Goodbye, crawling!

Even after many months of watching the Fab Four learn and grow, it still amazes me how four children born within seconds of each other can reach developmental milestones at such widely varying intervals. Take, for example, the babies' road from first steps to walking:

Isaac took his first steps at the end of October and began walking full-time in the first part of December ...

Jude took his first steps at the end of December, just before their babies' first birthday, and started walking at the end of January ...

Lucy took her first steps at the beginning of December but didn't start full-on walking until the beginning of February ...

and, last but certainly not least ...

Dahlia took her first steps in mid-January and started walking across the room ... TODAY!



I think it's safe to say that we have four toddlers on our hands! I guess I'd better hurry up and learn how to run in four directions at once—that is one of the Quad Mom superpowers, right?

Just a little bit longer

Today I caught Jude messing with Dahlia's hair:


And it reminded me of one morning last summer, when I took this video of Jude discovering Dahlia's hair for the first time:

Something tells me he's just waiting for her hair to get long enough for him to give it a really good YANK!

1 year old ... again!

Today is the first anniversary of my due date. Of course, the only time my due date really meant anything to me was during the 2 weeks between the day I found out I was pregnant and the day I found out I was pregnant with quadruplets! Nevertheless, February 9 is a date to remember, as it marks the day my babies reach the adjusted age (as opposed to chronological age) of 12 months. To me, it's an important milestone because, even though the kids have already caught up to their chronological age in size and development, I now feel like I can safely do some of the things you do with 1-year-olds, such as weaning them off their bottles or feeding them eggs and cow's milk.

"So ... does this mean we get another birthday party?"

February 9 is also special because it's the day I am proud to announce that Lucy has joined Isaac and Jude in the walker club! I decide someone is officially walking when he or she can walk across the living room unaided, and Lucy's got it down. Check her out:

Manners, schmanners

I hate planning meals. Didn't like it when it was just Ted and I, and certainly don't like it any better now that I have to make sure the Fab Four are eating a balanced diet! But, day after day, I do my best, trying other people's suggestions (avocado sandwiches are a favorite) and coming up with my own ideas (black beans with diced ham and cumin are also well received). And so far, I'd say the kids are surviving pretty well.

Even on the days that I think I've come up with the "perfect meal," though, sometimes the kids will finish eating and then look at me like there's something missing. That's when I have to improvise with whatever is in the fridge or pantry. And I must say that none of my experiments have been as popular as this (once-in-a-while, I promise!) treat:



Now, when is it that I'm supposed to start teaching them good manners?