Since the day I was put on bed rest it has been a challenge tackling not only household chores, but also running errands. On a typical day I juggle simple household chores relatively well. Think REALLY basic stuff such as laundry, paying bills, and running the Swiffer. The babies’ morning nap is when priority chores are accomplished, but I can’t exactly run to Kroger while the babies are sleeping. On the two days when I go to work, I try to run quick errands on my way home. I already feel as if we request entirely too much of our volunteers to ask them to stay any longer. However, sometimes I literally need to grab baby oatmeal for the next few days or go to the chiropractor for an adjustment. If I run an errand after work I only have about 30 minutes so that leaves a lot of errands undone. Amazon has been a great help as we order a lot of what we need these days, but some things can’t be ordered. Furthermore George and I enjoy running errands as a family. We like to share opinions with each other and of course spend time together rather than apart. As the babies are getting bigger and germs are less of a concern, we’ve devised a way to at least run some errands as a family. This of course involves a grand scheme to make it all work. We begin by plotting out what needs to be done, prioritizing errands, considering if we have errands where one of us can run in while the other circles the block, and then timing our adventure around feeds and naps.
Today we survived not one, but THREE errands! After the babies’ second feed, we furiously loaded them into the van and headed to Babies R Us. There I returned extra items and picked up a new package of bibs while George cruised the parking lot. Upon my return to the van, George informed me that I made a fatal error. I left my cell phone in the van so when he called to “Abort Mission” due to screaming babies I had no idea. Oh well, errand done!
Next, we headed to Costco to load up on produce for ourselves and baby purees. That is when the real fun began. In order to get everyone into Costco, we each wore a baby in a front facing carrier and pushed another baby in their car seat in a Coscto cart. Fellow quad mama, Krista, suggested the whole wear a baby idea to help us fly under the radar. According to Krista, if you don’t bring the Runabout people are so busy they hardly notice you are there. Well, that may work in California, but apparently nothing gets by a Texan. People would notice George and go nuts over his “twins” then see me trailing behind with “another one” and go batty over the triplets before they realized there were actually four babies. It was actually pretty funny. We just smiled and nodded a lot. People were always exceptionally nice to us and mostly just gasped in amazement. Despite the scene we must have caused, we darted through Costco, grabbed the essentials and escaped in about 40 minutes. On our way home we dropped by the pediatrician’s office to pick up a few formula samples. Albeit a brief nap, the babies slept well in the 30 minute ride back home. Even after running three errands, we managed to get home 25 minutes before the next feed. I’m really looking forward to a time when the babies can sit up in the Costco carts so we aren’t wearing anyone. Of course that will inevitably bring new challenges our way.
If you were shopping our our neighborhood Costco today, you would have observed this scene.
Here’s the shopping aftermath! As we left, the woman at customer service inquired about the boy/ girl ratio. When we told her it was 2 boys, 2 girls she replied, “That’s perfect! I’m jealous”. I thought that was a cute, candid remark.
I put Harper in the Baby Bjorn today because I think he may be running out of opportunities. He currently weighs a whopping 18 pounds and I don’t know how much longer my back can support him!
After shopping, we loaded all babies then the groceries into the van. I always felt bad that the boys have to sit in the back, but I think they have a much better view than the girls.
The babies finished snoozing as we unloaded the van at home.
Hugs!
Amber
Four to Adore 
Girl you are amazing! I don’t know how you do it!! I’m still wondering how I’m going to manage one. 🙂
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Why, thank you! We don’t have a choice so we just start swimming. You will too!
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Wow !!! I’m exhausted. Love you all.
Sent from my iPhone
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LOL! We’re exhausted too, but not because the babies aren’t sleeping (they’ve been in bed for hours now). It’s almost 11 and we’re still up. George is making the feed and I’m folding more laundry!
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Absolutely incredible! I’m positive we have done the whole failed “abort mission” scenario, at least a few times. (I’m terrible at remembering my cell phone!) Ah, parenting. 😉
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I know you can relate! I may actually be onto something “forgetting” my cell phone 😉
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Heh, right? Nice and relaxing… 🙂
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I know what went wrong with the Costco mission! We have covers over our carseat so they just think the baby in the front pack is the one who is suppose to be in the car seat!! We have done the one parent run in errands forever. We made it into a game long time ago that the people have to try and find the dumpsters before the other parent got out of the store. That way it usually gave enough time while we drove around the building to find the garbage. Sometimes you have to do whatever works to avoid the crying baby senecio!
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I’m sure you are right, if the seats were covered we would have fooled more people. However, the babies are really curious about their surroundings now so I want them to be able to see and explore new places. It’s okay thought, Mom and Dad will pay the price so they can learn. Too funny about the dumpster game. Whatever works!
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Amber, here’s one volunteer available for you. Let me know if you need something. Love, your neighbor, Cindy D.
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Consider yourself volunteered!
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Consider yourself volunteered!
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Hi Amber, I think I am a 2nd cousin to you on your mom’s side. Anyway I am a cousin not sure the number. I recently talked to Debbie Wilkins and she gave me your blog. Soooo precious. You have such a sense of humor which I am sure you need with these 4 blessings. I will keep you, George and your 4 darlings in my prayers. I wish I lived near you bc I would love to help. Since I cant I wil do what I can which is pray. I will pray for continued strength, courage and lots of energy. Tell Denise Congratulation and give her my love. May God wrap His loving arms around all of you and send blessings to meet whatever you are needing each day. Sending my love and hugs, Patty from San Antonio
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Hi Patty! Mom has talked about you before, we’ll go with 2nd cousin. Anything after first I just say second 😉 It wish all of our San Antonio relatives were closer, we’d love the visits and baby help.
Prayers are ALWAYS greatly appreciated. Prayer has been of great importance along the entire journey of infertility to the present. If anything this journey has strengthened our faith immensely. Thank you for each and every prayer and following our story.
hugs!
Amber
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You could try an Ergo carrier or a Lillebaby. I love mine, even though my baby is getting heavier (17 lbs)!
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I will have to check that one out. A lady at Costco also recommended at Butterfly something (can’t remember, but will Google it) because you can comfortably carry them up to something crazy like 30 lbs. But seriously, I don’t know if it will matter how much the carrier can handle, it’s my back I’m worried about.
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I briefly looked into some sort of twin/triplet carrier when I was pregnant with the twins. Maxi Mom? Something like that. The picture was ridiculous–looked like a lady in a harness with three babies just hanging off of her like Christmas tree ornaments. So I DON’T recommend that one!
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Omg I can’t imagine what a multiples carrier is like. I would topple over. We joked about wearing two carriers like the Walgreens commercial with twins. Ha!
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