day! So special...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and MOTHER'S DAY! WE LOVE YOU!
The babies can't wait to come play in Austin with you in a couple of weeks! (I love this pic of Kate with Baby Ben)


Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful, strong mommas out there!!!! Love You All! (like I said, super gushy lovey dovey today!)

28 Years to Sing Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to ME! WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
This is the only "baby" picture (not really a baby, I know) I have of me saved on my computer...my parents have the rest...gotta love that pout! I don't know WHERE Savannah gets it from! hahaha


Funny how birthday perspectives have changed now that I am a mother...we have always been big "Birthday People" in my family! We like to go all out and make that person feel extremely special! I am that annoying girl singing "Happy Birthday" to myself at midnight on May 8th! But this year, I didn't even realize my birthday was coming up so fast until my Aunt Susan mentioned it! (I wonder why???)

It has changed somewhat--(Joe might tell you differently--ha!) But, it is very humbling for me. NOW, on this day, I think about my mother...and what SHE went through 28 years ago to deliver me (3 weeks early at 5 pounds around midnight). I think about what SHE was experiencing, how HER labor was going, what SHE was thinking and feeling as SHE brought her second child and only baby girl into this world. I appreciate her so much and very fitting that it is close to Mother's Day as well!

Happy Birthday to ME, but more importantly: WAY TO GO MOM!!! I love you & respect you more than ever! ;)

Morning Cup 'O Quads

Here's some random video I took of each baby this morning...they are just growing up too fast!

Ben showing off his rockin and rollin' skills


Ethan has been rockin and rollin' too, but gets a little camera shy :)


Sweet Drew--I just melt every time he smiles at me!


Savannah is serious when it comes to her toys!


Please pardon the morning breakfast beautifully displayed on the bibs!

Drew



Ethan



Ben



Sav



Drew captivated by the bubbily fishies...I wish I had his posture!


Ethan was grunting at me and giving me this face as he watched me feeding his bro and sis...eagerly waiting his turn.