Super Mom

My Mom, Pam, is sort of famous in a lot of people's eyes... I think it has something to do with her giving birth to quadruplets after having Cassie and I already.  Many people, especially my friends who have new babies, always ask me how my Mom did it with 4 at once.  Because I was 6 when they were born...I cannot remember how she did it.  All I remember was lots of crying, laughing, feeding, and cleaning up toys.  My Mom has always been a very organized person- so that is a big factor at her being an awesome supermom.  She also had my Dad to help her out- he is amazing and is always so willing to clean, cook, and help with anything.  A few people have told her to write a book... but I am going to sort of do it for her- in blog form.  I use this blog as a journal/diary.. and so this is a special post for me.  If you have any other questions you want answered... comment below and I will get the answer for you!  I asked her more questions than this, but she is somewhat of a perfectionist and busy (imagine that)...so these took her a while:) 

What was the hardest part of raising 6?  What was the most rewarding part of raising 6?  Hardest- giving your undivided time and attention to each.  Most rewarding-everything!  Celebrating and appreciating the differences and gifts of each child, and remembering to verbalize this when they need to hear it.

What was the scariest thing about having quads?  
Fear of the unknown.  When the doctors told us there were 4, I didn't even know anyone with triplets.   Thoughts such as "Would I survive?  Would the babies survive?  Would they be born with physical or mental challenges?" entered our minds.  I immediately asked if there was a "Quad Hotline" to call, but my doctor did connect me with a mother of triplets in our area who became my automatic BFF.  Had she not been totally positive and upbeat this would not have worked.   (The last thing you need in this situation is negativity.)  Along with the positive encouragement of my multiple mom friend, we knew we had the best doctors and neonatal facilities in the area.  That's huge!  But most important was the faith that God would take care of us no matter what the outcome, and the fact that Christians around the world were praying for us.

What was their sleep routine?  
They slept through the night at about 4 months old -I'm talking 12PM-6AM.  As infants the 4 went to bed when we did-this doesn't work for everyone.  It did for us.  They stopped taking afternoon naps at age 2.  Some sleepy, some not.  It was not worth the effort. The good thing- there was no trouble getting them to sleep at night . Lana and Cassie did not need 4 toddlers energized and ready to stay up till midnight!  (Lana was 6 and Cassie 4 years old when the quads were born.)

Describe the Fertility drug process- how did you get pregnant with quads?  
When we were ready to have our third child, my OB doctor determined that I was not ovulating and suggested that I see a fertility specialist who put me on the lowest dose of the mildest fertility drug at the time-Clomid.  After one "round"...5-7 pills (can't remember) I was pregnant with 4.  The rest is history!  Supposedly, Clomid could increase your chances of twins by 10%.  We were told when they were born in 1991 that 1 out of 729,000 births resulted in quadruplets. All I can say about that is it was meant to be, and we thank God for His blessings! :)

How did you give enough love to all of the kids?  
Hugh challenge--still is.  Billy and I looked for ways to spend one-on-one time with each child.  When the quads were 4 or 5, I would send 3 of them to Mother's Day Out one day a week and keep one with me.   (This was during the day when the older girls were in school.)  I rotated who of the 4 would stay with me as the others were there.  We would go to McDonald's or to the store.  They thought anything was fun-just spending special time with Mom.  That whole week would be "their" week at home when L & C were at school.  This meant they could make the decisions for the 4 of them-which Disney movie to watch, elevator button pusher, etc.  It was quite empowering to them!  Billy also had a rotating Buddy Day with each of the 6 when his busy home schedule allowed it.  How excited were they when their turn came around!
       
What was the easiest way to feed the quads?  
When they were in high chairs and no one was sick, I would feed them oats with bananas a lot of times for breakfast.  I put it in a big bowl and went down the row.  They opened their mouths like little birds when it was almost their turn.  They love to hear that story :)  There was no need at that age to give them their own bowl, unless you're ready to give 4 baths.   Finger foods were easy.

 

*To be continued...she still has more to answer:) *

These pictures are some of my favorites... The bigger picture was the first time I got to hold the quads (they were in the hospital for a month), it was actually a press conference... in 1991 quads were very uncommon.  I am holding Austin in the right top corner.  The bottom picture I have in my bathroom... we ran to hug and kiss the quads- it was when they were getting out of the hospital- same day as the press conference.