Look Out, We've Got a 9 Pounder!

Yes our Linebacker is now at 9lbs triple his weight since birth, go Brody!

We all went this week to Children's to see Brody's neurosurgeon for a check up. He was the only one who was weighed. My guess is the others are between 7 1/2 and 8 1/2lbs, Baxlyn still being slightly the smallest. It was just 2 months ago we were there for Brody's surgery and he had reached the "big" 4 pounds!

Our appointment was at 9:30am so we left the house at 7am, thinking we would get there early enough to feed them... ha were we wrong. We got there right at 9:15 and didn't have time to feed before going in. The babies slept like angels all the way there and what do you think happened right when we walked in the hospital.... yeah that's right. Here we come, as if not drawing enough attention wheeling in a limo of babies, all 4 babies were screaming at the top of their lungs. Bret and I found a spot somewhat away from all others in the waiting room and prayed we had enough time to get a bottle down each of them before they called Brody's name. The timing was perfect, as we finished Korbin, they called our name. From then on, the babies were angelic once again!

We sat in the room waiting for the doctor, I held Brody as he looked over my shoulder out the window and was happy to tell him we didn't have to leave him there, not this time :)

My little miracle, waiting so patiently for the doctor!

Dr. Honeycutt said Brody looked great, therefore we can assume the shunt is either doing it's job or his body is draining and absorbing the fluid like it should on it's own. Our only problem is that Brody prefers to lay on the opposite side of his head from where the shunt is, so his head is slowly being reshaped to conform to the way he lays... not so good. In most cases the baby would be put into a cranial band/helmet for a period of time to reshape the head. His doctor wants at all costs to avoid the helmet not only for obvious comfort reasons, but also the chance that the helmet would put pressure against or around his shunt and cause complications. In the nicu the nurses would rotate him (and the other babies) and make him lay in different positions, including on his shunt. Bret and I try to do the same at home, but as Brody gets stronger, it's harder to force him :/

Our fix? Therapy, right away. We are in the process of setting up therapists through ECI Early Childhood Intervention to meet with and/or to come to our house not only for Brody but all of the babies. ECI specializes in babies at high risk for developmental problems and/or disabilities and strives to help the babies "catch up" to their actual age and reach their potential.

Ever wonder "What's 24 hours like with Quads?"

Here's a slight idea :)

Looks like a lot of bottles, yeah? That's just during the night.

32 Bottles total per day.

40+ diapers a day.

This is why Baxlyn is the smallest, poor thing.

"Yeah, I puked...again... so what?"

Late on a feeding... this is how they thank you.


Mommy, Brody, Kylee & Baxlyn
Multitasking is becoming one of my special mom powers!




Bret trying to get a nap in with Brody.


Are my hands full? Yes. Better Full than Empty.

Am I busy? Yes. Better Busy than Bored.

By the end of the day I am exhausted and as always, thankful to be :)

Until next time! -Heather

Yay For Daddy!

Hello Cox Quad Followers! It's been a good week here in Baby Land.

First of all... Bret graduated!!! This was his toughest semester by far. He knew going into it he would be dealing with working full time and going to school full time while anticipating me being in the hospital on bedrest, the babies' arrival, and a long stressful nicu ride. At the same time he/we knew that if he did successfully finish this semester, he would be home around the same time our babies came home... and he is! For the first time EVER he goes to work and comes home, like a "normal" person. I Love it! Congrats Babe, I'm so so proud of you. Now take a break (haha a break with quads?) and enjoy your family, you deserve it!

We got to get out of the house a few times this week, thank goodness! Baxlyn had her eye exams on Tuesday and like Korbin's, are developmentally right where they should be. She won't have to go back for another year! Monday we took a family trip to the hospital to take a few long overdue pics with some of our favorite doctors - pics coming soon!

A shot of Miss Kylee's feet while napping with Dad!

Bret and I took the babies on our first family walk around the neighborhood the other night... you would have thought we were walking a ten legged bright orange dinosaur from the looks we got. There were several people who stopped us along the way to "ooh aww" and ask questions, one lady even knew the babies' names.... wow!

Bret and the girls.

Oh... and one more way to use the multi-functional Boppy!

My Sweet Little Bit Baxlyn

Ok, this I LOVE!

The girls have been doing this "Hold Me, Hold Me" thing lately... especially at night... ugh. Anyways, Kylee was going at it the other day and would not let me put her down without throwing a huge fit. Korbin was tucked away peacefully in his boppy chair so I thought what the heck... let's try it. Maybe she just needs someone... not necessarily me, just someone. Sure enough brother did the trick. It looks posed, I know, but it's not. Korbin held on to her and she went right to sleep. So sweet!

"Mommy won't hold you? It's ok I got you sister."

Hope this made you smile!

-Heather

My First Mother's Day

For my first Mother's Day I asked for just one thing. Not diamonds, a shopping spree, a fancy dinner, or bouquet of flowers (although I got that too)... I asked for a nap... a much needed nap... and I got it! Thank you Bret.

This time last year I wondered if I would ever be a mommy, and here I am today blessed beyond words with four beautiful babies.

In the picture below, I like to think the 3 are screaming at the top of their little lungs "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOMMY, WE LOVE YOU!" in their own words. Sweet Korbin was the only one hangin' out contently for the pic, it seems there's always one who gives me a break when all the others are going at it... thanks Babe ;)

Mommy's Little Lemon Drops

We made a surprise visit to Grandma & Aunt Beth's house to deliver cards and flowers!

My Mom, Sis & I with the babies.

Our next stop, a surprise visit to Mamaw's house!

"Happy Mother's Day Mamaw!"

To all of the moms out there, Happy Mother's Day, we hope you had a good one!

God Bless, Heather

Pictures and a tribute to Robin!

Hello all! So far everything is going smoothly in Baby Land. The babies are all doing well.... just sleeping and eating and sleeping and eating and sleeping and eating some more (of course with a few hundred diapers in between)! Brody, Kylee, and Korbin had their eye exams last week. Korbin's eyes are right where they need to be (developmentally that is) and Brody and Kylee's are looking good too, they have one more follow up in a few weeks. Baxlyn will have hers checked again on Friday. We will keep you posted!

What's cuter than a sleeping baby...?

...a pile of sleeping babies!

Sleepy Sisters

Brody taking his first nap in his crib.



Baxlyn getting a close look at sleeping Brody.
"So this is the one I sat on in mom's tummy... hmmm"

Left to Right (bottom to top):

Baxlyn, Brody, Kylee & Korbin

From Brody to Robin (his NICU Baby Buddy):

"Hi Robin, the night mom brought this shirt to the NICU was the same night we found out you were not there anymore so I thought I'd show you a pic, hopefully you'll see it. Here I am showing off my "I Love Robin... and she loves me!" shirt mom made. I didn't get a chance to tell you thank you for loving me and being my buddy in the NICU. You would be so proud of me, I'm doing great, as you can see my chin(s) are growing and I weigh over 7lbs now! I will miss you and hope to see you again someday!" - Brodster

Short post for today sorry, I need to go share more love :]

-Heather

And then there were 4...

I'm proud to say Brody is home and I now have all of my little "druplets" under one roof... OUR roof! Bret went to work for a few hours yesterday morning and I got myself and the rest of the clan ready for our big day. It was rainy so I hesitated taking them with us to pick Brody up, but I also had been dreaming of the day we would walk out of that hospital as a family... all 6 of us... so rain and all there we went.

Once the babies are released from the nicu they are not allowed back in due to being exposed to the "outside world" so Bret, Baxlyn, Kylee, and Korbin waited in the hallway while I went in for Brody. When I walked through those nicu doors I knew it would be for the last time... at least to see my babies. Our nicu journey was finally coming to an end.

As I approached the front desk several nurses greeted me with huge smiles knowing it was a big day for our family. Needless to say I broke down into tears. Tears of joy knowing we have finally reached the goal set for all families who are on the roller coaster nicu ride and tears of sadness knowing I was leaving a place which I have called home since I was admitted on January 27th.

There were times I wasn't sure if this day would ever come - me walking out with my Brody - and here it finally was. I will NEVER forget it!

Brody ready to hit the road with his "We Love You Brody" picture from the brother and sisters.

Dr. Jain proudly escorting Brody to meet up with the others!

Our Family :)

Bret unfortunately had to go to school after leaving the hospital, so I took the babies home by myself. After a few trips from the car to the house with babies I finally saw what I have been wanting to see for so long, my babies all together... at home.

My Dear Brody,

Welcome home sweet baby, words cannot express how proud your Daddy and I are of you. We love you to pieces and always will. You have taught us both so much... most of all to rely only on God and his power to pull us through the toughest situations. Thank you for staying strong and being the fighter that you are.

We Love You! Mommy & Daddy

Thank You Jesus :]

Welcome Home Kylee!

Kylee cam home today! Bret and I, along with Mr. Korbin and Baxlyn, went to pick her up this afternoon. When I walked into their room (Kylee and Brody were sharing a suite :) ) they were snuggled in so sweetly together, I hated to break them up. I had to fight back a few tears when leaving with Kylee and having to leave Brody behind. I just remind myself once again, he's here and I'm thankful for that and he will be coming home shortly. Good news though, Brody should be coming home Monday if things go according to plan! I was so afraid he was going to be stuck behind for a while, but he's not. He's now taking all 8 of his feedings by bottle and is currently on brady watch (he must go 5 days without dropping his heart rate where he has to be stimulated). YAY Brody and Kylee!

I know you are all curious to know how this week has gone with Bret and I having two of the babies home. It actually has not been that bad. We have them sleeping in pack-n-plays in our room for easy access during the night. Hardest part? getting up every three hours during the night to feed. They take their bottles in only 15 minutes or so, but for some reason Korbin feels the need to growl for an hour after he eats which keeps us up... fun :/

We will see how tonight goes, I know 3 will be more challenging!

Baxlyn and Korbin had their first appointment with their pediatrician Dr. Reyes on Wednesday. Baxlyn weighed in a 5lbs 8oz and Korbin 5lbs 12oz. The doctor was very impressed with their size for being 11 week early quads and was super proud of their double chins :)

Bret and I with the three heading home.

Hangin' out in the jungle...

"Oh great... 2 sisters... what am I to do now!"

-Korbin

Not too much longer and our little (big) family will be complete!

Have a great weekend!

-Bret and Heather

P.S. - any NICU nurses who might read this, please give Brody our love!

2 Down... 2 To Go!

Yes Sir, two are home! The whole weekend we had planned on bringing Kylee and Baxlyn home. Korbin was for the most part ready also, but we were going to let him hang out with Brody a few more nights to ease us into the whole "at home" parenting thing. We called last night to check on everybody and Miss Kylee had had a recorded brady (her heart rate dropped and they had to stimulate her to get her to breathe) in this case, they must go 5 days without another one. Soo... needless to say she wasn't coming home. This morning we called before heading that way and the doctor said "You want to take Korbin too?!".... and so we did :)

It was bittersweet in a way. On one hand we get to take 2 of our babies home YAY! On the other hand, we're having to split them up and it will be hard for us to go see the others :( but we will manage! Assuming Kylee doesn't have another Brady she should be home later this week/weekend and Brody is still looking like another week or two. He is doing great, just not taking all feedings by bottle just yet. They get to sleep in the same bed now, too!

The girls and one last snuggle before separation.

Baxlyn and her goodbyes to her Baby Buddy Meredith.

We love you, and thank you for everything ;)

The girls and their "I'm Mommy's Dream Come True" outfits!

Finally, a picture of Bret holding them all for the first time!

The wonderful Dr. Jain with everybody!

Leaving the NICU...

Bret and I with the babies outside Dr. Leveno's loading up!

Korbin's first car ride.

Baxlyn's first car ride. She's just thrilled can't you tell...

Home :)

Daddy and Baxlyn




Mommy and Korbin
(If I didn't know better, I'd say it was Brody!)


That's all for now, I'm gonna go watch my sweet babies breathe :)