Multiples

Food Revolution Phase 3: Family Style Meals

Amber 11 Comments

mealtime peace

Dating back to our newlywed days, George and I have eaten dinner together at the table with no interruptions.  Family meals were equally important with the addition of children. When the quads were babies, George constructed a quad feeding table, which worked well for spoon feeding them.   When they were about two years old, we transitioned to a family dinner table, which helped us better enjoy family meals because we were facing each other.  For a while, mealtime was a pleasurable experience, but then it became dreadful.

Eliminating snacks certainly didn’t improve mealtime, and changing our snack menu improved nutrition, but still did not alleviate mealtime stress.  Once again, I was back to the drawing board.  I thought back to a conversation I had with one of our ECI therapists about a year ago.  She too experienced mealtime woes and found the work of Ellyn Satter quite helpful.  The foundation of Ellyn Satter’s work hinges on this principle:

“The parent is responsible for what, when, where. The child is responsible for how much and whether.” – Ellyn Satter Institute (ESI)

I thought we’d done a decent job following this principle as well as many of the other recommendations of the ESI.

  • Served three meals a day at regular times with snacks in between
  • Sat at the table to eat
  • We ate as a family with no interruptions
  • We did not operate as short order cooks and did not limit our menu to appease anyone
  • We always served something the kids would like at meals, and included a satisfying starch
  • We let the kids choose which items from the meal to eat and how much of each item
  • We denied snacks between the regular meal and snack times

Despite all of these long standing mealtime habits, there were disgruntled children at our dinner table and it was unpleasant. Having quadruplets means that many of our daily tasks are completed in an assembly line manner, which makes things efficient and fair.   The kid’s plates were no exception.  In the past, after a meal was prepared, we set out the kids plates, filling them with each part of our meal.  We ended up with four identical plates that were doled out at the table.  During the meal, they were allowed to opt out of eating anything on their plate and were encouraged to put unwanted items to the side.  They could also request more of anything they especially liked.  Yet, there were many nights that kids screeched about something at dinner.   I had one final idea I wanted to attempt.

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While I was cooking dinner, I started asking the kids to set the table, giving each child something to set out.  They took this new responsibility very seriously, and it really helped me because it completed a task and kept them occupied while I was busy. Once the meal was ready, we placed all of the food on the center of  the table.  Then, we’d take each dish, going around the table to ask each child if they wanted any.  If it was an item they could self serve, we let them.  If it was too difficult for them to manage, we’d ask them where (the where is critical) on their plate we should put the food, and how much.  This small change was magical.  Three year olds crave independence and control over anything they can manage.  Giving them the control over what went on their plate and where it went alleviated our mealtime stress.

We’ve been serving all meals in this manner for about a month.  In that time period, not one child has thrown a fit.  In fact, the kids have been extremely complimentary about their meals saying things such as, “I like this meal, Mama!”  (Mind you, they are complimenting the very meals that previously sent them into a tailspin.) They’ve also tried foods they previously denied.  They don’t clean their plate, and I don’t want them to.  Instead, they are eating until they feel satisfied and most of all, they are happy.  Mealtime peace has been restored!

 

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Rylin didn’t want to oblige me for a photo, but her plate is a really good example of how it was designed by her.  She really loves tomatoes and she chose a tomato salad with Japanese dressing on it.  The other three aren’t as keen on tomatoes and opted out.

 

How is dinner served at your house?

 

hugs!

 

Amber

Quadruplets Quoted

Amber 1 Comment

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The kids have been rather gregarious for a while now, but in recent days they’ve been coming up with some hysterical and sometimes heartwarming material.  In fact, I purchased a blank journal for each of them and have done my best to jot down our favorite quotes.  If you follow us on Facebook, you may have seen a few cute ones posted.

This gem comes from Harper.

Harper was busily playing with his rescue vehicles when he announced,

Harper: “Mom!  The fire truck and ambulance are having a baby!”

Me: “Oh really…What kind of baby?” (I was thinking boy or girl)

Harper: “They had a train!”

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Harper and the happy new family!

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Happy Friday! Stay tuned for more quadruplets quoted…

hugs,

Amber

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19 Practical Gifts for Kids

AsideAmber 2 Comments

When birthdays and Christmas approach, our family and friends often ask for gift ideas for the kids. Having four kids generally means four of each thing and it’s easy to become overwhelmed with “stuff”. I’m not against them receiving new toys, but there are also many non-toy options that are practical and loved by the kids.  I also try to keep budget in mind when others ask  for suggestions. As with anything, a favorite character or color always sweetens the deal.  At this time, our girls are interested in anything princess while the boys like superheroes, pirates, and vehicles.  If you are the parent of a toddler or preschooler, or are shopping for one this season, consider some of our favorites.

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RAIN GEAR

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Earlier this season, we invested in rain boots and rain coats for the kids and they were worth every penny.  Their new gear has been practical on the many soggy days we experienced this fall, and I think they will work for the few snow days we’ll see.  The kids are also really proud of their gear and how easy it is for them to put on and take off themselves.  They often choose to wear rain boots even on sunny dry days, which is fine by me since they don’t need any help.

 

BEDTIME

DIY no skid toddler slippers

Our kids are experts at stalling bedtime, but they have a few creature comforts that seem to help.  Right now, the girls prefer wearing “dressy” nightgowns that look more like dress up clothes than pajamas.  When our friends babysat one night, they thought the girls were trying to bamboozle them into allowing dresses for bed rather than pajamas.  The boys aren’t as picky, but they have pajamas with capes attached that are super cute.  Since we have a lot of tile in our house, the kids also like wearing slippers to keep their tootsies cozy.

Each of our kids sleeps with a dream lite pet that projects stars onto the ceiling at night.  It helps them drift off to sleep, and is also comforting to them if they wake up in the night.  The kids haven’t slept in sleeping bags overnight yet, but we’ve found them handy for family movie night, sick days, and time with the grandparents.  We are also practicing sleeping on them for the day we finally take our first road trip.

 

 

HYGIENE

The quads enjoy bath time and don’t mind brushing their teeth, but they prefer hooded bath towels and brush their teeth longer with power toothbrushes.  They also enjoy wearing plush bath robes before and after bath, or anytime they feel chilled in the house.  I have been surprised by how often they ask to wear their robes.

 

DINING

Family Movie Night

The kids are only allowed to eat in the living room for family movie night, and for those occasions, they use a lap tray to keep things tidy.  Their lap trays are also handy for art projects and table top tasks such as puzzles or magnets.  Since they share almost everything, the kids like having their own personal character dishes and cups that are not shared.  Since the kids are getting too big to use our favorite sippy cups, we have replaced them with lidded, insulated cups with a straw they cannot easily remove.

 

SUPPLIES

Last Christmas a family friend gave the quads money to put towards activities.  We enrolled them in summer recreational dance classes and purchased the necessary attire for it with the money.  If your child will be attending preschool or participating in an activity, either the supplies or money to pay for the activity itself could be on the wish list.

 

 

EXPERIENCES

Our kids benefit from getting out of the house to explore the world, but taking four kids out for something simple like ice cream can be expensive.  We have greatly appreciated gift cards to local eateries and memberships to local attractions.  Our kids also enjoy checking the mail everyday to see if their monthly magazine subscription has arrived.  I often toss their magazines in my purse for waiting rooms, the car, or when we visit others.  They are full of stories and activities to occupy them.

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  •  Memberships or tickets for local theme parks, zoos, or museums

  • Gift cards to restaurants with play areas

  • Movie Tickets

  • Magazine Subscriptions

 

When it comes to shopping for young children, gifts don’t have to be expensive or extravagant.  With the exception of memberships, all of the items on our list are under $30, with most in the $10-$15 range.  Sometimes it’s the little things kids appreciate most.  And, more importantly, we set the example for giving and receiving gifts with our children.   Happy Shopping!

 

Hugs,

 

Amber

 

Disclaimer: For your shopping convenience, you can click on any of the items, which will take you to Amazon for additional information.  Should you choose to make a purchase via an Amazon link, Four to Adore will receive a small commission.  We appreciate support for this website!

The Day I Quit Potty Training

Amber 14 Comments

I read all of the books and sought all of the advice before we started potty training. I tought it was do able, but I learned through experience that kids have to be ready developmentally. I was merely presenting the opportunity for them to learn.

Long before becoming a parent, I remember watching both my aunt and cousin struggle to potty train their children.  Both were moms to bright kids with extensive vocabularies, and they were good moms.  These children seemed fully capable of being toilet trained but clearly their parents were committing fatal errors in the process.  Being trained in behaviorism, I had many theories as to why they were failing and didn’t mind dishing out “helpful” advice whether it was requested or not.  Both of these moms struggled for YEARS with potty training their children. I naively believed I would have a smooth potty training experience in my future.  Ideally, my children would be accident free by two years old and would never, ever wear a pull up.

“Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select — doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors.”
–John Watson, Behaviorism, 1930

At age two, Mason and Rylin showed some interest in using the toilet.  We bought a toddler sized potty seat and began modeling for them.  Shortly thereafter they began sitting on their potty seat and occasionally peed.  Victory!!!  Harper and Sydney weren’t as interested, but occasionally sat on the potty seat too.  By about 2.5, the girls were waking up dry in the morning and I felt they were gaining bladder control.  I wasn’t ready to delve into full-fledged potty training, but continued modeling for the kids and added an embedded seat to the toilet with potty stool to their bathroom.  At this point, Rylin was able to keep her pull up dry, but was unable to have a BM in the toilet due to gastrointestinal issues (she sees a specialist for them).  Shortly before the kids turned three, I decided it was time to hunker down and use the “Three Day Method” for all four kids.  I consulted numerous articles, books, and of course, my most powerful resource, other quad moms.

I collected an arsenal of supplies including:

WE WERE READY TO TACKLE POTTY TRAINING QUADRUPLETS!!!!

an embedded potty seat, looster stool and two step stool are handy for potty training

potty training bathroom

light switch

Oxi Clean

little loo potty seats are handy for multiples- they are relatively small, come in many colors, are cheap ($10), and easy to clean

The night before kicking off potty training, we removed all rugs leaving bare tile and plank that could easily be wiped down.  I created clean up stations in key rooms, which included a roll of paper towels, Lysol wipes, and Nature’s Miracle stain remover.  In the bathroom, I kept a stack of fresh undies, books and magazines, and a trash can for soiled clothes.  Knowing potty training quads was too much even for me, I solicited the help of Nisey for three days, and George was off work.  The first morning when the quads woke up, we presented them with their very own personalized potty seats (I put their names on them using stickers to prevent squabbling over a particular seat), new undies, and t-shirts they chose at Target.

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As expected, the first day was rough, there were lots of accidents.  Fortunately, there were many successes too.  Even Harper who never successfully peed on the potty learned this skill.  On the second and third day, the kids were getting the hang of peeing on the toilet, but not one would poop.  I consulted other moms of multiples and discovered that many kids took several weeks before they consistently pooped the toilet even though their parents considered them “trained” after the three days.  I took comfort knowing this and we continued the potty training process.  Nearly a month later not one child pooped on the potty.  Ever.  Some accidents were so bad that I cut undies off the child so I wouldn’t have to pull the mess over their legs. Numerous undies made it to the trash.  I felt defeated.  What was I to do?  Call the Worst Potty Trainer for advice, of course.

I know, who would call the person who admittedly failed at potty training not once, but three times?  Me because I FINALLY understood why she failed.  When I called my cousin, Jennifer, self-proclaimed worst potty trainer ever, I could hear her husband laughing audibly in the background.  I wasn’t seeking advice to “fix” the problem or to magically train the children.  I knew I presented the opportunity for success, but for one reason or another they weren’t ready for it.  I needed reassurance that it was okay to stop with all the pressure and let the kids wear pull ups, for their comfort and my sanity.  (At this point my sanity was hanging on by a thread).  Jennifer taught me a new mantra that I repeat in my head multiple times per day,

“Absent extenuating health issues or extraordinary circumstances, your pre-schooler will not go to kindergarten pooping in his or her pants.” -Jennifer Knott, Confessions of a Pastor’s Family

Jennifer also gave me this piece of wisdom,

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

God’s desire is for us not to worry.

After our conversation, I put all the undies away and added Pampers Easy Ups Training Pants to my monthly subscribe and save with Amazon mom.  And, more importantly, I breathed a sigh of relief.  I let go of all the pressure to “train the kids”.  I left all the potty seats in the bathroom and continued praise for success, but the stresses of watching for signs, cleaning up messes, and utter frustration were relieved.  About four or five weeks after quitting potty training, Mason disappeared from the dinner table.  I thought he headed to the playroom, but soon heard a little voice proclaim, “I pooped on the potty!!!!”  Everyone leapt from their seats to confirm his claim.  The other three kids screeched in delight saying, “Mace, YOU DID IT!!!!”  We all beamed in pride.  And you know what?  Mason has continued using the toilet independently for weeks.  The others aren’t quite there, but they’ve had successes here and there, and they will go to kindergarten using the potty.  I’m done potty training, and I’m good with that.  Our attention has shifted more to one of “toilet learning” than toilet training, and it’s much less stressful for all of us.

P. S. I’m fully aware of the MANY potty training techniques available to get the job done, and I bet I’ve tried the majority of them.  I know that numerous parents have met success with such techniques.  You may even be tempted to share your own nuggets of advice, but please just keep them to yourself 😉

Related Articles:

Advice from the World’s Worst Potty Trainer

Potty Training Twins: A Series of Stops and Starts

Potty Training Quadruplets- 101

Potty Training- The Scoop!

Toilet Learning vs Toilet Training

You’re Doing it Wrong: 48 Tips from the Worst Potty Trainer, Ever

Buy One, Get One Free

Amber 3 Comments

When I was a child, my mother always made my Halloween costumes, and she was quite creative.  I went through a few years of wanting to be things instead of people.  Long before the invent of Pinterest, mom managed to craft costumes including a bag of M & M candies, a shocking pink Crayola Crayon, and a bunch of purple grapes.  When the quads arrived, I was determined to follow her example of creating cute costumes without spending much, if any money.

When the quads were infants, Aunt CiCi made them mummy onsies.  The next year, we used white t-shirts to make four of a kind playing cards.  When they were two years old, we went as Noah’s Ark; the kids wore animal print clothing with coordinating ears and tails.  These first few Halloweens, the quads tolerated whatever I chose for them.  As threenagers they weren’t quite so complacent.  In the weeks leading up to Halloween, the excitement over the holiday began.  Throughout the day they’d inform me what costume they intended to wear, which primarily consisted of favorite television show characters.  Feeling defeated, I decided I would take them to Target to choose their own costumes (gasp!)  Much to my delight, Target was running a buy one, get one free sale on children’s Halloween costumes.  If I was going to fork out cash for Halloween costumes, at least I’d get them for a bargain.

Here are Mommy's Mummies handmade by Aunt CiCi herself!

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©FourtoAdore.com

After cruising the crowded costume aisles several times over, each child chose their own costume.  I could hardly contain my excitement when they managed to coordinate with one another as superheroes: Supergirl, Captain America, and Spiderman.  Proving the purchase was worthwhile, the quads wore their costumes nearly everyday after we brought them home.  And, I believe they will continue wearing them throughout the year.

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Mason wasn’t keen on the Spidey mask so I found a Spiderman baseball hat at Target for him to wear instead.  Rylin added her own flare to her costume by adding a sparkling tiara. Harper and Sydney were excited that they were compliments to one another.

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Our neighborhood is the perfect place for trick or treating.  As soon as the sun begins setting, families clad in Halloween costumes begin lining the sidewalks.  Homeowners (or kind relatives) perch on the driveways sharing treats while spooky music fills the air.  There are so many trick or treaters, most people realize that closing the front door is a fruitless effort.  Some families leave a clever note and basket of treats on the porch while they enjoy the festivities for themselves.

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The quads had a hard time understanding the concept of taking only one treat from a bucket so I had to keep an eye on them.

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Sometimes the treats looked so yummy, we had to stop walking to nosh on one.

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Once we were back at the house, the kids began tearing through their treat buckets for goodies.  We let them choose a few favorites before confiscating the haul.  Sneakily, we distracted them by charging them with passing out treats for our visitors.

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How did you spend your Halloween night?

Hugs!

Amber

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Our Home is Not a Pottery Barn Catalog

Amber 17 Comments

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Long before our kids made their debut, George and I loved conquering DIY projects and decorating our home. We are quite thrifty and find joy in such projects. Every project begins with inspiration, and many times it’s from a design site, or my favorite, the Pottery Barn catalog. Oh how the Pottery Barn catalog speaks to my inner designer’s heart. Everything is always impeccably tidy and organized, yet inviting and warm. Whether there’s a dining room set to host a meal or a cozy sofa by the fireplace, I’d love to jump right in. While I come up with some fantastic Pottery Barn hacks, looking at these glossy pages sometimes skews my expectations for our home.

Is our home well-designed, cozy, and inviting? I believe so, and our friends and family seem to agree. Our home is filled with heart and it’s the very place where an abundance of family memories are made, but it’s no Pottery Barn catalog.  Every night after all of the children are snug in their beds, I scurry around the house working to fight clutter.  Though the kids tidied up themselves, there are always stray toys posing as tripping hazards, a sink of dirty dishes, dirty shoes and clothes littering the floor.  And that’s just the clutter.  Let’s not even entertain the dust bunnies, finger prints, and pet dander (I try to ignore those things when possible because there’s never enough hours in a day).

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Once the kids were in toddler beds, unbelievable shenanigans ensued.  I’m talking, flipped beds, stripped boys, peeing contests, drawer emptying, clothes swapping.  We thought if we moved the boys into bigger, heavier beds some of this would stop.  Nope.  This pair is clever and has an uncanny way at finding solutions to any problem they encounter.  We pray they develop their curiosity and ingenuity to future careers…

Because of this, the boy’s room isn’t quite up to par with the girl’s grown up room, but it’s okay.  It’s real.  They have the same DIY Jenny Lind headboards attached to the wall.  They have some artwork, which is also secured to the wall and out of reach as they’ve been known to hang from paintings, snapping the picture wire.  Harper no longer has a foundation to his bed since he developed a routine of turning the mattress to create a teeter totter, which he told us was his car.  Their lamp is on the hutch, far out of reach since they dangled it by the cord and said it was their lantern.

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Bedtime is full of epic stalling techniques.  Once these four created a bridge of kitchen stools and began chanting in delight.

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My seagrass baskets meant to conceal toys in the den are often tipped over, allowing kids to crawl into the entertainment center.

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This was one of the girls’ “masterpieces” created during nap time one afternoon.

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A while back, I developed a habit of making our bed.  It takes about 90 seconds and makes me feel more accomplished as I begin the day.  However, little people are known to sabotage my efforts by hiding among the pillows.  Frustrating as it can be, they are simply adorable when they do this.

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There are days when all of the clutter and grime in the house makes me feel anxious.  I wonder to myself why it isn’t like a Pottery Barn catalog.  Why can’t I keep things in a better state?  Well, duh!  OUR HOME IS NOT A POTTERY BARN CATALOG!   Families don’t live in catalogs, they are merely spaces created by designers to sell products.  They are void of all the love and joy of a home, and memories are not made there.  I’ll probably always continue my battle against clutter and work endlessly to keep things as tidy as possible, but it won’t be because I’m striving for a catalog photo shoot.  These things will continue because I’m the type of person who thrives in an orderly state and I simply cannot let it completely go.  I can change my state of mind, however.  Instead of feeling defeated, I can recall the events of the day.  When I trip over a Hot Wheel or Lego, I can remember the kids building a mighty tower and racing cars together and pick them up with a joyous heart.

Maybe it’s not a Pottery Barn catalog that makes you feel as though you don’t measure up.  Perhaps it’s your friend’s Facebook photos of glamorous vacations and hip parties.  Maybe it’s a coworker who easily meets goals, or the friend who eats a strictly organic diet and runs marathons.  Whatever the case, remember where your heart is, and stop making comparisons.

hugs,

Amber

Related Posts:

The Gifts of Infertility & Miscarriage

Are You Missing Your Child’s Now

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Rain or Shine

Amber 3 Comments
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Last year, the quads visited a pumpkin patch for the first time, and I knew it should become a family tradition.  There’s something about taking a hayride on a crisp day and the sight of bright orange pumpkins littering an open field that signals onset of autumn.  However, here in Texas most October days felt like summer with temperatures in the 80-90’s.  This summery weather stifled our autumn spirit.  When this weekend promised a cool front, we promised four little people a trip to the pumpkin patch.  Unfortunately, the cool front was accompanied by torrential rain, which did not bode well for our plans.  After our local meteorologist promised a slight reprieve in the afternoon, George and I knew we needed to keep good on our promise.  Anticipating plenty of mud, we took the kids to Payless Shoes to score some new kicks appropriate for mud.  They were trilled at finding rain boots clad beloved characters: Minnie Mouse, Spiderman, Anna & Elsa, and Lightning McQueen.  The boys were equally ecstatic we had an occasion for them to wear batman rain coats.

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©FourtoAdore.com

The boys proudly hauled their pumpkins into the farm-house for purchase.  These pumpkins will decorate or porch for Halloween, and then will be roasted for spiced pumpkin soup next month.

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The kid’s rain boots proved worth every penny we spent on them.  Rylin happily twirled, hopped, and splashed about an enormous puddle.

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Though many of the typical farm activities weren’t open due to the weather, the kids enjoyed visiting the rabbit, chickens, and farm dog.   They also experienced a see saw for the first time.  Unfortunately, see saws are quite dangerous and required close supervision, hence, not photos.  Sorry, folks!

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Things don’t always go as we originally envision, but when we embrace life, they can be better than we imagined.  I’m glad we didn’t let a little rain and mud spoil our plans because we made the best kind of memories in the moment.

Hugs,

Amber

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Jenny Lind Crib Upcycle: Twin Headboards

Amber 19 Comments

Shortly after the quads turned three, we decided it was time to move them from toddler beds to twin beds.  Originally we planned on keeping toddler beds until four, but the boys were driving me INSANE with bedtime shenanigans, but that’s another story.  Switching to twin beds meant we’d need some new furniture and decor.  Knowing that our boys had a history of destruction we had several guidelines 1. furniture and artwork would be bolted to the walls 2. furniture needed to be relatively small since the kids share tiny rooms 3. we weren’t going to break the bank buying things.  After cruising Pinterest, I fell in love with the Jenny Lind style beds seen on many design sites. I had a huge problem with the price tag, however.

Though it was a long shot, we started skimming Craigslist ads and local antique stores for vintage Jenny Lind beds.  Every antique dealer we spoke with told us finding a matching pair of antique beds was slim and four was highly unlikely, but we kept searching.  One afternoon, I spotted dismantled Jenny Lind cribs (I thought they were twin beds) outside a nearby antique shop on the driveway.  I commanded George to pull in so I could check them out. After chatting with the owner, I had step by step directions for converting the cribs to twin sized head boards.  It was serendipity that she had two cribs, which would convert perfectly into four headboards.  All four pieces cost $100 together, so not shabby!  She already weathered them by leaving them outside for weeks, allowing the rain and sun to crackle the finish and give the wood a shabby chic appearance.

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Our cribs looked like this when we brought them home.  To get the look, follow the steps below.

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1. Lightly sand the rough edges and make sure there is no loose stain remaining.  There is no need to sand thoroughly because you’ll be spray painting over everything.

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2. Remove any dust from the sanded surface with a soft brush or cloth.

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3. Using inexpensive white spray paint ($.97), prime all surfaces.  You can use your thumb to spray if your finger gets tired, or use a spray paint trigger.  I thought the trigger helped with control, giving a more even coat.

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spray paint trigger
4. Once the primer is dry, cover everything with about three coats of Rust-oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover Paint Primer in your desired color.  For the boys, we used Apple Red.  We used Key Lime for the girls.

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©FourtoAdore.com Rust oleum Key Lime paint/ primer

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5. Allow paint to dry for about 24 hours.

6. Determine where you’d like your headboard to be secured to the wall.  Then, drill pilot holes through the headboard and mark the corresponding place on the wall.  Using drywall anchors, attach the headboard to the wall.  We secured ours in four points.

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©FourtoAdore.com

Having the beds secured to the walls was critical for the boys.  They are experts at dismantling things, hence the need for big boy furniture.

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7. Arrange your bed’s foundation and mattress in front of the headboard.

We warmed up the girl’s space by painting an accent wall gray then creating a collage of accessories mostly found at Hobby Lobby.  I snapped the black and white picture of them myself and mounted it to a canvas.  The toe shoes were in my room as a child.  All of their linens were found at Home Goods.

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At this point, the boys are not ready for their quilts or many accessories.  Their room isn’t looking as spiffy with sheets only on the beds and a barren nightstand, which is a sobering reminder to me that we do not actually live in a Pottery Barn catalog.  At some point, I’ll get around to snapping pictures of their new digs.

hugs!

Amber

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Tiny Feet, Big Impressions

Amber 3 Comments

Since I was expecting quadruplets I knew my babies would have a NICU stay, and I knew it would be difficult. In the months that led up to delivery, I communicated with other moms of quadruplets and braced myself for the inevitable.  In the first week or so, I was managing NICU life relatively well, but as the days and weeks passed, it wore on my heart. Seeing my babies struggle each day hurt.  About that time, our hospital’s resident art therapist, Diana, paid us a visit and the timing was impeccable.  Diana bonded with our family immediately and quickly began working on a masterpiece.   As the years pass and NICU life fades into memories, this piece of art remains as a salient reminder of just how much our babies have grown.  Right now, the painting is housed in our study’s curio cabinet, but at every birthday celebration, it’s a centerpiece of the party decor.

we got a bath and clothes016

Sydney was so tiny that preemie sized clothes were far too large.  Her foot was about the length of my thumb.

we got a bath and clothes019

we got a bath and clothes022

©FourtoAdore.com

Exactly three years and two days after meeting Diana, the kids and I returned to the hospital for a specialist appointment.  The appointment was at 8:30 am and I was running solo, which meant it was a huge undertaking to get everyone ready.  I decided for the amount of effort required to go to this appointment, we’d make it into a day long field trip.  Following the appointment, we stopped by the Build a Bear workshop where the quads beloved teddy bears were born.  There, each of the kids bought undies for their bear.  Next, we popped by Starbucks where I treated myself to a caramel frapuccino to sip while the kids darted about the play area.  The kids had a blast exploring the hospital where they were once long term residents.

©FourtoAdore.com

build a bear undies

  

Just as it was time to head home, I spotted the smiling face of a woman clad in splatter paint from head to toe.  It was none other than Diana herself!  Though it had been three years and the quads had grown, she remembered us immediately.  I am forever grateful for the gift of art Diana gave us at a difficult time, and I can only imagine the many hearts she’s touched and will touch.   Reuniting with Diana was the perfect opportunity to thank her for the impression she made years prior. Sometimes it really is the little things that leave the biggest impression on us.

Hugs!

Amber

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Indoor Play Areas & Play Dates {Summer Bucket List}

Amber Leave a comment

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.

©FourtoAdore.com

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.

©FourtoAdore.com

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.

©FourtoAdore.com

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.

©FourtoAdore.com

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.

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com
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!

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com
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.

©FourtoAdore.com

©FourtoAdore.com

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!

  1. Movies
  2. Sea Life Aquarium
  3. Train ride
  4. Fire station tour
  5. Library story time
  6. Sprayground
  7. Zoo
  8. Bahama Buck’s
  9. Frozen yogurt
  10. Community pool
  11. Grill dinner outside
  12. Water Table
  13. Inflatable Pool
  14. Sprinklers
  15. Ice Cream
  16. Indoor playgrounds
  17. Lee’s Grilled Cheese
  18. Blow bubbles
  19. Chalk drawings
  20. Board games
  21. Play dates
  22. Summer Reading Club
  23. Dance classes
  24. Fireworks
  25. Sleep over with grandparents
  26. Nature Walks
  27. Bounce house
  28. Popsicles
  29. S’mores
  30. Sparklers
  31. Water pistol duels

hugs,

Amber

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