Because Walgreens Is Never Lacking In Entertainment Value with Quads

We thought we could kick this nasty virus once and for all, but the boys were up coughing most of the night and Isaac woke up complaining about his ear hurting. So we paid our favorite doctor, Dr. Kersteff (Brooks refers to him affectionately as  Dr. Curse, which Isaac likes to correct him and says “No Buddy, it’s Ker-STEFF!”) and Nurse Kim a visit this morning.  The boys LOVED going to the doctor today and put on a comedy act while they were there.  They really are growing up sooooo quickly.

I’m so glad we had them looked at because the boys have some serious deep wheezing going on that we weren’t aware of…

So now they are all on steroid treatments to boost their lungs. Can you imagine what our house is going to be like with four 3 year olds on ‘roid rage? Yeah, me neither.

We decided to take all the boys in to get their meds at Walgreens.  I don’t think they’ve all been in a drug store at the same time before – such deprived little dudes.

We embraced the reactions, one liners, and comments for the pure entertainment of taking 4 curious, energetic, noisy BOYS into Walgreens. (Although we got quite the chuckle from another customer who just HAD to call someone on her cell phone one aisle over and tell them all about these 4 boys in the store who all look exactly alike. “No, I aint kiddin’ you. They were right next to me.” And the guy who asked if they were “Cooplets” was pretty priceless too.)

We even thought about buying one of these to add to the commotion, but we refrained. 

After waiting for our meds, and practicing the “One Finger Touch Rule” over and over and OVER, and of course taking a bathroom pit stop, we were on our way.

Just another ordinary adventure in our not so ordinary lives with “Cooplets”.

The Length a Quadruplet Brother Goes To Get Some One On One Attention

You might have caught that Isaac spent the wee hours of the morning in the ER with his daddy.  Apparently, he was in desperate need of some one on one time. So much for a plain ole boring fever. 

Shortly after we tucked him into to bed for the night he woke up in a panic, gasping for air.  It was obvious that his airway was constricted, and so we immediately administered a breathing treatment (only the 2nd one he’s ever had one in his life) and he asked to return to bed.  Not an hour passed, before he awoke again, even more upset and having an even more difficult time breathing.  Although he wasn’t coughing much, he had the classic seal bark and his airway sounded textbook strider.  He calmed down with in the steamy bathroom, but we didn’t feel comfortable putting him back to bed. 

Brad took the little dude to the ER while mama stayed back with the other three sickies. Just look at the poor little pitiful dude:

 

They were seen in a flash and had awesome care at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.  Can’t say enough about that special facility.  So thankful to have great care so close.

After getting his fever down some and getting a steroid treatment he was feeling more like the little Isaac we all know and love:

Hopefully we’ll ALL be on the mend soon. 

We are soooo grateful for your prayers not only for our little sickies, but for keeping Brad’s family in your thoughts and prayers as well. 

How To Get Your Kids to Stay In Bed : Tips From a Quad Mom and Her Readers

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again.

WE ARE SO STINKIN’ BLESSED WITH OUR FAMILY OF READERS!

I came to you discouraged, exhausted, and in tears and you came to the rescue.

Seriously, if you’re having any trouble with bedtime at your house, there’s some brainy, creative, and insightful ideas in the comment section of “Give Me a Magic Solution for Bedtime” post.

 

Here’s just a sampling of the ideas shared that might just work for your bedtime routine:

“We could give him 3 pennies for his nightstand and tell him he had to give us one each time he got up. Whatever he had leftover the next morning went into his piggybank.” – Heather

“We did a sticker chart for a while and if they got a sticker in the morning for being good at bedime, 10 or something meant a special adventure with mommy or daddy or grandma ALONE.” – Aimee

“Each night they went to bed well a new train car would appear on their wall after they were asleep. We just drew a new one on paper each night. They loved waking up to see a new train car - it took awhile - the train was pretty long but eventually they didn't need it anymore. To everything there is a season :)” - Fisher Family

“I used duct tape. It works for anything. And Amber and Adam are only slightly scarred emotionally. :)” - Belinda C (Facebook)

“We use the "Teach Me Time" clock with Brooke. You can set it to glow green at the hour that it is okay for them to get up.” – Andrea P (Facebook) (I found this clock on Amazon if you are interested, it' looks like a great find!) 

“We did timeouts in the PeaPod Tent; if they wouldn't stay in their beds. We set up the tents in a separate room from their bedroom and would remove the offender from the bedroom if they got out of bed. I usually didn't give them their blankie so that they would understand I was serious and it was time to go to bed and blankies are for bedtime in BED.” –Joy L (Facebook)

However, I truly believe that  EVERY child is different.  My own 4 being a prime example of this very phenomenon.  What works for one of them, by no means works for all of them. Our particular offender was not motivated by surprises, positive reinforcements, or verbal praise.  Likewise he did not respond well taking away toys, losing privileges, or punishment. 

So what do you turn to when neither positive nor negative reinforcement works?  NEUTRAL!

I remember watching the Stay in Bed Technique on Supernanny pre-quads. The days when I thought I was such a good mom (before I even had any kids)! Several of you mentioned that it had worked for you, and I was willing to try anything for a full nights sleep!

The basics behind the technique is you are not allowing your child to gain the attention (negative or positive) that they are seeking by getting out of bed.  You complete the normal bedtime routine (bathroom, prayers, drink, book, etc.) and then put them to bed. The first and second times they get up, you reinforce that it’s bedtime by telling them and leading them back to bed.  After the third escape you just keep leading them back to bed, without a word or cuddle.

I’m not going to lie to you.  THIS IS HARD WORK!  We had one persistent little dude who was bound and determined that his excuses would get his way. I couldn’t have done it without my Tag-Team-Buddy, Brad. Over 100 put downs later and over an hour of continuing to put him back in bed, he was FINALLY down for the night.

But here’s the best part: 

Our consistency has paid off! 

He’s been staying in his bed without getting up for 3 NIGHTS IN A ROW!!!!!!

I asked for a “Magic Solution”. 

And you didn’t let me down.

I.O.U.

A Taste of Absence Does The Heart Good

This weekend Brad and I were able to get a short little breather.  It’s amazing what some comfort food (while it’s still warm) and a couple hours away with some good reads will do to recharge your spirit.  Uninterrupted conversation and riding in the car, rather than a van filled with car seats, was a welcomed retreat. Funny how holding hands can feel a little more like high school again. And how you could care less about traffic or waiting in a line, because you’re not rushed for once. And although the time passed too quickly, and responsibilities awaited us at home, we feel more empowered and energized to make it through the week.

It always amazes me how even a little taste of absence can make the heart grow fonder.

It does the heart good, doesn’t it?

 

(Special thanks to Brad’s parents for giving us a much needed recharge.)

Growing…Growing…Growing

   

You asked for an update on our raised garden.

It’s coming right along…

The Peas, Green Beans, Corn, (Thanks to Your Suggestion) and Cucumbers are growing quite nicely.

(And The Boys Have Kept from Pulling, Digging, and Drenching so far!)

Tomatoes and Peppers still need to be planted. (One of these days!)

So amazing to watch tiny seeds becoming little plants.

Kinda reminds me of how our boys have grown from miniature preemies to little dudes.

God is so amazing.

Me. The Cows. And Haiti.

So I entered this essay contest that Stonyfield is holding for bloggers…

… Cuz I’m really interested in learning more about eating natural foods, finding out where our foods come from, passing the goodness along to my boys, and all.

… I’ve been even more inspired after watching this movie   and while growing our garden.

… Well, just so happens that I was chosen as a TOP TEN FINALIST!

If I’m voted into the Final 3, I’ll be invited to tour the farms and facilities of Stonyfield to learn more about the farmers dedicated to organic food production.

(Wish I could take these handsome little farmers along for the ride. Goodness, they’ve grown up since this picture!)

Here’s the real kicker…

If I make the Final 3 cut, I’ll receive $5,000 to give to Three Angels Children’s Relief in Haiti.  An organization that has impacted me personally, our church has supported, and my brother recently visited. In such a time of devastation and destruction in this country, $5,000 of American money can make a HUGE impact.  (They also have a great FB Page if you’d like to see more of how they are impacting through their medical clinic, school, and orphanage in Haiti.)

Voting is simple.  Like 30 seconds - Tops. (Your Name, Email, And Vote – Easy Cheesy!) And you can vote 1x a day with a valid email address up until May 25th.

So mosey on over HERE (www.stonyfield.com/barnstorming/) to vote, and I will be super grateful (and so will Three Angels Haiti)!

 Thanks in Advance, Sweet Friends!

 

 

Let It Slide…

 

They love to play this game on the slide that they invented. Each of them slides down and slams into the last one in line. 

No cries.  Just laughter.

A game only BROTHERS could make up and love.

(Linked to 5 Minutes for Mom Wordless Wednesday)

Advantage #67 of Having a Wombmate…

 

…Never having to sleep alone during a thunderstorm.

This post is linked to 5 Minutes for Mom’s Wordless Wednesday

Fun for a Buck : Painter’s Tape Roadways

 

Looking for some frugal entertainment for your little one(s)? We’re always looking for creative ways to play without breaking the bank. We like to pass those ideas onto you through our Fun for a Buck Series.

A new activity that has been a hit with our four boys is Painter’s Tape Roadways.  The idea is simple, cheap, and fabulous! (Especially for transportation loving boys!) All you need is a roll of painter’s tape and some matchbox sized vehicles.  Tape the painter’s tape into a big enough road to navigate around the room. We made stops along the way with our Fisher-Price Airport, Barn, and School. Add some cars and let the traffic games begin!

    

Do you need more Fun for a Buck ideas?  Check out this one and this one.

Have an idea to share or think you’ll try this one out?  Leave us a comment and tell us about it!

The Journey of Motherhood

As Mother’s Day quickly approaches, my thoughts have been filled with my journey to motherhood.  There were years that I didn’t know if I would have the privilege of being called “Mama” and so many days that I questioned why God would give me such a deep desire to be something that I could not humanly achieve.

My personal journey to motherhood has been full of unexpected turns and unfamiliar territory. Even now, it’s so much different than I could have imagined. So many times I find myself falling to my own expectations of who I thought I would be as a mother. There are times I must of lower the bar I’ve set for myself yet again to survive another stage. There are times that I am giving it my all and know it’s still not enough. 

And then there are times that I find delight in the small moments of motherhood, like taking them to throw rocks into a nearby creek. Frequent moments that I look at my boys from afar and soak in once again that they are truly a gift from God. Suddenly I’m hit with the reality that this is my journey.  These tender, adventurous, rowdy, simple, sweet, messy, busy, affectionate, crazy-filled days are my own fleeting days of motherhood.

Whatever may lie ahead in my path, I am grateful for this role and humbled by this responsibility. My purpose is defined as I journey ahead down the unexpected, challenging, and joy-filled path of motherhood.

Psalm 25:4,5 “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;  guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

This year we are trying out gardening. It’s been the perfect age to get the boys involved.  They’ve loved the opportunity to help Daddy build, plant seeds, get dirty, and watch the veggies begin to grow.  So far we’ve planted peas in the raised bed and have tomatoes and peppers growing inside. We’ll be planting green beans and cucumbers in the next week or two.  

Hopefully their excitement about GROWING the veggies transfers to EATING the veggies! =)

I’m excited to have fresh produce right outside our door. How’s that for knowing where your food comes from?

If this goes well, we’ll hopefully expand and grown more fresh options next spring!

 

What’s your favorite garden fresh produce?

Have you had any success with gardening?

Tips to share?

A Walk to Remember…

We walked.

We spoke.

We celebrated.

We remembered.

We honored…

We got soaked.

There’s still time to GIVE!!!! (And there’s so many great THANK YOU prizes! Including Signed books from Angie Smith, a HP Mini Netbook, Home Decor, Custom Jewelry, Apparel, Music and more!) Our donations are up to $2300!!! (Less than $700 from our goal) Absolutely INCREDIBLE! So blessed and honored to call you friends!  I really believe we can make it happen! Spread the word and enter so you can WIN!

 

Fox59 Morning News LIVE

Wow.  Live TV is TOUGH!  One second you are getting a mic clipped on and the next second you are LIVE. We take it for granted how much work it is when people like @AngelaGanote make it look so natural and easy!

(You can click the full screen option to make it larger…)

 

I was so pleased with how well the boys responded on camera. You never know what you are going to get with four 3 year olds, but they were captivated by seeing themselves on the live feed screen and bribed motivated by an ice cream date after the show. =)

Waiting for our air time…

 

Hanging out in the Green Room… (Brooks and Clark look so much alike in this picture!)

 

Seconds from going live…

And we’re ON!

Thanks to the March of Dimes for giving us an opportunity to share our story and highlight why this walk is so meaningful to our family!

There’s still time to enter in the March 4 Miracles Mega-Giveaway here on 4tunate.  Can you help us spread the word and meet our goal?  Nearly 2K raised with 1K left to go!  I think we can meet it, don’t you?

We’d be thrilled to have you walk along with us on Sunday as well!  (Let me know if you are planning on walking and I can hook you up with a 4tunate Team Shirt.)

It warms my heart to see us all coming together to GIVE to a truly LIFE CHANGING organization!