7.4.10: Pointing at the park

Pointing has started in a big way. Fiona is the biggest pointer and loves to direct everybody, everywhere. In the morning, she gets upset if she doesn't get to greet the animals in all three mobiles. This came as a surprise to Kelly and Rob who were in town for an extended weekend. Thanks to Fiona, Rob got a very good tour of the neighborhood park.


Daphne wasn't very interested in sharing 'her' snack catcher with Fiona. Brant had to steal some cheerios from Daphne for Fiona. Mental note, need to bring more than one snack catcher to the park.


Who knew the teeter totter could hold five people?!? Fiona (pink), Stella (red) and I tested it out against Kelly and Daphne.

7.2.10: Virtual play date

(left to right: stella, daphne, fiona)

Today the girls had their first virtual play date via skype with one of their friends in Seattle, Alyssa. I discovered that I can fit all the girls in the computer chair and they are relatively stable. This is so much easier than trying to balance all three babies on my lap. We look forward to many more virtual play dates!

Last week we started transitioning to cow milk. We simple cut their bottles with more milk each day and today we had an entire day of cow milk. The biggest resistance comes with the temperature of the milk. The girls are used to warm formula and the milk comes cold. (Yes, I realize that I could heat it...but the reality is that eventually we would have to transition off of warm milk too. We decided to simply our lives and make all the transitions at one time.)

Thanks to all the money we are now saving by no longer purchasing formula, I have splurged and gotten a 'real' diaper bag. Up until now I have been using a very small messenger bag from college (let's not even discuss how old it is and therefore makes me). This diaper bag is amazing, made for a double stroller, holds everything, has a gazillion pockets and allows me to get out of the house faster. I no longer have to prioritize my supplies for the specific trip, I can always leave this bag fully loaded. Watch out world, we can now get from the house into the car in less than fifteen minutes.

7.1.10: Taking turns

Oy, it has been a tough week. Saturday Stella came down with some pretty awesome diaper rash. When I say pretty awesome, I really mean it. Remember we have three kids times one year of diaper rash experience under our belts. This was impressive, we are talking cry when sitting down kind of diaper rash. We squeezed in an adventure to our twin friends birthday party, but didn't last too long there. Later that evening Fiona came down with a decent fever and was cranky (with Stella) for a couple days. Around Monday, once we had both situations under control, Daphne came down with a fever of 103 so we took her into the doctor, just to make sure everything was ok. Then, as surely you have anticipated by now, Stella got the fever on Tuesday. The surprise however, is that Brant and I got it too. We have been in such rough shape as a family. Brant and I actually negotiate who gets to take the nyquil at night so that one of us is always alert in case the girls need something. We have taken turns going on walks separately so that the one who stays home can 'rest up' for the night time feeding. It has been rough, but we seem to be on the mend. The girls are getting better minus some cough and runny noses. Brant and I are a little slower to recover, but we are getting there. We have a 'fever-off' a couple times a day. Whoever has the lowest fever has to make dinner, or make the bed, or take the girls on the walk, etc. It keeps us laughing during a not so fun time.

One funny story during this un-fun time:
As you know, Daphne has a lot of energy. Recently around bedtime, Daphne gets really silly. Instead of whining and crankiness when she is tired she gets really silly. So silly she often falls over when walking and makes herself giggle. On Monday she woke up from her morning nap with a temperature of 103. We brought her into the doctor to get her checked out as she was super lethargic. While in the waiting room, she was SO sleepy. Then she noticed a mom and kid (10ish) sitting near us. She started to giggle at them. Loudly. The problem was they weren't doing anything funny. The people kept asking me what she was giggling at and I had nothing to tell them (there was a plain wall behind them, nothing interesting at all). I think they were kind of insulted that my baby was laughing at them...and of course she was staring straight at them laughing, which made me laugh.

6.24.10: Quadruplets

Ever wondered what it would be like to have quadruplets? Well my neighbor Heather came over with her son (~1 month older) for our weekly play date. When she tried to feed Fausto some banana, this is what happened.... Thankfully Fausto was nice enough to share his snack.

(left to right: Fausto, Heather, Stella, Daphne, Fiona)

6.23.10: Who needs three arms?

(stella peaking through the tunnel)

Today we went to the children's museum (trying to avoid the heat but still getting out of the house). It is really a great place for us as the girls can run freely and I can (almost) keep an eye on everyone. I usually try to meet my friend and her twins there. Somehow it feels more manageable knowing that someone else will be there just 'in case' you need another set of hands. Of course, the major challenge with meeting people from the multiples group is that every has multiples, meaning the kid:adult ratio is always off. Regardless, somehow 5:2 seems better than 3:1, especially if someone needs to be changed or falls a little too hard. As I was packing up to go, she took the below photo. The hardest part about the adventure is always loading and unloading the kids from the stroller which is outside a set of doors. Needless to say, I have learned to pick up/carry/put down everyone at the same time. This is my technique, it isn't pretty but it works. Who needs three arms, right?


(left to right: daphne, fiona, stella)

6.22.10: Ouch (times fifteen)

Today we had our 12 month appointment. Everyone is growing appropriately having almost all quadrupled in size since birth. Can you imagine growing four times your size in just one year? Just thinking about that is exhausting, let alone learning to eat, walk, talk, communicate, etc. As anticipated there were many vaccinations, 15 total. It made for a very tough day, but at least we are done for a while. Our next doctor appointment won't be for another six months. Our primary goals for the next six months are: eliminate bottles and binkies, start eating with utensils, and continued improvement walking and talking. I'm sure there are more, but those are enough for me for a while. Here is how the ladies stack up to other 12 month old babies (full term).

Fiona:
18lbs, 14oz (birth weight 4lbs, 13oz)
29" tall (birth length 18.75")
(weight 14%, length 45%)

Daphne:
20lbs, 7oz (birth weight 4lbs, 14oz)
30" tall (birth length 18")
(weight 40%, length 75%)

Stella:
18lbs, 11oz (birth weight 4lbs 9oz)
29" tall (birth length 17.25")
(weight 13%, length 45%)

I thought I would capture what a happens to our living room during a typical day. We put everything away each night in order to start the day fresh. This picture was taken ONE hour after the girls started playing. I have no idea how they get into everything in such a short time. I guess I will call them very efficient.

6.20.10: Daddy day

left to right: Brant/Stella, Fiona, Daphne

To celebrate Brant's second father's day (but first father's day with the girls at home), we went to the zoo. I forgot the sunscreen so we had impromptu shade via receiving blankets. We didn't stay too long, but learned that we will be returning in the near future. The zoo isn't as wonderful as some others we have been to, but it is a new place that we can adventure and meet some exciting animals. I think the girls are really going to enjoy the zoo when they are a little older. In the meantime, surely they will enjoy all of the crazy people.

6.19.10: Finger painting

While Brant was out for a coffee run, the girls created some father's day cards. Amazingly, the girls didn't get the paint all over themselves, just on their hands. Oddly enough, only the green paint stained Fiona's hands so I think Brant caught on to our secret project.


fiona painting in green


stella painting in purple


daphne painting in orange

We have been trying to go swimming at least once each weekend. We really want to take advantage of our pool and get the girls to enjoy swimming. Since Grandy was here, she was able to capture some pictures of the girls in action. Daphne and Stella were happy to be in the pool, but Fiona was a little less than excited. We take the girls into the pool one at a time and will probably do so until they are super comfortable in the floaters.


fiona just barely tolerating the turtle floater.


daphne so brave, she didn't even wimper the whole time (and I did, that water is COLD!)


stella was happiest when the floater was moving in the pool.

6.17.10: Bilingual?

(stella standing, daphne eating leaves, and fiona considering an attack on the stroller)

This picture is a great example of a typical trip to the park....playing defense. Who is most at risk? In this case, I had to jump in and prevent Daphne from eating the leaves - a favorite activity of hers. Notice the amazing new blanket that Keren and Nicole MADE for the girls birthday. I love how big it is and it rolls up in a very inventive way. Surely they will take orders, if you're interested.

Recently everyone has begun putting toys 'in' the toy box. The preference is still to take items 'out' but at least we understand 'in'. I am dreaming of a day where the girls put their own toys away into the toy box. Perhaps a far fetched dream, but a dream nonetheless. Fiona and Stella have learned to clap - primarily for themselves when doing something adorable (Daphne does it all day long).

While Brant was away, I noticed Daphne starting saying ABA all the time. The girls chatter throughout the day, on our walks and in bed when they are supposed to be napping. Most of the time you can't understand what they are saying. Well upon reading Keren's blog, I learned that Aba is Hebrew for daddy. Because of this, I have now declared my children (self taught) bilingual children. Yes, I am one of THOSE parents - reading into each mumble as much as possible.

6.14.10: Grandma swap

While Brant was in Holland there was a grandma swap occurring in Pasadena. Thankfully, the grandmas took turns covering the time he was away giving me some extra hands, which was wonderful. Oddly enough, their tickets overlapped so well that I was able to drop off Bonnie and pick up my mom all with only one trip around the airport WITH the girls. It couldn't have worked out better. I would also like to note that we were able to fit the girls, two adults, a large suitcase, and the double stroller all in our little Civic (no minivan in our future!).