Two years at home

A year ago today, one day after the first anniversary of the Fab Four's homecoming, I pondered the ways in which bringing home our four tiny babies had marked the real beginning of my life as a mother. Yesterday was the second anniversary of that momentous occasion, but this time around I have no deep thoughts to share—believe it or not, wrangling four active 2-year-olds leaves little time for reflection!

I did, however, manage to shoot a couple of brief videos to record how much they've changed since last January 9. I especially loved the interactions in this super-short clip:



Cool coincidence: I didn't notice until later that my iPod had landed on "A Hard Day's Night" while I was grabbing the camera. But I think it's quite fitting that I happened to be filming during these lines, in particular: "When I'm home, everything seems to be right / When I'm home, feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah!"

There's no denying that the last two years have included more than their fair share of hard days' nights, but they've also been two years full of hugs and kisses and lots of love—and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Can't wait to see what's in store for the next year at home!

A year at home

One year ago yesterday, Ted and I brought home our 2-week-old quadruplets. Up until then, I hadn't really felt like a parent. During my pregnancy, in fact, I could barely wrap my brain around the fact that there were four human beings inside of me—after all, I knew very little about their personalities (only what their random kicks and stretches could tell me), and I didn't even have a good idea of what they looked like (despite the dozens of ultrasounds I saw!). Even after the babies were born, neonatal nurses took care of them around the clock, so visiting the NICU felt more like going to see a friend's baby than my own.

Bringing home the babies brought home the realities of being a mother. From one day to the next, I entered a season in which nearly every waking moment (and many half-asleep ones) would be devoted to caring for, worrying about, and growing to love each of these four little people. Over the next year, I would put everything else on hold and get to know each child's cry and each child's laugh as only a mother can. And on every one of those 365 days, I would learn something new about the babies, about Ted, about myself, about life.

I still have a lot to learn, and I know that the years ahead hold challenges and joys that I cannot even imagine right now, during the babyhood of my motherhood. But I do know one thing for sure: When I tell my babies that I love them, I mean it more than anything else I've ever said.

I've come a long way, babies, and so have you!

Isaac on Homecoming Day and exactly 1 year later

Lucia on Homecoming Day and exactly 1 year later

Jude on Homecoming Day and exactly 1 year later

Dahlia on Homecoming Day and exactly 1 year later

The surprises never end

I am grabbing a spare moment to let everyone know that the quads did not come home today. They came home YESTERDAY, exactly 1 month before their due date! I am guessing the NICU had some triplets on the way or something because it felt like they couldn't get us out of there fast enough.

Anyway, Ted and I were not able to get those last-minute preparations done like we'd hoped to do, nor were we able to enjoy one last dinner out together. However, we were able to buy the minivan, so at least we had a way to get everyone home in one trip! Since quads rarely go home all at the same time, we created quite a spectacle as we left the hospital last night, with even strangers asking if they could take our picture:

Going home!

I have to say that our first night as a family went very well, despite the fact that Ted and I only got about an hour and a half of sleep. A million thanks to my aunt Holly and cousin Tiff who came to spell us for a few hours today so that I could grab a nap and Ted could run to the grocery!