Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The night Before The BIG DAY!




  (the babies like to sit outside and wait with Brooklynn for her school bus)


Well, tomorrow is Shilah, Lexie, Maddox, and Rylee's first birthday!  I have no idea where the time has gone.  It seems like just yesterday I was on bed rest in the hospital.  I have been thinking a lot today about what the past year has been like.  I can remember when I was finally told I was pregnant with 4!  A lot went through my mind the weeks that followed the news.  How was I going to carry 4 babies far enough to make sure they were healthy?  Would my body be able to carry all 4 babies?  Would any of them come out with major health problems?  How would I have enough love for 4 babies? What have I done to Brooklynn & Alyssa?  Would we be able to financially support 4 babies?  (Believe me that was just the start!)  I can remember calling my sister on numerous occasions to cry and reach out for support.  I can remember it like it was yesterday!  All we went through to get pregnant, then to stay pregnant with all 4, and then to finally give birth to 4 healthy beautiful babies has been one of the best experiences of my life.     
There have been lots of ups and lots of downs.  There have been days where all I could do is cry, and there have been days that all I have done is laugh.  There isn't anything that could have prepared me for what the last year has been like, but I would not trade it for the world.  I feel so blessed to be the mother of these wonderful children.   

Here are a few things that I have done over the last year that I would never have imagined I would be doing:

  1. being on bed rest 4ever
  2. giving birth to quadruplets
  3. trying to hold 4 babies at one time
  4. breast feeding 2 babies and pumping for the other 2
  5. spending over 1 hour just to bathe my kids
  6. setting up 4 cribs
  7. buying 5-7 packages of diapers in a week
  8. feeding time consisting of 6-8 jars of baby food (at least)
  9. going through 6 cans of formula in one week
  10. washing 20 bottles a day
  11. trying to keep 8 hands out of the toilet
  12. watching Rylee and Maddox play chase
  13. teaching Brooklynn to change a diaper
  14. watching Matt feed 2 babies in his lap while watching the Broncos play football
  15. seeing  both sets of great grandparents hold 4 babies in their arms
  16. we have really been able to see the love and support that people have for us
  17. watching  Alyssa play peek-a-boo with here little brother and sisters who love her so much
  18. go for a walk with a quad stroller (funny story- Matt and I were out for a walk with the family the other night (we took the quad stroller) and 2 young guys did a U turn in the middle of a busy street to come back and take our picture.  I think it is so crazy......any way)
  19. being interviewed by a Denver news station, and being in the local news consistently
  20. and last but not least, still being some what sane
Any way, as you can tell it has been a very eventful year.  We have been filled with more love and joy that you could possibly imagine.  People always ask us how we do it.  I guess we just do it with LOVE!  Happy Birthday to the babies tomorrow!  We love them and are so blessed to have them as part of our family! 



13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday's to the babies and Congratulations to your family for a wonderful year

Lisa & Gerald said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LITTLE ONES HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THEM!
Best wishes to your family
The Demars Family

Erika and Jason said...

I can say that you are so incredibly blessed. All of those babies are really special! I wish that I got to spend more time with them. Happy Birthday to them!

Camille said...

how do you do it? I can't believe it! they are beautiful. Sooo beautiful. what an incredible family. I'm so glad that there are people like you who can do this because I know I never could!!!


ps.... thanks for visiting my blog. visitors are always welcome.

Shelby said...

Maureen, I got your blog address from Emily. I hope you don't mind! I'm so glad you are in the blog world because I think it's great. Plus I love seeing those four kids and hearing how you do it. I can't believe they are already a year old. That seems crazy to me. Here is our blog address, so hope you will check in often! www.gilliatts.blogspot.com

Jenn K said...

Love the list! I bet all of it is worth it when you get 4 times the lovin!!

Reluctant Kerry said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I can't believe that it has been a year either! I was actually pregnant before you, but Max's birthday is still a month away (crazy).

I remember my mom telling me, "guess what, Maureen is pregnant, too!" Then she called me up later and said, "you will never believe this, Maureen is having TRIPLETS!" I was shocked and amazed.

Then she called again.

"Well, Maureen is not actually having triplets ... she's having FOUR BABIES!"

I though about you often throughout my pregnancy, especially whenever was uncomfortable and felt like complaining (Oh I still complained, but I would think about how uncomfortable YOU must be with 400% more baby content, and then I would pipe down).

My point: You are an inspiration!

Congratulations Arnold Family on a wild and wonderful year.

Hilary said...

Happy birthday Shilah, Lexie, Maddox, and Rylee! You have definitely had one blessed year!

Unknown said...

Happy birthday Kiddos! We love you and can't wait to see you soon! Sorry we had to miss it, but you were in our thoughts!

Anonymous said...

WOW! You are amazing!! :) Congrats, and what a darling family! :)

Her Royal Highness said...

Happy birthday babies!
I remember when you called me before you got pregnant, Maureen. I was pregnant with Thor & in shock. You were frustrated because it wasn't happening for you as easily as it had in the past.
I was SHOCKED when you sent me an email from Denver telling me you were having 4 babies soon but then you didn't give me any additional details. (I blogged about it!)
I'm just so thrilled that you were able to bring home all 4 babies and that you ALL survived the first year - even if at times you wouldn't think that possible!
Congratulations Maureen on surviving motherhood for one more year!

Clarissa said...

Happy Birthday!! What an incredible year. They are absolutely adorable.

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe it has been a year either. It seems like just the other day we were all in the hospital pool chatting it up!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR AMAZING KIDDOS!!!

XO