No Snowsuits in Texas, Ya’ll

December 6, 2013December 7, 2013Amber 23 Comments

Winters in Texas are notoriously mild. Earlier this week we enjoyed temperatures in the high 70’s. It was warm enough to warrant running our ceiling fans, and almost enough for the a/c. As the week progressed, or local meteorologists warned of an upcoming winter storm. By Thursday evening the ground was sealed with a thick sheet of ice.

While every school child wishes for a snow day, staff dreads them. We all know that a snow day means make up work later, and time being captives at home. I held out hope the weather would improve, but it didn’t and to my dismay our school systems closed. I only work two days per week, and Friday happens to be one of my work days. Schools being closed meant I was staying home Friday while George trekked to work. Oddly, I panicked a little. Thursday evening I searched Pinterest for fun indoor activities for toddlers as a day of being trapped indoors loomed. Most everything within my search was either something we already do, or involved something the quads would eat. They still put most everything in their mouths and supervising eight hands with tiny objects is daunting.

We aren’t on lock down anymore, but during the week, we are generally home. Even when weather is nice, I struggle to take the quads into our yard because it’s a massive challenge to supervise everyone adequately. Honestly, staying home Friday would be close to a typical day for us. However, there is something about knowing you are trapped at home, and inside. I may not get out with the quads on my own much, but I find comfort knowing we can. We always have the Runabout if we want some fresh air.

When we awoke in the morning, it there really was a beautiful scene outdoors. I had nothing new to occupy the quads. I contemplated the fact that this was the first time the quads were old enough to bundle up and venture out on a wintry day. By lunchtime, I really wanted the quads to get a chance to play outside in the cold. We’ve been talking a lot about snowmen, cold weather, and Santa lately. I wanted them to experience the cold. I considered how to bundle them knowing their “coats” are actually fleece jackets. We don’t have snowsuits in Texas, ya’ll. With a little creativity, I came up with this get up-

Everyone was already wearing a romper and socks. I put a pair of Baby Legs under their romper and on their amrs, then I added hats, and fleece pajamas. Bam! Texas style baby snow suits. The best part was not dealing with shoes.

Everyone was already wearing a romper and socks. I added a pair of Baby Legs under their romper and on their arms, then I added hats, mittens, and fleece pajamas. Bam! Texas style baby snow suits. The best part was not dealing with shoes.

I know we have a disc sled somwehere in the attic, but I wasn't sure quite where. Besides, a Texas sled aka laundry basket is the best way to transport for toddlers anyways.

Mason refused to wear his mittens (I think he saw the pink bow on them), and Harper’s mittens were actually socks. I know we have a disc sled somewhere in the attic, but I wasn’t sure quite where. Besides, a Texas sled aka laundry basket is the best way to transport for toddlers anyways.

Texas Style Sledding

Apologies for my poor videography here. It’s no easy feat managing four toddlers on ice as a solo act.

When I bundled the quads, I planned to keep them in the laundry basket. Our yard is terribly uneven and they struggle to walk on grass period. It was cramped quarters in there, and they seemed to want to explore more so I bailed them out. To my surprise, they managed prancing around on the ice rather well. I suspect the ice evened the ground a bit, helping the cause.

Rylin

Harper

Sydney

Mason

The Bopsy Twins

When Mason looked like this, I decided it was time to retreat before his tears froze.

We probably stayed outside roughly the same amount of time it took me to dress everyone, but it was worthwhile. Stripping them out of their faux snow suits was relatively painless, and I just tossed everything in the dryer. To warm up, we snuggled under a Sherpa blanket as we watched part of The Sound of Music, which amazingly captivates them.

We are on day two of ice day, and I do have a few new activities to try. Hopefully I’ll get around to sharing later.

What is your favorite ~~snow~~ ice day activity?

Hugs,

Amber

Imaginations Ignited

December 5, 2013Amber 4 Comments

Much like with the quad’s wardrobe, we are fortunate enough to also receive many hand me down toys. I stash toys away for a few weeks at a time, and rotate them to keep things fresh. When I notice fussiness and cranky babies, I know it’s time for a rotation. Around our house, novelty is king! It always warms my heart to see the quads discover something new to explore.

Of their toys, I’m most fond of those that encourage imaginative play. It’s wonderful seeing the quads figure out how to really use toys and mimic adult behaviors. For instance, they are all about their kitchen set right now. They don’t really understand how to cook with it, but they often feed me or their stuffed animals and dolls plastic spaghetti and vegetables. Mason and Harper are often seen stirring imaginary concoctions in tiny tea cups, or sipping their beverages.

Seriously, Mason’s favorite toys are spoons. He often clutches one in each hand, and on occasion I find them in his crib.

Another favored toy is the telephone. Naturally, the babies see us chatting on our cell phones, and they emulate this behavior artfully. On a few occasions, George made the grave error of letting them play with his actual phone. It’s impressive how they instinctively swipe and tap, but really smart phones are not good in little hands. The baby sign for phone is to hold your hand to your ear, which they do when they spy a phone.

They have quite an array of toy phones. So many in fact that I was tickled at comparing the evolution of them. Our toy phone collection boasts a rotary dial phone all the way to a smart phone. And you know what- they recognize each of these toys as phones and use them appropriately. However, they seem to prefer the smart phone. I believe they recognize it as being most similar to the ones we use, and they often bicker over who gets it.

This is quite the collection of toy phones.

Here’s our entire collection of telephones.

It is rather incredible just how much technology has evolved within my life span. When we Face Time with my sister, it reminds me of watching episodes of The Jetsons as a child. I often wonder what the future of technology will bring for the quads. By the time they are adults will these toy phones even be recognizable as phones?

For the most part, the quads mastered the “walk and talk” as well as the “speaker phone”.

hugs,

Amber

Christmas Traditions, Old & New

December 1, 2013December 9, 2015Amber 16 Comments

Each year, the week of Thanksgiving, George and I put our Christmas tree up as our favorite Christmas movies play in the background. This year the quads were too small to help, so we worked under the cover of darkness. The next day, they had a special screening of Baby Einstein’s Baby Santas, however. I imagine Christmas tree decorating as being a fun family activity for years to come, especially when our “kid tree” fills with more family creations and treasures.

My mom found this beautiful wide mesh ribbon for our tree and mantle. It did such a lovely job of filling our tree. In fact, we used about 50% fewer ornaments than usual (nice time saver around here!). We typically decorate our mantle with garland laced in shimmery ribbon and white lights. However, we knew that would be a danger this year. Eight little hands would undoubtedly unplug the lights and yank the garland.

George and I spent the last year debating about how to enjoy a Christmas tree in the den, while keeping it safe for toddlers. We ended up placing it atop our round coffee table so it’s too high for them to tip. What’s really neat is that I remember my grandmother putting her tree on this same table so actually it’s an old family tradition. The lowest branches are void of ornaments and all other low hanging ornaments are plastic, shatter proof, and hook free. Each of the quads has grasped a branch and grabbed a few ornaments, but they really don’t bother it much especially as the novelty wears away.

I never would have imagined having this many stockings adorning our mantle, but it’s a beautiful sight. One bitter cold evening this week, George bravely built a fire and the quads obediently stayed away from the “hot”. They all know the baby sign for “hot” and heed our warnings.

In order to hang so many stockings, and “quad proof” them, we used a curtain rod and three industrial clamps. The quads have done well with using their eyes to see and not touching, but the rod is really strong if they ever pull one.

Once our den is transformed into a cozy Christmas scape, it’s time for cookies and popcorn. The first Christmas we spent in our house, our neighbors generously delivered the most delicious sugar cookies we ever tasted. At first they taunted us saying it was a “secret family recipe”, but in time they shared it with us and it’s now a family favorite here.

I think the secret to this recipe is the heavy cream, it adds a nice richness to the flavor and it softens the texture. This recipe yields four dozen, but I took my sweet time snapping a picture of them, and only six mini cookies remained three days after we baked them. Also, the frosting never made it onto this batch of cookies because they were devoured too soon!

As a child, my grandmother mailed us an Advent calendar filled with chocolates, marking down the days until Christmas Day. I remember anxiously waiting for its arrival, and then trying to figure out whether my sister or I would get to eat the first morsel (each day had one chocolate inside so we took turns). Chocolate filled Advent calendars are rare these days, but every now and then I spy one while shopping and remember the joy they brought to our family long ago. Several years ago, I found a beautiful mirrored Advent calendar at Target. It has large openings covered with miniature doors for each day. Prior to having our own children, George and I filled it for each other. Sometimes we put little chocolates inside, and sometimes little notes to each other. This year, we filled it with M & M’s for the quads to enjoy. As they get older and better understand the concept, we will probably add small gifts or notes to the boxes.

This year was our first year to adopt an Elf on the Shelf. While the tradition has become extremely popular in the last few years, George wanted to partake in that tradition long before we even had thoughts of children on our minds. We met our first Elf on the Shelf at my cousin’s house. We noticed him dangling from their chandelier as we enjoyed dinner together. She explained that it was their family’s Elf sent from Santa to monitor the children’s behavior and report back to Santa. Every Christmas thereafter, George would mention adopting an Elf on the Shelf, and this year was prime time for it. Since adopting our Elf, we read the story to the quads and Rylin named him, “Bop”, which they all say. Although the Elf on the Shelf isn’t supposed to report to your home until December 1st, ours arrived a little early and has been keeping the quads in check. Every morning we ask them were Bop is and they set out looking. He stays in plain sight so it doesn’t usually take them long to spot him and begin pointing ferociously at him.

Last year, when Santa stopped by for a surprise visit, I HAD to make sure the babies were dressed in cozy Christmas pajamas so a new family tradition was born. I found these a little early, and have been dressing the quads in them a few weeks already to get as much wear as possible. If they don’t outgrow them, they may wear them until Valentine’s Day!

Sydney is the best snuggle bunny! I sometimes wish I could snuggle her all day long.

Perhaps the most important Christmas tradition of all is the nativity scene. After all, it is the point of Christmas in the first place. Our nativity is the same Fontanini one my family used as a child. My mother passed it down to me when I went off to college and lived in my first apartment. There is actually a really great story behind this nativity, but that’s a whole new post!

What traditions does your family hold close to it’s heart?

Hugs,

Amber

Toddler Tips #14: Board Book Rehab

November 27, 2013January 13, 2014Amber 11 Comments

With each passing day, I find myself trying to solve some new challenge with raising four toddlers, aka “quaddlers”. They are a cunning lot who inspires a little ingenuity on my part (and George’s) just to manage day-to-day life. While my ideas are born from being surrounded by four toddlers, I think many of them could be helpful to any parents of little ones so I’m sharing.

Because I want the quads to develop a love of reading, I leave book baskets within their reach within in every room where they congregate. I even keep a basket of them in the kitchen so they can peruse them before and after meals. Our “basket books” are primarily ones I picked up at garage sales and Half Price Books, or were handed down. We have our special books located on high bookshelves and we take them down only when an adult can sit and read them, most often at bedtime.

When we finish a meal, I’ll often hear Rylin’s raspy voice whisper, “book” as she signs “please”. They will sometimes sit for up to 30 minutes flipping through pages of books, examining the pictures, and sometimes even asking us to label things. It warms my heart to see this.

Photographer, Christina Childress, captured this group shot during their one year photo session. This is one of my favorite photos of the quads.

However, sometimes I’m convinced that our children are part Billy Goat. They love gnawing the edges of books almost as much as they enjoy looking at them. It doesn’t matter how closely we supervise them or how often we redirect this behavior, they are toddlers and they simply chew voraciously. At first it wasn’t really a problem aside from making books a little less attractive. After a while, their books were so tattered they’d chomp of bits of them, posing a choking hazard among other things. The first few times this happened, I chucked the worst books into the garbage. Then, our collection of board books began to dwindle forcing me to look for replacements. I didn’t want to spend money on more books I knew they’d find delectable so instead began a repair process.

Here are a few of the books with chewed spines.

To fix them, I gathered our collection of Duct tape and a pair of scissors.

Voila! These books were put back into rotation. Since the repair, they have chewed the edges a little bit, but they cannot get through the Duct tape and don’t seem as interested in Duct tape as cardboard.

My desire to repair books began when they nearly finished off our copy of “Yummy Yucky”, which is a family favorite here. What is your favorite children’s book?

Hugs!

Amber

Teaching Toddlers Thankfulness

November 26, 2013Amber 5 Comments

George and I have been working more on teaching our children virtues recently. As they communicate better and interact with each other more, being kind, patient, generous, and gracious are increasingly important. My heart melted when Mason showed a generous heart at dinner, sharing his milk with Harper.

I really hadn’t considered how to teach them thankfulness until I read a post written by my cousin at Confessions of a Pastor’s Family. Showing gratitude is important year round, but this time of year is a nice time to spend a little more time devoted to it. I loved how her family worked together to create a “Thankful Tree” where each family member wrote some of the things they are thankful for on the leaves. While the quads aren’t old enough to verbalize what exactly they appreciate, I combined our usual baby art with thankfulness. I love creating art using their hands and feet because it preserves their size at various stages of life. This year, we did the cliché hand and foot turkey. On each of the little fingers, I wrote things I believe they are thankful for (e.g. Wubbanubs, Elmo, shape sorters) as well as things we are thankful for as a family (e.g. our doctors, family, friends). In the future, I think it will be fun to see what they liked as babies and how they evolve into appreciating other things.

I realized after I snapped this pictures, I was short one item for Harper so I added "baby gates". I have now idea how we'd function without them!

I realized after I snapped this pictures, I was short one item for Mason’s pinkie so I added “baby gates”. I have now idea how we’d function without them!

Our turkeys are hanging in the art gallery frame in our playroom. I think they may live their beyond Thanksgiving as a reminder of the very blessings in our life- great and small.

While I had fun reflecting upon what our family is thankful for, that didn’t really teach the quads much this year. I took note from Jennifer and added the sign, “thank you” to our repertoire. They already mastered basic requests and “please” so “thank you” was a logical next step. They haven’t mastered, “thank you”, but they certainly understand the concept. I also pulled a small collection of books about being thankful from our library, reading them daily. Since the babies were in the NICU, I have always prayed with them. I’m not typically a “pray aloud” person, but in order to teach babies and children prayer, you really have to pray aloud. Each night as I tuck each one into bed, I pray over them thanking Jesus for our day and our blessings, then I extend our prayer to others. Even though I’ve been praying with the babies their entire life, we are just beginning a mealtime prayer. I have always liked the one Jennifer’s family says so we are adopting her version as a mealtime prayer. It is very close to the one my father’s family says, but is a little more child-friendly.

Come Lord Jesus be our guest.

Let this food to us be blessed.

Make us mindful for the needs of others, we ask in your name.

Amen.

Jennifer suggested a few books about thankfulness, but I found these right on our own bookshelf. The babies favorite is, Thank God for Puppies!

Jennifer suggested a few books about thankfulness, but I found these right on our own bookshelf. The babies favorite is, “Thank You, God, for Puppies!”

Family is always something we are thankful for, especially when raising quadruplets. We celebrated Thanksgiving with George’s extended family Sunday. We missed family gatherings last year due to lock down and it’s nice being with extended family again. His 90 year old twin great aunts really seemed to enjoy meeting the newest multiples in the family.

Our family has been blessed in many ways, and it is important that we teach our children beginning right now to be thankful for what we are given each day. What are you thankful for?

hugs!

Amber

Live Clean (Baby)

November 24, 2013Amber 1 Comment

Between our four babies, it turns out that two of them have sensitive skin. So sensitive in fact, we make our own baby wipes and laundry detergent! I never would have thought I’d be making those things, but to protect sensitive skin, it’s worthwhile. Harper has a mild case of eczema that we keep an eye on, and Sydney is prone to break outs and diaper rash if we aren’t careful. I really appreciate things that smell good whether it be our laundry or shampoo. I mean who doesn’t love the scent of fresh sheets??? However, when making our own laundry detergent and using “sensitive skin” formulas we generally sacrifice scent in the process.

When I found out about a new line of Eco-friendly, organic baby bath products sold exclusively at Walgreen’s, I was excited to try them. However, I wasn’t willing to try yet another line of the boring, unscented variety or something that would be too expensive for our family budget. I cruised into our neighborhood Walgreen’s for a sneak peek. To my delight, the Live Clean (Baby) products are affordably priced (similar to other products we buy) and had a nice light fragrance. Just like all other baby bath products we’ve used, all Live Clean (Baby) products are tear free, hypoallergenic, and pediatrician tested. I noticed that all of their products use plant-based ingredients. For instance, the first ingredients in the shampoo are water, aloe leaf extract, and lavender flower extract (those things smell lovely, by the way). They are also free of parabens, and sulfates, are vegan, and cruelty free (none of their products or ingredients are tested on animals). Based upon those things I decided the Live Clean (Baby) product line was worth a test spin.

At our house, bath time is quite an ordeal so we alternate days that we give baths. When I know it’s bath night, I often serve a messier dinner than usual, knowing a bath will follow. Oatmeal is one of my favorite bath night meals because it’s thick, hearty texture is a good way for the quads to practice spoon-feeding themselves. In the process, we usually get oatmeal facials all around, which warrant heavy-duty bathing.

On bath night, I often serve oatmeal for dinner. It provides a hearty, thick texture for the quads to practice spoon feeding themselves. But, they end up making oatmeal facials out of a good portion of their dinner.

The girls are doing a really good job with utensils and making most of the food go into their mouths. Even so, they are messy at mealtimes.

The boys eat a little more haphazardly, and often lose the privilege of bowls and spoons.

It’s pretty clear that bath products have a big job at our house, and our Live Clean (Baby) products arrived just in time! It was coincidentally bath night when our box arrived.

Our Live Clean Baby gift included bar soap, foaming wash, baby bath, shampoo and wash, lotion, and non-petroleum jelly.

Our Live Clean (Baby) sample set included moisturizing bar soap, foaming wash, moisturizing baby bath, tearless shampoo and wash, moisturizing lotion, and non-petroleum jelly.

I don’t typically make bubble baths, but the baby wash directions said to use a capful for a bubble bath so I gave it a whirl.

The baby wash created nice, thick bubbles, which Rylin was ready to explore.

The quads really enjoyed running their hands and fingers through the bubbles. It was a nice sensory activity for them.

I know that lather doesn't have anything to do with effectiveness of shampoos and soaps, but I admittedly love soap with a rich lather. I also know that sulfates generally are what create a lather, yet Live Clean Baby products are sulfate free and create an fantastic lather.

I know that lather doesn’t have anything to do with effectiveness of shampoos and soaps, but I admittedly LOVE shampoo and soap with a rich lather. I also know that sulfates generally are what create a lather, and Live Clean (Baby) products are sulfate free, yet they create a luxurious lather. I used the wash/ shampoo on the girls.

I wanted to compare the foaming wash and shampoo/ wash so the boys got the foaming wash. Guess what- the foaming wash created the same great lather!

I never tried bar soap on the babies, and was pleasantly surprised at how the bar soap also created a nice thick lather, and seemed to moisturize their skin. I believe the bar soap will last us much longer than a typical bottle of liquid baby wash, which means it can save us money in the long run.

Sydney came out of her bath feeling refreshed and chipper.

Following a dunk in the tub, I always give each baby a massage with baby lotion and use petroleum jelly to grease their hineys, creating a moisture barrier before bed. The Live (Clean Baby) lotion had a light, refreshing floral scent that I liked even for myself.

Ahhh, two clean girls ready for bed!

Voila! Two clean boys ready to hit the sack.

The true litmus test for these products came the next morning after the babies slept a solid 12 hours. First of all, my two sensitive skin babies had no problems with the new products, which means it was gentle enough for them. While the texture of the non-petroleum jelly was a bit thinner than our usual, it worked just as effectively the babies were diaper rash free the next morning. My favorite part was they smelled as if they had just taken a bath even after 12 hours of slumber. During the night, they tend to drool and sweat so most of the time the fresh bathed scent has long vanished. After using these products, my mom even noticed their hair was really soft and smelled nice a full day after bath. Amazing!!!

What measures do you take to protect your little one’s skin?

hugs!

Amber

P.S. I would like to extend a special thank you to Live Clean (Baby) for providing samples of their products for review. I received no other compensation and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Happy Friday!

November 22, 2013Amber 5 Comments

I have all sorts of things I want to write about and plenty of stories to share, but at the moment I’m totally exhausted. It took forever to capture the quads dance moves, but I got a few clips to create a montage. Apparently the soulful sounds of J. D. McPherson really get them jazzed up and inspire the best dance moves, and it doesn’t hurt to ask them for “their moves”. I hope it brightens your Friday.

hugs!

Amber

The Best Gift

November 18, 2013Amber 4 Comments

A couple of months back when George celebrated his birthday, my parents gave him the best. gift. ever. an evening of babysitting. They also gave him movie tickets and a restaurant gift card, but seriously, the babysitting was perfection. It took us several months to redeem his gift, but this weekend proved the perfect time.

In honor of her birthday, my sister invited her friends to go bowling at a chic Dallas alley (a far cry from Fred Flintstone’s lanes) Saturday night. I was delighted she included us in her celebration, but didn’t expect we could attend. After seeing the invitation, George said he was game so we made arrangements to redeem his gift. Saturday afternoon, Mom and Dad headed up to our house and set up shop. Not only did they agree to babysit for the evening, but my parents also planned to spend the night. Just before we left, I snapped a few pictures of the quads with Nisey and Grandpa.

Grandpa and Nisey assured us that all would be well for the evening. Harper does not enjoy snuggling and has not slept in my arms since infancy. Apparently Grandpa has “the touch”.

We love our kids fiercely, but it was nice getting out into a social scene together. We really enjoyed spending time with Courtney’s circle.

We had trouble picking teams so went girls vs guys. I have no idea which team won, however.

Courtney and her beau, Matt, were up at the same time.

George thought it was more fun to check ball speed than to knock down pins. He and one of the guys kept trying to outdo each other. In the end, I think Anton won that battle with something like 24 mph.

Courtney and I took a cheesy sister picture, which reminded me of a middle school volleyball team photo. Notice I have super dorky bowling shoes thanks to miniature feet. I think they gave me a kid's pair.

Courtney and I took a cheesy sister picture, which reminds me of a middle school volleyball team photo. We should have put a bowling ball between us to make it goofier. Notice I have super dorky bowling shoes with Velcro closure, I think they gave me a kid’s pair.

Thankfully, no one in our group had any bowling talent whatsoever. There’s nothing worse than being a terrible bowler when you realize your company has their own shoes, monogrammed jacket, and ball (that happened to George and I once). We had much more fun in the company of equally awful bowlers. I managed a few strikes, but rest assured, there were far more gutter balls.

I felt like a teenager when George and I crept home under the cover of darkness as my mom waited up on the sofa. Unlike our teen years, Mom didn’t reprimand us for breaking curfew. Instead, she inquired about our evening and dished what the quads did. My aunt, uncle, and younger cousins stopped by for dinner with our crew. Then, the quads cut the rug with their dance moves, which apparently created an uproar of laughter. (I’m working on capturing their “moves” so I can share them later, because they really are hysterical). Once all stories were sufficiently swapped, we all tiptoed off to bed knowing that four little people would wake us all too soon.

On Sunday morning, George and I woke up around 8:00 am to an eerily quiet house. When we padded into the kitchen, we found the quads situated at the quad table as my parents fed them breakfast. And, that was wonderful!

What’s the best birthday gift you ever received?

hugs!

Amber

World Prematurity Day

November 17, 2013Amber 4 Comments

Today is World Prematurity Day-

Each year approximately 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, with about 500,000 in the United States alone. With each passing day, we are grateful for the health of our four babies who were born nine weeks too soon. I am grateful for the medical care they received prior to birth, our delivery team, our NICU care team, and for the therapists who have helped them thrive since coming home. Each night, I kiss our children and hug them in gratitude for them moments we are given, and try my best not to take them for granted even on the most trying days. I will never forget the days we spent in the NICU, and each night I pray for families currently facing a NICU stay that they find solace and strength.

These images tell just a bit of our NICU stay.

Wires and tubes became part of our normal while in the NICU.

Unlike typical mothers, I did not get to hold my babies for well over a week. This was the moment I held Mason for the first time.

After birth, our babies were each fitted with a CPAP and bonnet to help them breathe. I did not know what my babies looked like for well over a week.

Our eyes adjusted to days of blue lights in our NICU room, helping to remove the billi from our babies’ systems.

The first time we could hold Sydney, I feared breaking her because she was so tiny and fragile.

In the days I yearned to hold my babies, all I could do to comfort them was hold their tiny bodies through portholes in their incubators.

It still makes me shudder recalling the pain Sydney endured as multiples nurses attempted to set a hair thin IV. At one point, her IV could only be placed through her forehead.

hugs,

Amber

Toddler Tips #321: Batten the Hatches

November 14, 2013January 13, 2014Amber 4 Comments

With each passing day, I find myself trying to solve some new challenge with raising four toddlers, aka “quaddlers”. They are a cunning lot who inspires a little ingenuity on my part (and George’s) just to manage day to day life. While my ideas are born from being surrounded by four toddlers, I think many of them could be helpful to any parents of little ones so I’m sharing.

As soon as the babies became mobile, serious baby proofing ensued, starting with baby gates. Sometimes it feels as if we reside in Fort Knox thanks to the baby gates that effectively partition our den. We have a total of three gates- one at the base of the stairs, one between the den and entry way, and another between the den and kitchen.

When the quadlets are awake, the gates do an outstanding job of dividing the baby proof vs adult areas.

When the quadruplets are awake, the gates do an outstanding job of dividing the baby proof vs adult areas. This gate will soon be replaced with a much taller one..they’ve recently began reaching the latch and it’s only a matter of time before they finagle it open. UGH!

I’m thankful for the way we can cordon off our den, creating a mostly toddler proof room. This allows me to dart to the restroom or do a few things in the kitchen while they play. However, baby gates are a nuisance for the rest of us. They separate the dogs from their food and water and we sometimes trip over them.

One evening after we put the quads to bed, George pulled out a few bungee cords and propped the gates open. It was fantastic being able to move about our house without being blocked by gates, and for the dogs to freely drink water. Now it’s part of our evening routine to prop the gates open as soon as everyone is in bed. I also do the same while the quads nap.

After the quads are tucked into their cribs for the night, the gates are more of a nuisance for us and the dogs.

Here’s how we use bungee cords to keep the gates open.

The critical part is to always shut the gates before getting the quads out of bed. Otherwise, the little opportunists scamper into the kitchen and play in the dog’s water.

Typically, the kitchen is off-limits to the quads unless they are in the quad table. Still, all of the cabinets with hazardous chemicals or other dangerous items protected with latches. When we have fussy days, I bring the quads into the kitchen with different toys. They are rejuvenated by novelty and are thrilled to play in otherwise taboo spaces. We have several cabinets that contain things such as pots and Tupperware, which do not have latches. That does not mean I want eight hands exploring said cabinets. To keep my sanity, I use George’s bungee cords to seal the cabinets temporarily. I suppose we could bring bungee cords for when we travel to family member’s homes, or if we ever attempt a vacation.