Whole lotta stuff !!!!

With cold and flu season around the corner, we have been trying to get the kids out as much as we can. They are finally getting to an age where they can observe things and recognize what they are looking at. So, we figured we'd give the Dallas Aquarium and the Dallas Zoo a try. Don't worry, we're not insane. We didnt do them both in one day.

We went to the Aquarium last Thursday. I figured I'd take an early/long lunch and tag along. Casey had the suburban full of kiddies when she picked me up at my office. I hopped in the front seat, changed clothes while Casey drove us down the highway, and we pulled in the empty parking lot. The Aquarium opened at 10am, so we figured it would be easiest for us navigating the runabout if we got their at opening time. The kids had a blast. They love looking at animals, and they love pointing them out to us. Recently, they all learned how to answer "what does a fish say?". Imagine four toddlers making kissing sounds, and that about sums it up. SO every time we saw some sort of fish, someone would be offering up some "fish talk". We were in and out in about an hour, and then headed to the Black eyed Pea for lunch. The kids did great once again, and all the tables around us enjoyed their lunch while watching "feeding time" at our mini-zoo.

Whatever was behind the glass in this photo must have been real exciting. Check out the enthused looks on everyone's faces.


Look out! A Flying shark!



And speaking of the zoo, we visited the Dallas Zoo yesterday. My folks came along to assist. Its always nice to have 2 extra sets of hands in case everyone melts down at once. It was a bright sunny day, and the kids really enjoyed being out and about. We hit as much of the zoo as we could, but the kids are just not fans of being in the runabout for long periods of time. So we have to stop and let them run around, so they get to stretch their legs. That usually will buy us an extra 10-15 minutes before they realize that they like being on their own feet than sitting in the stroller. Everyone enjoyed seeing the animals. I think they really liked the Giraffes and elephants the most. A lot of the animals are shy, and can hide behind things, which makes it difficult for them to see. But for a giraffe or an elephant, there's really no where to hide. So once we pulled up to them, the mouths all dropped, the fingers began pointing, and everyone was gazing at the big animals. After the zoo, we headed to TGI Fridays, and the kids still did great. Brady turned into the personal greeter of the restaurant. Anyone who walked by his end of the table was offered a hi/bye and a smile. He really likes to entertain. We had several folks come from the other end of the restaurant just to see what quads look like. As long as folks are respectful, we don't mind. I myself had never seen quadruplets before I had my own, so I know its not an everyday occurence. But the kids did great, we ended up home thirty minutes late for nap, and they were all 4 out cold for a solid uninterrupted 2 hour nap.

After viewing the elephants, everyone stopped for a quick photo


Also this week, Reid made her stop to see the oncologist. Casey took her in, and after a few rounds of blood sampling, they were out the door 3 hours later. The doctor was very nice, and very informative. She said that we should hopefully here the results of the blood test by Tuesday or Wednesday. Looking at everything else, she told Casey that if her blood test comes back the same, or a smidge better, then she was at a worry level (on a scale of 1-10, 1 being lowest amount of worry) of two. Obviously you also root for the lowest amount of worry, but I'll take a 2. Hopefully the blood test results will show that Reid is in tip top condition across the board. I can safely tell you, nothing slows her down. I am a very proud father to see how she doesnt let any of this stuff bother her. Its a minor detour on her day's schedule, and she's back to warp speed the minute she walks in the door of the house. We hope to have a full update for you all very soon.

Here's a shot of Reid at the oncologist's office trying to figure out how to climb into this chair, and then launch herself across the room.


To round out our activities, we did something we never had to do since the quads came home from the hospital. We seperated them into 2 bedrooms. We kept the boys together in their "big boy room" and the girls are together in the "big girl room". The boy and girl pairings really worked out. The idea behind us seperating them was 1) To get them used to being paired up, because once they go to beds instead of cribs, their wasnt a way to arrange a room with 4 beds. It just doesnt work. And we arent even considering bunk beds with these kamikazees. It would take roughly 2 minutes before someone was giggling while hanging on to the ceiling fan. 2) The naps were starting to be a problem with 4 kids in one room. We have two heavy sleepers (Trey and Reid), and two light sleepers (Cam and Brady). When all together in one room, all it would take is for Cam or Brady to wake up, and the nap was all over. Trey and Reid can sleep through 1 person screaming, but when it turns to a duet, they wake up as well.

So now, they have their own rooms. Brady still wakes up early and often during nap time, but now Trey just sleeps through it. Cam has actually been sleeping better during nap, and I think it is directly related to not having Brady across the room throwing his lovie at her, or screaming at her to wake up.

In case anyone wants to know what shade of blue this is, it's not sky blue, or royal blue, or water blue. Just blue. But seriously, I have no idea. Ask Casey.


This is the girls' room. If you lick the walls, it will cure you of heartburn, stomach ache, upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting.


I am sure some will look at the photos and say "Pink and Blue, how original." Well, to you I respond: 1) Every color combo has been done somewhere and somehow. So there is no such thing as an original room paint color. and 2) Just give us a few months to put it all together! We never do things that are considered uncool! ;)
We based the room paint off the colors that are on the bedding we got for their "big kid beds". We are holding off on anything for the walls and such, until we are able to afford their new beds, and get them in the rooms to make sure our mental layouts work. Once that occurs, we'll get everything hung on the walls, and it will look awesome, GUARANTEED!

LOTS of random pictures, .....

The kids think Daddy is a rocking horse.


This is the reaction you get when you say "cookie" to Cameron


Hey Trey, show me some teeth!


Brady showing you readers his tonsils.


Reid, show me your chipped tooth!


Sometimes I like to make sure that gravity is still in effect. So, I'll toss Brady up in the air and see if he comes back down.


We're trying to prep the kids early for their lives after college in cubicles.


Trey with his "blue steel" look.


I guess Reid ate something sour here.


Cameron, snap out of it!


Brady doing his Fonz impression. "Heyyyyyyyy"


Brady is by far the most pale of the quads. This is what he looks like with the lights off. He actually glows in the dark.


Hey Reid, do you know where all the tupperware went?


"Wait, what did you just say about my outfit?"


I didn't have the heart to tell Cameron that these sunglasses were broken.


Here's Casey's new shirt. Direct and to the point. I suggested she put her blog address on the back, but that was a stupid suggestion. Stupid Robbie.


A good friend our ours named Jared got married this weekend. We had to get all classy for the night out, but it was a great time. Met a lot of fun people. Jared and Katie, enjoy your honeymoon! Or if you like, you can give us your tickets for Turks and Caicos, and you can spend your honeymoon with the quads. Come on, its a great deal!


Well, that about sums up our last 2 weeks. More updates on Reid to follow in a few days, so bear with us! I promise we're not trying to drag this out :)

Hope you all have a great week!
Robbie