For Your Viewing Pleasure...

Brought to you by C. Parrish Photography.

Chuck Parrish did an amazing job capturing some great pics of our family. These are the pics from our first "real" photo shoot when the babies were 3 months old. Sorry were just getting around to posting them! Here are some of our favorites!

L-R Kylee, Baxlyn, Brody & Korbin

Korbin Lee

Kylee Mae

Brody Coleman

Baxlyn Hope

Our ever-so-sweet girls!

The Brothers

Thank you again, Chuck and Angela, for capturing these pics of our sweet babies!

To learn more about C. Parrish Photography click here!

Coming to you live from Baby Land!

"Hey Guys! Korbin here. We babies thought we would write our own post this time. Guess what I did last Sunday for the first time... I ROLLED OVER! Yep I about knocked mom off her feet when she went to lay Baxlyn next to me and BAM! there I went, from my stomach to my back. Yeah I'm big. Remember when I went to the ER and was admitted a month or so ago because I got a lil choked on my meds and turned blue... well mom and dad have come really close to calling 911 again several times since then so mom took me to a GI doctor this week. She was a lil upset because he kinda blew it off and said it wasn't 'dangerous, just scary' when I turn blue and stop breathing for minutes at a time. So she is going to take me somewhere else. Other than that I am doing fantastic! I eat well and sleep all night thanks to this thing on the side of my hand I can suck on when I wake up. My reflux has gotten a little worse which is normal for us preemies to go through. Just a few more bibs and outfits a day, no biggie!"

"Here's me and all my cuteness"

"Hello friends, Baxlyn here! You think Korbin is great for rolling over... well Friday I DID IT TOO! I'm doing great and am still mommy's tiny cheeser baby. Mom says I'm so cute she doesn't know what she's gonna do with me sometimes! Unlike Korbin, my reflux has gotten a little bit better. I haven't had to have my crib sheets changed in days! They put me to bed around 7:30 and I lay there sometimes for hours just looking around until I finally fall asleep. Every once in a while I will puke up my last bottle of the day therefore I need another 2 ounces or so during the night to hold me over, other than that I do great during the night!"

"Here's my cheeser face"

"Mom & Dad spend their money on these cool toy things, but nothing beats the thing on the ceiling that goes round and round... it's the coolest!"

"Hey Hey, Kylee taking over now! I'm going more and more bald by the day around here and it's making it hard for some people to tell sis and I apart. What hair I do have left is turning blonde, mommy likes that! I'm not rolling over like Korbin and Baxlyn but I still rock at tummy time. I'm really good at holding my head up high and looking at toys. My favorite thing is the TV. Mom doesn't let us watched it much, it is rarely on but I am sure every morning to stretch my neck off to look at it just to check. I too, like that thing on the ceiling even though it doesn't always move. I am getting more and more smiley everyday. Watch out when I learn to kiss, they will be BIG kisses and I'll be the one to slobber you up like a big puppy!"

"Me and my beautiful baldness"

"Here's Baxlyn and I having a good time with one of our favorite toys from the Gerwer Quads!"


"Yo Yo, Big Bro-Man here! I'm so big it's not even funny. Mom and dad have even started the discussion of new car seats because of me. I won't need a new one for a while, but it won't be too long. Unlike the others I am now wearing a size 2 diaper! My cheeks are pure lip magnets now days and my hair is thinning like an old man's. I'm not rolling over yet either and although I'm tolerating tummy time better it's still hard holding my head up, but I will get there! I have a special way of melting moms heart. I watch her walk around cleaning and taking care of the other babies and I will catch her eye and give her a little innocent smile... it makes her day. Sometimes, she thinks I have a heart of gold... but I let her know at other times that I don't :) Last night I bounced my little gut around while giggling for the first time, it was great mom almost cried! Every time mom did this little fake sneeze thing it scared the daylights out of me and I thought it was pretty funny."

"Sweet Me"



"Mom & Dad have been doing good. Mom is still sane and can still somehow stay on top of things as far as laundry and stuff goes. Dad is busy with work and getting his real estate license, he is determined to get us out of our little house and give us each our own room one day. They are still busy trying to get the cranial helmets for us we have another appointment at a different place this week... pray about that please! We are all, except Brody, still in size one diapers and are starting to wear some of our 3-6month clothes! One of our favorite times of the day is when Daddy comes home. After he changes clothes and washes up he sits and talks to us on the couch or in our bouncy chairs. We laugh, dad gets to practice his high pitched squeaky voice he swore he would never use and mom gets a much needed little break."


"This one is from yesterday, it's the very first picture of us all smiling at the same time!"

"Well it's almost feeding time here in baby land we better go. Hope you enjoyed!"

-Brody Baxlyn Kylee & Korbin

Congrats Anna and Mason!

Two our our best friends Anna and Mason got married on Pensacola Beach and I was a bridesmaid who well.... wasn't actually going to be in the wedding. Who can leave their 5 month old quadruplets hundreds of miles behind to go hit the beach for a few days???? I CAN!!! Ok so I wasn't gone for daaayys... I left Monday afternoon and got back today (Wednesday) afternoon.

I enjoyed every second of the trip (except when I got stung by a jellyfish ugh) especially finally getting a chance to swim... well I guess we should call it standing in the water staring for fish and other things that might get me and occasionally jumping into waves! Best part of all, Anna had no idea I would be there! As far as she knew I would help with the planning and be present at the reception held here in Texas when they get back. Bret and I wanted to both go, but still don't feel comfortable leaving the babies with others for that long of a time so I went alone...it's ok he went to Branson last month without me :]

At her shower L-R Sarah, Myself, Bethany

& Anna below us.

Below is a pic of some of us at the nail shop the day before they left. Before we left Anna explained to me how she was going to take my flowers to Florida and put them in the sand where I would stand... little did she know!

Korbin was the only one awake right before I left to catch the plane so he got most of my goodbye love. I gave the others a little kiss and walked out the door. It wasn't too bad actually, I knew it was for just over a day and it would be totally worth it to be at Anna's wedding.

Mommy & Korbin's goodbye!

Anna was super surprised when she saw me walk in during the rehearsal, it was priceless! After a long tearful hug I told her there was no way I could miss her wedding!

One lucky guy and his beautiful bride!

The wedding party.

Bethany and I looking for those dang scary jellyfish.

My Anna and I.

LOVE YOU BABE!!!!!!!

Randomness...

Kind of a random blog here covering multiple subjects!

First of all update on the last blog. Bad news, insurance is refusing to cover the cranial bands... ugh. So-called "good news" the company will "discount" the bands for us to $2500 each... thanks guys but that's still not gonna happen. We checked out another cranial place that our our insurance covers "rarely" they said. Have an appointment there in a couple of weeks. Several doctors have written letters to the insurance company trying to persuade them so we have not given up hope just yet. Were still certain it will work out somehow.

To answer the question from the reader on the last blog. The "Quads Rule" onesies some friends had made for us. No idea where, you might try an online printing place??? We love them! The hair bows, I assume you are asking about the red ones they wore on the 4th of July. We bought them at a place called Kid-to Kid, a cute shop who buys and sells gently used kids clothing and accessories (the bows are not used). They have a huge selection of sizes and colors. These particular ones ran about $8 a little pricey BUT I figure spend eight bucks and it will last a long time rather than buying a set or 4 at Wal Mart for $5 that they'll grow out of in a month. They are made of nylon material so they'll continue to stretch with their growing heads!

Babies practicing their torture... I mean tummy time. They hate it.

Korbin found his thumb, I love it! It takes him a while and he scratches the HECK out of himself trying to find it but he eventually does and goes to town! As you can see he doesn't really know what to do with the other fingers yet so there's always one or two in his eye... up his nose... all over the place :)

Korbin and Baxlyn went to the developmental pedi this week. They were weighed for the first time since their 4 month check up. At 4 months Baxlyn weighed 9lbs 8oz and Korbin 10lbs 3oz. I was thinking by now Baxlyn should be close to 10lbs... try 10lbs 12oz!!!! In just three weeks... crazy! Korbin now at 11lbs 5oz! I'm thinking Brody has to be pushing 13 by now... geez!

Brody has been the only one without his bumbo until now (thanks Worsham family!) so I had to get a pic of them all together. They're still a little bit small for them but not too much longer.

Some GREAT news, they are all sleeping through the night :) Rarely someone will have a little meltdown at 5am-ish, but for the most part they go from about 8pm-8am! YAY babies!

L-R Baxlyn, Kylee, Korbin, Brody

Last but not least HAIR LOSS... not daddy.... yes the babies are all loosing their hair. Baxlyn has always been on the bald side, on top anyways. Last Monday Bret and I noticed Kylee's at the same time, it was all of a sudden the girl was bald. The whole right side, top, and back has hardly any hair at all. I was holding her the other day kissing the top of her head and wondered why my lips were hairy (nice picture I know) and I realized her hair was falling out like a shedding dog... eww! I immediately went to Brody and sure enough his pretty hair is fading away as well... one little pull and i can get like 20 hairs. Korbin is loosing his but only like 2 at a time :)

Much more to post soon enough!

-Heather

Our Cranial Tech Visit

Whew it was a long busy day in quadville today! Bret and I went to Dallas to Cranial Technologies for the quads consultation for their cranial bands. Upon arriving they put us in a nice over sized room where we could fit the six of us, a therapist or two, and two mega sized strollers. It was soo nice, were used to having to squeeze into those little closet sized examination rooms when we go to most doctors offices. Good thing too, we were there for more than 3 hours :/

Anyways we set the babies on the table surrounded by toys and things to keep them occupied and undressed each so they could be photographed, measured, and examined. Baxlyn was the only one not being examined because her little head is beautifully rounded (so we thought anyways).

My Cheeser: "Ha Ha guys... I don't have to wear one!"

Brody: "You kidding me, I'm Brody I can take anything, bring it on!"

Kylee: "You want to put a what on my (now bald) head?"


Korbin: "....whatever... just don't take my monkey..."



One by one they were taken into another room to have yet another photo shoot. The therapists got pictures from every angle to look at each head. They all have moderate to severe positional plagiocephaly which is is a malformation of the head marked by an oblique slant to the main axis of the skull. Torticollis, hydrocephalus (Brody), confined inter uterine environment (them being extremely crammed inside of me), and medically dictated positioning requirements in the NICU are a few possible reasons why the babies have plagiocephaly.


We discussed with the therapist our concerns with Brody and him having both the shunt and a helmet. She assured us they do put helmets on babies with shunts often and have never had a problem. She said the doctor will look at his case very carefully and consider his situation and if a band can be made without compromising his shunt. Bret and I have decided to proceed with much caution and let Brody have the helmet assuming the doctor gives the OK. So, what happens if they can't? Not sure. Back in the day they used to do actual surgery on the skull to correct it but it is extremely invasive and it is rarely done now. Below is a pic somewhat showing the flatness of Brody's head. He favors the right side of the his head therefore it is flat and his growing brain is pushing outward wherever it can, towards the top right and back left of his head where there s no pressure.



We realized after today's visit the torticollis and plagiocephaly was a bigger deal than we thought... more than a cosmetic flaw. In the pics they took you can see a significant amount of cranial vault asymmetry & facial asymmetry as well. The torticollis (if not treated by therapy and intensive stretching) will continue to pull at the muscles, tendons, and bones causing more severe asymmetry and can affect their inner ears, eyes, airways, even down to their shoulders and spine.

The trio hanging out while Brody was gone to the camera room.


Had to add this pic of Kylee showing of her fantastic tummy time (HEAD LIFTING!) skills!
SOO proud of her!

As far as Miss Baxlyn, she didn't luck out with not getting a helmet after all. We had her examined to be sure and she fell just past the moderate line for plagiocephaly. Not near as major as the others, but it's definitely there. They said there's a small chance it would correct itself, but we feel we might as well take care of it just in case and while her skull is still moldable.
Sorry Baby B!


We don't know exactly when the babies will get the helmets or how long they will have to wear them. We assume they will get them asap and will wear them for several months. We should be getting a phone call within the next day or so to discuss the costs of these helmets. We know they are several thousand dollars (PER BABY) and are PRAYING our insurance covers most if not all of it. Weather they do or not fact is our babies need them and that's not easy money to come up with. Our insurance has been awesome from my pregnancy all the way to the NICU so I'm hoping they continue :)

I finally got the babies home about 1:30 and had just enough time to unload, change, and feed them in time for therapy at 2pm. Whew! Like I said long day... so I am off to a good night's sleep... I hope anyways!

-Heather

Our First 4th!!!

Happy 4th of July!

We went out on a limb tonight and made our first appearance at a church event. Bret and I want to take them to meet everyone so bad, but also have to be careful to what they are exposed to so they have not been yet. Our church has a big outside get together on the 4th of July with food, drinks and fellowship while watching the local fireworks. I was a little nervous taking the babies thinking at least one would have a huge melt down and cause more attention than we already do. To my surprise, they did GREAT! No drama at all and lots of our friends got to take their first "live" peek at them! One more little mission accomplished and mom and dad feeling just that much more confident in "public appearances"! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Love Bret Heather

Brody Baxlyn Kylee & Korbin

Need to Smile?

I HAD to start with this picture because you can't look at it without smiling. I can't believe this little "chunk-o-love" was my little 3lb miracle just 4 months ago! He was sitting on a pillow that made his little voluptuous rolls really stand out and the smirk on his face only makes it better!

Back to smiles... the babies are smiling like crazy! First Baxlyn... then a few out of Brody... then finally Korbin & Kylee. Now it's pretty easy to get any of them to smile. I like to call Baxlyn my "Cheeser" she gets these ear-to-ear grins going on with gums hangin out everywhere!

Here's a small one from Brody

... and Korbin




"What?... I'm cute?....Little ole' me?"

"Yeah I guess you're right!"


The babies have been doing great and growing over night it seems. They're are changing so so fast. It's exciting but I can see their "babyness" slipping away before my eyes. Yes yes I know they are only 4 1/2 months old (and technically just 2 months) but really they remind me daily that it won't be long and my babies will be kids and chances are.... no more for me :(

A physical and an occupational therapist from Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) has been coming out to the house weekly for the past month or so working with the babies physically and evaluating them developmentally. They are doing well with just a few things to work on that are common among preemies like muscle tone. Korbin especially is a little stiff and tenses up very easily. We do a variety of exercises several times a day to loosen their muscles up as well as working on head control, tracking people and objects, strengthening of the shoulders and neck...etc. We set goals for the babies, things we hope they'll be doing at 6 months adjusted age (November) like sitting up without assistance, holding their own bottles, entertaining themselves, transferring objects from one hand to another, and being up on all fours. For now they will all be seen once a month and maybe more often down the road as they're expected to do more things.



I mentioned the holding their own bottle thing... Bret has seriously been working on this since they left the NICU. Believe it or not they are SLOWLY starting to cooperate. Of course it's easier for them when the bottles are almost empty as seen below... but they're getting there! The sooner the better for mom and dad!

Thought I would share a few sleeping poses.
This one is Bret and the girls.




But of course the BEST place of all to fall asleep... Mommy's hands...

Last but not least for today, Bret and I ask for your prayers. We need wisdom at this point. Next week we go see the cranial band doctor (the helmets they need to help shape their heads) but were having a hard making a decision about Brody. Because of his shunt, many people including therapists and his neurosurgeon, are encouraging us NOT to put him in a helmet. The helmet would be fit for his head around his shunt... however there is always a chance it could put pressure on or around it in the wrong place and cause the shunt to malfunction. Others including our pedi say to do it. What's worse a misshaped head or a shunt malfunction that could cause more surgery? Seems like an easy answer, but it's not. Without the helmet we're afraid his head will stay misshaped and his torticollis (a condition in which the head is tilted toward one side, and the chin is elevated and turned toward the opposite side) will get worse not to mention when his head is so misshaped it is physically hard for him to roll it over. If anybody has experience with a child with both a shunt AND a cranial helmet... GIVE US ADVICE! Clearly... we're torn on this matter and want to make the right decision for Brody so we just ask for your prayers!

Thanks to all!

Bret & Heather