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
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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.
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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!
For their first birthday, the quads received a mini inflatable bounce house from a family friend. Although there tends to be a short season when we can use it, this toy earns it’s keep at our house. It’s very popular with the neighborhood kids and about 30 minutes of bouncing almost always guarantees a good nap (my favorite part!).
Thanks to torrential floods early in the summer, we only enjoyed the bounce house a few times. One temperate day we decided to grill burgers while the kids bounced. Almost as soon as dinner was finished, we began to feel tiny droplets of rain. George and I sprung into action, deflating the bounce house and folding it to keep it dry.
Mason was pleased with himself when he independently captured Diamond for a snuggle.
Rylin and I decided to enjoy watching the rest of our family dance in the rain from our dry porch.
Last summer we visited the Sea Life Aquarium and the babies really enjoyed it. I wanted to revisit again this year because I knew they’d understand even more of it. Just like with the zoo, we went right before they turned three so their admission would still be gratis.
All summer we practiced getting out without strollers and the kids proved themselves quite capable of walking independently. I knew the aquarium would be lots of walking, but figured we were up for the challenge. I asked Grandaddy and Carol to join us for the quadventure, which made getting around stroller free much easier.
All four kids were in awe of the sting rays who greeted us, and this year they were able to identify the sting rays as well as many of the other creatures.
They were impressed by the dome-shaped aquariums that made them feel part of the scene.
After exploring the aquarium, we headed to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. The wait was shockingly long for a weekday at 11:00 am. Thankfully the shop and animated animals entertained the kids.
Later that evening we asked the kids what they liked best about the aquarium and several mentioned the crocodile with pennies in his mouth. I couldn’t recall seeing this fella at the aquarium, but then realized they meant the animated crocodile outside the Rainforest Cafe.
Either in the morning or before bedtime, we take a walk around the neighborhood together. I picked up tin buckets from Target’s One Spot, and sometimes the kids bring them to collect treasures found on our walk. They received butterfly nets as birthday gifts, and we take them along sometimes. We haven’t captured a butterfly yet, but George caught another flying insect one night.
It’s always a great adventure searching for acorns, pebbles, flower petals, and leaves. Taking walks together has been great for burning off extra energy, making and sharing observations, chatting with our neighbors, exploring the world, and practicing walking independently. Since the kids do really well walking together, we rarely ever use strollers and are less reliant upon cart containment in stores.
When we take walks close to bedtime, the kids usually wear pajamas.
In our neighborhood, there’s a wide walking trail that curves around a creek. It’s the perfect place to spy animals in their habitats. We have to keep an eye out for snakes though (YIKES!!!).
Birthday parties are one of the few times it’s more cost-effective to have four children at the same time. Instead of hosting four parties throughout the year, we throw one big bash for four kids. For the big one, we hosted a splash party at our home, and when they turned two we had a pirates and princesses soirée at the house. I enjoy decking the house for parties, but it’s hot outside in July and guests end up cramped in the den. This year I decided the party would be away from home with limited prep and clean up. We rented a local church’s jungle themed playscape. I ran with the existing decor for a safari party. My friend, Amber, designed custom invitations, which I printed myself. She is expanding her Etsy shop, Texas Take, to include invitations and other printables. For your next shindig, check out her collection. If you don’t see something that fits your theme, she can create something unique for you.
I was disappointed at the lack of safari party supplies and favors at our local party and big box stores, but Amazon did not disappoint. I scored paper bags at Hobby Lobby in the kid’s colors and filled them with Amazon trinkets including: neon animal print pencils, animal print notebooks, make-a-zoo animal sticker sheets, and flashlight key chains, all of which coincidentally came in the same four colors as the bags. I also ordered each party guest a beige pith helmet to add to our party ambiance. Keeping with our prior party tradition, my friend Jen, snapped photos of the party. It means so much to me that she takes pictures because if it were up to me, we’d get home without a single picture. I struggle to host parties and preserve memories of them at the same time.
Since our party wasn’t at home, our menu consisted of easy to prep and serve kid-friendly fare: fresh fruit, veggie straws, animal crackers, popcorn, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and juice boxes. I intended on ordering a Costco sheet cake too, but George insisted on baking and decorating blue and pink velvet cupcakes himself. He did a fantastic job!
As part of our party decor, I printed our three-year photos Jen shot the week prior and mounted them onto canvas using a tutorial from Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body. My little project set me back about $20 and maybe 30 minutes of time. I believe I’ll be making many more canvas photos in the future.
As party guests arrived, we snapped a quick family photo. As usual, we weren’t successful in capturing four smiling kids, but we got this one.
Our venue was ideal for our mix of party guests. The quad’s little guests included another set of quads, a set of triplets, two sets of twins, and five singletons. If you do the math, that’s lots of little people! We also had their teenage cousins, parents, and grandparents at the party. The littlest ones were content hanging out on the playscape while the older kids (and adults) were entertained by the arcade.
This year, we sang Happy Birthday to each of the kids individually. They may share a birth date, but they are individual people so I try to honor that. Rylin and Harper were slightly bashful, while Sydney soaked up the limelight and danced to the tune.
When it was time to open gifts, we lined the kids up at a table where they could be seated. It worked really well for organization.
We managed to wrangle up both sets of quads for a quad squared photo. EIGHT three-year olds and two Ambers in one frame. Wheesh!
Just before the quads turned three, we took one last trip to the Fort Worth Zoo while the kids still enjoyed free admission. We thought it was ideal summer weather with cooler than average temperatures and cloudy skies. Shortly after our arrival, the skies fell and showered us in a drizzle. We were able to take cover while also feeding the Koi. The humidity following the rain chased us home sooner than we planned. Texas humidity is miserable!
The kids received zoo memberships as a birthday gift so we’ll enjoy many more zoo visits this year! We are really looking forward to the seasonal activities the zoo hosts annually.
Starting in June, we went to the library every Wednesday morning for preschool story time. Following story time, we headed to the children’s section where we spent about thirty minutes perusing books. Before leaving, each child chose two books and a DVD to borrow for the week (thankfully our library system allows each borrower to check out 99 items). To protect our loaner materials, we kept them in a basket on top of the refrigerator out of reach for little hands.
Since library story time typically includes a craft, we haven’t done many projects at home this summer. I really enjoy crafts with the kids so I came up with one to accompany our book/ DVD rental of Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. We made a cow using a paper plate, googly eyes, scraps of construction paper and glue sticks. The majority of the crafts done at the library involve glue sticks so I thought a little practice at home was appropriate.
I always love how when given the same materials, each child’s artwork is unique.
Every night before bed, we choose two of the books to read on the sofa. Sitting on the sofa gives everyone a decent view of the pictures.
For every 15 minutes we read to the kids, they earned a check on their Summer Reading Club chart. Each time they filled a row on the chart, they earned a bag of prizes from the library. We didn’t quite fill up the entire chart before the Summer Reading Club was finished, but they earned plenty of trinkets and had fun doing it. Even though the Summer Reading Club ended, we still visit the library regularly and read daily to help the quads build vocabulary, develop early literacy skills, and use their imaginations. Today I stumbled upon an article on Huffington Post about how reading to young children impacts brain development.
I remember running through the sprinkler on hot summer days as a kid and wanted the quads to have the same experience. I found this Banzai Wiggling Water Sprinkler, which is perfect for a lot of kids since it stretches long rather than spraying one small area. Since the quads aren’t huge fans of surprise sprays to the face I left the water running on low pressure, just enough to spritz them. The boys and Sydney had a blast running through the sprayers, but Rylin was not interested at all. Instead, she stayed cozy and dry on the sidelines.
As summer comes to a close, I’m furiously trying to update our summer bucket list. Stay tuned!
, which is perfect for a lot of kids since it stretches long rather than spraying one small area. Since the quads aren’t huge fans of surprise sprays to the face I left the water running on low pressure, just enough to spritz them. The boys and Sydney had a blast running through the sprayers, but Rylin was not interested at all. Instead, she stayed cozy and dry on the sidelines.
Four to Adore 