It's What I Love About Sundays

I have always been a believer in God.  In fact, without my faith, I'm not sure that I would have made it through some of the things that I have faced in my life.  But, it wasn't until this past year that I openly confessed my belief in Jesus as my savior, and on March 3rd I was baptized at Lebanon Christian Church. 
Sundays have become one of my favorite days of the week since I started going to church in Lebanon.  Not only do I get the chance to worship, but it has led to a tradition that I often dreamed of having as a child.  Almost every Sunday after church, we head over to my dad's for lunch.  The kids are able to play with my younger sisters and brother, and I am able to spend that time with that part of my family that I had been missing out on.
I am so grateful for a church that has welcomed us with open arms.  They never seem overwhelmed when I bring all 4 two year olds into the nursery (Today was there first day in the 2's room, by the way)...they always just smile and start to love on them right away.  Even more, I am thankful for the family that I get to spend these special Sundays with.  These are the days I want my children to cherish as much as I do.

This picture of Lilya and John reminds me of my Uncle Kevin and I.  We didn't have much more of an age difference, and I looked up to him so much (still do).  I know that these two are going to be such great friends through their lives...she already loves him so much!

Had to include this picture.  I love these girls so much.  They are such good aunts to my kiddos when we come over on Sundays.  I remember how bad I wanted a baby when I found out that my dad and Margaret were expecting twins.  I also remember how that feeling faded the first time I kept all three of these girls ;).  I am so glad that He is in control, and now 10 years later, we are surrounded by beautiful! 

Fun on the Farm

One of the biggest challenges I have experienced as the mother of 5, is how to give my kiddos the experiences that they need and deserve.  This is a challeng for a couple of different reasons.  The first, and probably the least of the two, is the energy it takes to get 5 ready, pack supplies, load into the car, load stroller or wagon, unload, have fun, load back up, unload again when we get home.  Just getting them in and out of the van is quite a chore.  But, the biggest reason for this challenge is the cost.  If you have gone to the movies, the zoo, any sporting event, etc. lately, you know what I'm talking about.  We are not quite at a movie viewing age yet, but I'm already dreading it.  With 5 kids and 2 adults, a trip to the movies will surely cost us over $100.  I'm sure that we will be seeing a lot of the free matines that are offered. ;)
With all of that in mind, I'm thankful for days like today when we can get out of the house and have fun for under $20.  We spent a little while this morning at High Hopes Farm.  It was a beautiful day, and although I had to pull our 100 lb wagon up the drive, it was wide open enough that they could get out and run and play.  They were able to feed some animals (they didn't like that the goats were trying to eat their clothes.), take a wagon ride, play, check out what the garden looked like, and just enjoy the outdoors on a beautiful day.  I'm so thankful to know the Wood family, and am glad that they opened up their farm for this event today.

The wagon migh look like a cool way to travel, and if I got to ride in one of the cars, I might think so too.  Problem is, it's
HEAVY!  Pulling it in the grass is not fun either.  Glad they could get out and run!

Harrison loved the horse, but still a little unsure about petting.



The boys are off to visit with the horse.

Our little horse whisperer.

Xavier and Lilya checking out the donkey.

They loved watching the farm animals.  The baby goats, Grant and Abraham Lincoln, were a hit!

Love that Anne could bring her niece and nephew too!  This is the best that I could get with all 7 kiddos checking out the goats.

Oscar loved watching the horse eat!

I think we're going to have to buy one of these for our swingset.



Xavier and Lilya playing on the teeter totter

1st Birthday Party

It was about this time of  night a year ago that things started changing.  The day was as normal as any that I had spent in the hospital.  An ultrasound showed that all four babies were doing great, all growing at a good rate.  I felt like I could keep going for at least 3 more weeks!  I was so excited that my friends, Anne and Sarah, had come for a visit, but as soon as they left, it started.  I was having back to back contractions, and was in a lot of pain.  Medicine was not making it any better.  And then, the dreaded Magnesium...I HATED that medicine.  I knew it was for the best, but never have I felt like my body was so on fire.  By morning, it was decided, by my doctors, that it was time.  So, May 14th, 2011, Oscar, Benjamin, Jaylyn and Harrison came into the world at 9:41, 9:42, 9:42 and 9:43.
I can't believe that these little babies, who spent the first few weeks of their lives with tubes, wires, alarms and sensors in their own little incubators, have grown so quickly and will turn 1 tomorrow.

We celebrated yesterday with a Dr. Seuss themed party at the Mulberry park...

I don't think Benjamin was feeling the best, so he wasn't really into his cake.
The other three LOVED it!

Oscar about to take another bite!

Benjamin is looking for someone to save him from the table.

Harrison kept getting so excited!

Jaylyn was the most fun to watch!  Look how intense she looks. 
She did more smearing than eating, but it was still entertaining.

So glad that our feeding grandmas could make it.
Elaine, Nancy, Vickie, Barb (pictured), Marlene, Betty and Bonnie
have been wonderful!

So many cute gifts!  Here they are in their new patio chairs from
our friends, the Ades'.

Don't Jaylyn and Harrison look cool in their new hats and shades from
Aunt Amy and Brianne!

Our wonderful friend, Brenda Thomas, made these adorable
smash cakes for the babies.

We are so thankful for all of our family and friends who came out to celebrate.  We are blessed beyond words!

Call us CRAZY!!!!



Lulu and Lilya

I was on Christmas Break in 2010 when I took our miniature daschound to the vet because she was breathing funny.  The vet sent us to Purdue to have what he thought was a hernia fixed.  At the time, we were about 16 weeks pregnant with the quads, so when they came out and told me that it wasn't a hernia, and the surgery to fix what would save her life was going to be $4000, maybe I shouldn't have paid for it (or gotten the carecredit card to cover it).  I just HAD to.  She was my baby.  She was only 6 years old, but I had her before I had any of my children, and she was like the oldest child.  I'm surprised that the worrying I did over those next few days didn't end up putting me in the hospital.  She was in the ICU at Purdue for 3 days, and still had a chest tube when we brought her home on Christmas Eve.  I was sure that we had just paid and arm and a leg for a surgery that was going to fail to save her life, but she pulled through.  She was much better, and back to her old self for about 3 months.  Then, we noticed she was beginning to look pregnant.  Since she was not able to have puppies, we knew right away that something else was wrong with her.  By this time, I was being admitted to the hospital so they could keep a closer watch on the contractions I was having, so Tony was in charge of taking care of Lulu (the dog) and Lilya.  When it got to the point that she could no longer get up and down stairs by herself, he took her back in to the vet.  Draining some of the fluid, he was 99% sure that she had lymphoma.  It was then, that we made the very hard decision that we didn't want her to suffer.  The day before we brought home Benjamin, Jaylyn and Harrison, we put Lulu to rest.  It is still hard to think about as I wanted so badly for there to be something that we could do for her.  I swore that I would never get another dog, I would never go through the heartache of losing again...

Well, meet our new puppy!  Skippy Jon Jones-Stewart (aka-Skippy) is a full blooded Chihuahua...the runt of the litter.  The kids are absolutely in LOVE with him.  The parents...well, we are second guessing ourselves already ;).  Crazy how much having a puppy is like having a baby, and I'm thinking maybe this would have been easier if we would have taken all 4 from the litter!

Benjamin loving on Skippy

Lilya loving on her new best friend.


Go ahead, call us crazy!

60+ Degrees on the Last Day of January...We'll Take It!

Not very often does it get above 60 degrees on the last day of January here in Indiana.  Even less often does the Super Bowl and all of it's festivities come to Indianapolis (In fact, this is the first year).  So, of course on this beautiful day, we chose to go check out the atmosphere of all of the Super Bowl hype in downtown Indy.
We were so happy to meet up with one of our favorite NICU nurses, and walk around for the afternoon.  I'm sure that you could guess with so many people in the area, we heard many, MANY comments on the quads.  The usual, "Oh, you have your hands full!",  "Wow, she has FOUR babies.", "You are so blessed.", and the not so usual, "Wow, I've never seen a four banger!", "And, I'm never having kids (random guy).", "You want one more (offering their own kid)."
Most of the time, I tried to smile and keep walking...no eye contact is the key.  Check out the memories we made.

The Quads with the Colts Super Fan!  We still love the Colts!

Welcome to the circle!

Posing on the circle.

The stadium.

Jaylyn stayed awake the entire time, and took it all in.

Harrison liked taking in all of the people.

Lilya was so good the whole time we were downtown.

Benjamin was our only fussy one...think he might have been a little hungry. (looks like I starve him, huh?)



Such a happy boy.  Laughing at me during a feeding stop.

I am so glad that we were able to get out and enjoy the day.  I wish the little ones were old enough to really take it all in and enjoy the events, but at least they will have a few pictures to remember it.

It's Christmas Time

Wow, I have not been as good at this blog thing as I'd like to be.  I can't believe that Halloween was the last time I posted.  I have so many posts saved (Things I'm Thankful For), but never posted.  I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to writing, and tend to read them over and over again, and not post.  So, here it goes, one that I'm going to post without reading and trying to fix it first.

I took the kiddos to see Santa last night.  Again, so thankful for Anne.  She met us there, and helped things go as smoothly as possible.  Thankfully, even at 7 months, the babies seemed to be ok with him.  Benjamin and Harrison sat on his lap while I held Jaylyn and Oscar.  Lilya stood next to his chair...very careful not to get too close.  I knew the lady that was taking the pictures, so she offered to take individuals of the kids with him.  It will be so nice to have them, and by the time each baby took a turn, Lilya had warmed up and took a turn of her own.  She told Santa that she wanted a baby doll and a rattle for her sister, Jaylyn.  So sweet of her to think of her babies.  I can't wait to post the pictures that were taken.  Until then, here are a few pictures of them in their Christmas outfits that I have taken.  Hope you enjoy!


Benjamin's first look at the lights.

Jaylyn looking so cute wrapped in lights.

Harrison is pretty curious.

Big Sister, Lilya, is quite the ham.

Love Oscar's bright eyes!





These could be the cutest little elves ever!





Benjamin, Harrison, Oscar, Jaylyn and Lilya

Trick or Treat

I love Halloween!  For Lilya's first Halloween (she was only 6 weeks old), we dressed her as a ladybug and stayed home to pass out candy.  This year, for the quads first Halloween, we decided to venture out.  The events started on Friday night with Trunk or Treat at Blue Ridge Elementary.  The kids were a huge hit with everyone, and the comments cracked me up as always. 
Stranger 1: Wow, are those 4 twins?
Me:  Wouldn't that be 8 babies? (in my head, not out loud)
Stranger 2:  Wow, you have triplets?
Me:  Oh no!  Did I leave a baby at home? (in my head again)

We made the Fox 59 news again with this picture!

We decided to rest up on Saturday and Sunday, and did the regular trick or treat thing on Monday.  We stayed in Mulberry, and pretty much just walked up the highway and then back with the exception of a detour to go by Uncle Rob's.  I think people must have given Lilya enough candy for all five kids...she came home with a ton!  What a great night!  I hope everyone got to enjoy it as much as we did.

Busy Beginning to October

Harrison enjoying the swing

We couldn't ask for more beautiful weather to begin the month of October.  We have been keeping so busy.  Lilya is still loving pre-school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and I have enjoyed getting to go to Suncrest to work with some of their kiddos.  We have been able to play outside some, and yesterday we walked the babies up to the bank, post office, phone company (to visit Daddy), Pizza King (for a drink), and finally to the park.  Lilya was such a trooper...she has to walk so that I can push the babies in the stroller.  After playing for a short amount of time at the park, she decided she was tired, and wanted to go home.  She started to whine about how her legs were hurting, so I just put her on my shoulders and carried her (yes, I still had to push the stroller) home.  She kept telling me, "We're almost there, Mommy.  You can do it."  She must have been able to hear me panting.  I was exhausted by the time we got home, so it was nice that it was "church dinner" night.  The Trinity Church members have been taking turns making us dinner on Wednesdays to give the Methodist Women a break.  It is amazing how our community has surrounded us with so much love and support.

Benjamin back in the ER

I wish that I could say that we've just been out and enjoying the nice fall weather, but we have sickies again.  Everyone, including myself, have had a cold...Benjamin ended up the worst again.  Monday, we saw the doctor who sent us across the street to the ER.  We ended up spending 3 hrs there getting steroid shots and breathing treatments before they let us go home.  Wednesday, it was back to the doctor for a recheck.  His chest sounded much better, but he still sounds pretty wheezy, so she decided it would be best to send him to Indy for a swallow study.  This is to rule out that he might be aspirating while he eats.  We will be headed down next Tuesday for the test.  Today, First Steps is coming out to evaluate the babies.  They are a service that offer therapy for developmentally delayed children.  I don't imagine that they will qualify because they are all progressing so well, but we wanted to make sure that they get anything they need.  Tomorrow, Lilya goes for her 3 year check up.  She's going to have to get a flu shot, so it should be a really fun trip (can you sense the sarcasm there?).

Saturday is going to make up for it all.  I won 4 tickets to see Max and Ruby at the Murat Theater, so Lilya and I and Amy and Ellie are going to have a girls trip to Indy.  The girls are so excited...so are the moms!  I can't wait to write about our trip, and how much fun the girls had.  I hope we all stay well enough, so I have the time.

Wedding Weekend!

Wow, what a great weekend!  We survived our first weekend getaway.  My brother, T.J., got married, and I was in the wedding.  We had enough time to make plans to take helpers with us, so on Friday afternoon, Anne and I loaded up the car and headed to Indy.  As always, we were the center of attention from the time that we popped the hatch to the back of the van.  It looked like we were moving in instead of staying two nights.  Bags of diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, cereal, boppy pillows, boppy seats, clothes, toiletries...we loaded up two carts full of things.  Luckily, we had enough family that had already arrived at the hotel to help us carry everyone in at once.
I had just enough time to get us checked in and settled in the room before I had to leave to go to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  I know I say it a lot, but I don't think I could ever say it enough...I have the most wonderful friends and family ever.  Anne, Jayme and Missy took care of the kiddos all Friday evening while I followed the routine of being a part of the bridal party.  Anne said it was as if our room had a revolving door.  Everyone wanted to come and see the babies.  What wonderful friends to not only take care of all of my little ones, but also to put up with all of the visitors while I was out!
I was up and out again by 8 a.m. on Saturday morning with barely enough time to give the kiddos a kiss before I had to be down to have my hair done.  Once my hair and make-up were on, and I was dressed and ready to go, I made one last trip up to see everyone before heading to the church.  Lilya was so cute when I walked into the room.  She said, "Mommy, you look beautiful!"  It made me feel so good.
It was an extremely busy day...pictures, actual wedding (was gorgeous), pictures, more pictures, reception.  It was great to see so many people that love T.J. and Angela, and were there to celebrate their love for eachother.  The girls met us at the church with the babies and Lilya, and stayed in the nursery during the ceremony.  They brought them up for pictures, and headed back to the hotel.  For the reception, they were able to walk them over to the ball room, and take a little break themselves while family and friends took over with holding and loving on them.  Lilya was able to go and dance too!  My favorite moment was seeing my little brother, John, spin her while they were dancing together.  Since feeding time was at 10:30, we got everyone loaded back into the stroller, and Anne headed back to the hotel room with all 5 kids.  We hadn't really thought about the fact that it was 10:30 on a Saturday night, downtown Indy and Anne would be pushing a stroller with 4 babies while trying to coax Lilya to keep up.  I guess if you ever want to feel famous, all you need to do is take our quads for a walk downtown Indy on a Saturday night.  Anne said that people were snapping pictures, gathering around her, and one guy even stopped traffic so that she could cross the street!  They made it back just in time to feed again, and Lilya was so exhausted from all of the dancing that she fell sound asleep.  I'm sure Anne was thankful.  She was on her own for the night, and as always, I didn't have to worry about a thing...she took very good care of them.

Yesterday, we had to load up and head to T.J.'s to watch them open gifts.  We had to make a couple of pit stops on the way.  Lilya had to have a chicken nugget happy meal, and we had run out of formula, water, rice cereal and baby wipes (wow, I can't believe how much we use in just 2 days), so we had to stop at Target too.  The babies were great at T.J.'s, mostly sleeping the entire time we were there.  Lilya had fun playing with Judy too!

It was a weekend that I will never forget, and I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life to share events like that with.  I could never express enough how grateful I am for the help that I had so that I was able to relax and enjoy the weekend!  I have to admit though, I missed feeding my little ones.  I have not minded one feeding (even at 3:00 a.m.) since we got home yesterday.  Back to reality, and I wouldn't want anything less!

Oh Yes, I Did...

Some might call me crazy, and others might...well, everyone I know just called me crazy.  Yesterday, I packed up all 5 kiddos and the big quad stroller and headed to the mall.  It was Tony's brother, Matthew's, birthday, and I had not had a chance to get him a present.  I didn't want to show up for his birthday dinner without one and had noone to watch the kids, so we experienced our first shopping trip.  We were working with a bit of a time crunch.  I left the house at 11:30 and had to be home for the 2 o'clock feeding.  I have gotten pretty quick at loading and unloading, so I thought I would have plenty of time to look for a gift.  I forgot to take into account that I wouldn't be able to walk 10 feet without being questioned about the babies.  Luckily, Lilya was an angel, and walked beside the stroller the entire time.  This meant our only interuptions were other curious shoppers.  My favorite question that I was asked yesterday was, "Oh, you didn't bring them all by yourself did you?"  It was nice to prove to myself that I could do it.  I can get out and do things that I used to do without thinking twice.  Now, I just have to make sure I schedule plenty of conversation time in.
We were able to buy a birthday present, and made it home in time to feed at 2.  We packed back up at 7 and went to dinner at Tony's mom's.  It was a long evening.  The babies were all fussy, and I was really tired from our shopping trip.   We did manage to eat dinner, sing Happy Birthday, watch the opening of gifts, and eat cake.  Fussy or not, we like a good party...especially when there is good cake involved.  We can't wait to party and celebrate my brother, T.J. and Angela's wedding this weekend!

Stroller=Freedom...sort of

We were so thankful when my brother told us that he was going to get us this stroller as a baby gift.  Singleton strollers are expensive, so you can imagine what it was going to cost us for one that would carry four!
Anyway, it's finally here, and put together.  We took our first ride, and the kiddos seemed to love it.  We are lucky enough to live in a small town, so we only got stopped twice to talk about the fact that we were pushing around four little ones.  The only other problem that I could foresee was the fact that it only seats 4, and we have 5 children that are under 3, but for the first outing, Lilya was visiting with friends.  Yesterday, we took our second walk, and Daddy pulled Lilya in the wagon while I pushed the stroller.  Luckily, that was good enough for her. 
It is so nice to feel like I can get out of the house with all of them.  Now, if only I could find a way to push this gigantic stroller and pull a wagon at the same time.  Then, I might be able to escape my house with all five of my kiddos!