Monday, July 25, 2011

Sweet and Crazy kids!

I think it has been confirmed that we have some crazy quaddlers. They crack me up all the time with the crazy things they do like spinning in circles until they fall over...many times creating a domino effect in the process, the way they "jump" off things by bending their knees then just walk off them, the way they ride their trucks down the slide or walk down...backwards! These kids are fearless and it almost gives me a heart attack on a daily basis.

They also are so sweet...when they want to be! I love when they walk around the house holding hands just because they want to, I love when they go and try to make each other happy when one is sad and how they don't like anyone to be mean to their siblings. Not saying that they don't fight or that they aren't mean to each other but if someone else is then look out!

Our summer days have been filled with a lot of out door time and swimming every day that the weather allows. They all hate being cooped up in the house and when we are out and about our days are much smoother than when have to be home. I guess they are going to be on the go kind of people like their mom and dad!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Granby Zoo

Tom, Kate, Ben and I took the quaddlers on their first trip out of the country into Canada yesterday and headed to Granby Zoo! The kids love to read the animal books and can identify most of them so it was pretty cool to be able to see them in person. I have to say that people in the USA are in general have more manners than the people we came across at the zoo. Adults just push kids right out of the way to see things, stand in front of them, climbed over our wagon...kids in it and all.

We did come across three girls who looked identical and they came over and were looking at the babies and asked in very broken English if they were four. I said yes and one of the girls ran and talked to her mom and came back and told me that they were four and one was dead. Ben and I both were saddened by that. It makes me realize how grateful we should be that we have four healthy babies here on Earth.

It was a scorcher yesterday again so we were thrilled to go play in the waterpark that is part of the zoo. The kids loved the little wave pool so I hope that means they will love the ocean when we go there next week.

Welcome to the zoo
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One of Matthew's favorite animals...the "ZEB-RA"
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The elefant was trying to keep cool by tossing sand on his back
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Brady spotted the giraffes!
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The zebras and the giraffes playing together
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Aubrey kept banging on the glass hoping the chimp would come play!
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Cameron's favorite attraction...the plastic seal. He kept pointing over to it and saying "see momma" LOL!
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What did you find babies?
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a TURTLE!
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Checking out the flamingos
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The bear was unimpressed by the kids great big "ROAR!"
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Riding the animals in the play ground
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The tiger trying to keep cool
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The kangaroo
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How many babies fit in the pouch???
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Checking out the hippo
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Where have our babies gone???

Every single day I am amazed but these little people that I am so fortunate to have in my life. We definitely have good days and bad days but at the end of the day I know I wouldn't trade my life for another. I find myself thinking several times a day "how can they be almost 2?!?!"

They are communicating so well now with each other and Ben and I. Everyday they come out with something new that makes me laugh, sometimes out loud and other times to myself as I tell them that that isn't nice.

Brady was going through a phase of pointing at me and telling me "no momma", "stop momma" or his favorite "zip it". Thankfully that has passed. His latest one is telling people to "toughen up" when they don't do what he wants them too.

Matthew is finally answering yes or more correctly saying "um hmmm" instead of saying no all the time. He gets this high pitched squeal in his voice when he is excited about something and it always makes me laugh. Every time we leave somewhere he says bye bye to everything in sight...like at the pool it is "bye bye water, bye bye mushroom, bye bye swimming"

Cameron is talking using 2 and 3 words to make a sentence. I love the way he says "I no no" when he doesn't know where something is. He loves to read the words in his truck books! He still gets very frustrated when people don't understand him but he is getting more easily understood each day.

Aubrey repeats EVERYTHING! She knows when the word is a bad word because she will say it then look at you and smile. She loves to use her words to boss everyone around. She can read her Babies book with her eyes closed and so can we.

They can all count to 3 and attempt to count higher. We have been practicing our ABC's and they are getting good about doing chunks of letters at a time. They love to sing and can they sing along with you parts of Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle, 5 Little Monkeys, Old McDonald and of course the Hot Dog Song.

I am glad to say teething is almost over! Aubrey still has 2 teeth to cut on the bottom and they all need their 2 year molars but there is an end in sight. I hate seeing them so miserable from having a sore mouth.

My big kids are doing great running, climbing and attempting to jump. The new favorite is trying to walk down the slide attached to the ball pit or ride their toys down it. I can't believe we haven't had an emergency room visit yet! These kids are crazy!

With all the climbing they do we have been lucky enough not to have anyone attempt to climb out of their beds yet so we will be keeping those as long as possible. I am waiting for the day to have someone show up in my bedroom in the middle of the night.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Quaddler Day at Storyland!

We had an amazing day at Storyland with three other fantastic quad families. It is so nice to spend time with others who can truly relate to what you are dealing with.

Ben and I met Danielle and Art MacLeod at Brigham and Women's when I was around 26 weeks pregnant. We shared the same OB doctor, the same NICU nurses and their quads were born on our quads due date. Unfortunately even though we live in the same state we have only managed to get together a few times. Danielle got to be my planemate as well as my roommate when we went to Texas in May and I had such a blast with her!

We first heard about Lindsay and James Nadeau when their boys were born and they made the news. So in common stalker like fashion I knew I had to find her and chat! I mean how can we have another quad family in our state that we didn't get in touch with. I googled them and found their blog and first got in touch with them that way. Since they we have become online buddies and got to meet in person at their boys' first birthday party last spring. We look forward to getting to spend more time with them in the future.

I met Teri Duggan in Texas and I knew the moment I met her that she was so much fun and so sweet. Her husband Josh was temporarily stationed in Rhode Island so we managed to get them to take a trip up to the North Country with their girls to come play. Our kids hit it off, I even think a couple of my boys have crushes! I wish they weren't moving so soon!

We were so happy that everyone made the trip with their quaddlers to come play! Even though the heat was horrible we had a fantastic time!

The Duggan Quads, The Nadeau Quads, The MacLeod Quads and The Hickey Quads
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Last year vs. this year
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Sitting with Humpty Dumpty
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The Hickeys at the play ground
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The Nadeaus and MacLeods playing in the playground
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The Hickeys, Duggans and MacLeods tearing up the sand box while the Nadeaus have a little snack!
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Milking the cow
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Cooling off in the watering sprinkler
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The final 8 riding the choo choo. Teri and I got a laugh hearing people wonder out loud if they were octuplets!
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Sunday, July 17, 2011

First day at the Beach

The heat was ridiculous so we decided to take the kiddos up to South Pond for the afternoon so we could all cool off and play in the sand. They had a blast walking through the water and "swimming" on their bellies. Matthew was able to figure out how to float and kick with his Puddle Jumpers on. Aubrey attempted to copy Matthew but a little drink of water changed her mind in a hurry! They enjoyed playing with their beach toys, buckets and shovels making mud pies and them rinsing them off with the pond water. We are having such a blast with these kids this summer! I wish summer lasted forever!

Playing in the water!
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Splashing each other!
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Playing in the sand with Daddy!
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Brady sooooo not impressed to get his picture taken. He is such a punk lately about getting a picture taken!
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Cameron getting dirty!
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Matthew filling his bucket with water, one shovel at a time!
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Aubrey filling her bucket trying to pretend that her brothers do not exist!
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22 months

ALREADY! I am loving this age, despite the temper tantrums and strong wills, they are so much fun and can do so much! Every day brings something new!

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Mommy and her favorite foursome!
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Friday, July 15, 2011

Swimming Lessons!

I have been wanting to get some pictures of the kids at swimming lessons but as brave as they are you need to have several people right on top of them during their time in the water. I really shouldn't call it lessons because it is more bring your kid while the lifeguards sit on the side of the pool and chat kind of thing. The quaddlers do love going up there three days a week to get used to the water and play. They definitely have come a long way in three short weeks!

Playing in the water
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Ready to jump!
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Matthew swimming with Mommy!
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Brady swimming with Mommy!
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Aubrey swimming with Mommy!
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Cameron swimming with Mommy!
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Aubrey making her way through the water
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Matthew swimming on his belly
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Cameron thinking about getting in
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Brady collecting all the rings
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We've been FLOCKED!

Nine years ago this summer there was so much uncertainty, would Ben make it through his treatments?  Would I be able to carry all four babi...