After the kid’s birthday, I always enjoy their well checks. It may seem strange, but I really like spending the time to track their growth and developmental milestones (I may also like bragging about them a tad at the pediatrician’s office). I try to make the day special for them too. They are allowed to wear “top shelf” clothes, which are reserved for special occasions and afterwards we do something special together. At age two, I split them into two appointments: boys and girls. It was nice having just two kids with me and I plan to schedule like that in the future especially as they change. However, it worked better this year to book a quad appointment.
Unfortunately on the day of our appointment, the office was running behind and we waited over thirty minutes to go back. The crew behaved really well and lapped up the attention they received from office staff. They watched a movie in the waiting room, assembled puzzles, ate lollipops, read books, and built Lego towers. As far as they were concerned, it was play time. I was concerned whether they’d continue this behavior once we went into the exam room, but they were impeccable.
Nisey was a little tired of the wait, however.
During the exam, our pediatrician was pleased with everyone’s overall development and was surprised that in some areas they were ahead of what is expected of three-year olds. For instance, they are beginning to color within the lines and communicate using lengthy sentences. We need to work more on independence skills such as dressing themselves fully though. It’s often easier for me to do things for them so I’ve stifled their opportunity to develop a few skills. No surprise to me, all four are on the petite side, but growing at a satisfactory rate: Stats are as follows:
Rylin- 2″ 10.5″ tall and 25 pounds, 9 ounces
Harper- 3′ .05″ tall and 32 pounds
Sydey- 2′ 10″ tall and 23 pounds
Mason- 2′ 10.8″ tall and 24 pounds
hugs!
Amber
Psst…Are you subscribed to this blog? If you enjoy what you’re reading, you can have our latest posts delivered right to your inbox! Simply select “subscribe” on the right side of the page.
Congratulations to Becca Ramirez, Cindy’s Suds Giveaway winner!
While I was expecting quadruplets, I connected with Becky who was also expecting quads. She and I shared the many joys and woes of a quadruplet pregnancy. Her babies were delivered three short days before mine, and we’ve shared a special bond since. During the dog days of caring for preemie infants, Becky sent me a lovely care package first time mom survival kit which included Cindy’s SudsHealing Salve (hand made by her sister, Cindy). At the time I was HAND WASHING about 200 bottle parts daily and bathing in hand sanitizer to keep germs off my fragile babies. My hands took a toll and easily could have been mistaken for hands of a 90 year old woman. After the skin began splitting on my knuckles and hands, I applied the healing salve to them a few times daily. My hands not only smelled divine, they started healing and feeling soft again. Since a little salve goes a long way, I had salve in my medicine cabinet for almost two years.
This year on our Quad Mom Trip; I was elated when Becky brought another care package that included Healing Salve. Becky mentioned applying the salve to her kids’ eczema as well as other boo boos. When I got home, I began using it on Harper’s patchy cheeks, arms and legs. Guess what? His skin has never been better. He’s still a little dry, but MUCH better!
Over the years, Cindy expanded her online shop to include a variety of products for home and body all of which are hand crafted using naturally derived materials. Because Cindy is a Physician’s Assistant she’s able to utilize her medical background to develop products that are not only safe, but also beneficial to the skin. After reading an article penned by Cindy, I realized that Harper has a skin condition called Keratosis Pilaris, which causes bumps on the backs of arms, legs, cheeks, and buttocks. KP can be treated with a variety lifestyle changes and products, including Healing Salve.
Thanks to Becky’s introduction, I knew I was a fan of Cindy’s Suds and was therefore honored to provide a product review/ giveaway. Cindy sent samples of Healing Salve, Germ Guard, and Lavendar Calendula Soap. These samples could not have arrived at a more opportune time than potty training with quadrplets. I may not be washing bottle parts anymore, but whilst potty training quads, I’m back to hand scrubbing and sanitizing making my hands take a haggard appearance again. Plus, potty training led to numerous accidents and potty mischief, which created unsavory odors in our home. At one point I thought someone was using an “ewwww de toilette” home fragrance bar in our house. It was horrific. On several occasions, I resorted to wearing a surgical mask to clean messes made with training pants and naughty hands (no pictures to spare your eyes, but it was Hazmat worthy). After a few of these disgusting clean ups I decided to give Germ Guard a whirl and I was astounded at it’s ability to obliterate foul odors and leave a pleasant spicy scent behind.
GERM GUARD
In addition to bathroom odors, Germ Guard works as a hand sanitizer, surface cleaner, and will zap stench from about anything imaginable including sneakers. This pair of Nike shoes almost got chucked they smelled so bad, but Cindy’s Suds spared them. After a few applications the funk was banished for good.
HEALING SALVE
After days of too much hand sanitizer and repeated washing, the skin on my knuckles cracked and split.
After two days of applying Healing Salve, my hands were much smoother.
Finally after about 5-7 days of applying salve my hands were fully healed and looking normal again. To prevent cracking from re-occurring, I’ve been applying salve when I wash dishes and after I shower. I haven’t had cracks since.
LAVENDER CALENDULA SOAP
After reading about KP and taking our pediatrician’s advice to use bar soap, I started using Cindy’s soap on the kids. It has a fantastic lather and nice, light scent that’s not overpowering for children. Along with Healing Salve, Harper’s skin is maintaining a much smoother appearance and softer texture.
I was thoroughly impressed with each of the products we tried in Cindy’s lineup. At first I thought the bottle of Germ Guard was a bit too small, but soon realized you don’t need to spray much for effective odor busting. This bottle should last us a while and then I’ll have to replenish. I believe Germ Guard is now a household staple.
hugs,
Amber
To enter to win your own Healing Salve and Germ Guard, please visit Cindy’s Sudsto decide what products peak your interest. Then, visit a Rafflecopter giveaway to cast your entries.The contest is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway closes at 12:00 am CST, Tuesday, September 29 and the winner will be selected using rafflecopter.com and announced on Wednesday, September 30. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to email notification or another winner will be chosen.
Disclaimer: I would like extend a special thanks to Cindy’s Suds for providing product samples for us to try for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received, and all thoughts/ opinions are 100% my own.
PS- If you’d like to see more from Four to Adore, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Labor Day has come and gone, meaning it’s time to bid farewell to the lazy days of summer. I’ve been back at work for nearly six weeks, and am starting a home school preschool routine for they days when I’m home.
Over the summer, we enjoyed an abundance of play dates and managed to soak in the cool air conditioning of indoor play areas in the process. We met our friends at the library, local churches, restaurants, museums, and even their homes.
Playing at a friend’s house offers opportunities for the quads to practice respecting the rules of others, using manners, and taking turns with toys.
After spending time a local church’s playscape, my friend’s oldest daughter singlehandedly lined up five three-year olds and led them to the parking lot. This sweet big sister has a heart of gold and perhaps a future as a teacher.
The quads received a family membership to our local children’s museum as a birthday gift and we’ve made good use of it. We have a well established routine for meeting buddies there and noshing on a picnic in the courtyard.
Play dates at the museum are terrific because there are ample things to do and explore and none of the toys belong to any of our kids.
I don’t know why it took me so long to find the joy in a McCafe while the quads romp around McPlayland. McDonald’s will never top my list of favorite places to dine, but a warm cup of coffee while my children play in a climate controlled area close to home? I don’t mind if I do!
We wrapped up our summer play dates with none other than the Bell Quads at our house. I always marvel at lunch set up for eight. It looks like a preschool class!
In lieu of naps, we had a screening of Tangled, which is a new quad favorite. Sydney is hiding in the hallway to avoid seeing the “scary” part.
No play date is complete without bidding our friends farewell with a bear hug.
When I plunked down a summer bucket list, I didn’t consider the level of commitment involved. It didn’t take us long to tackle the majority of the items listed, but keeping up with photo editing and blog publishing took me all summer long. I’m glad I published the list though. If I hadn’t, I may have skimped on our summer. If you’re paying close attention, you probably noticed that “train ride” is yet to be accomplished. Nisey and Poppa gave the kids a gift certificate to ride the train for the kid’s birthday. We are waiting for fall weather to enjoy the trek so stay tuned for that quadventure!
Four to Adore 