FAQ: Part 2
This is Part 2/2 of FAQs that will remain posted on the menu bar, here on 4tunate. You can find Part 1 HERE.
6. What’s a Day in the Life of a Mama of Quadruplets Look Like?
Contrary to popular belief I do not rise at the crack of dawn to churn butter, weave baskets, mend clothing, or cultivate the land. In fact, this schedule looks like a breeze in comparison to the days of the 3 hour bottle feeding schedule. Currently, what works well for all of us is putting the boys down to bed rather late and in return, they sleep pretty late. Here’s what a “typical” day looks like on our Hoppy Time clock:
5:30 Brad’s Alarm Goes Off (Jen Ignores the Multiple Snoozes and Continues to Sleep)
6:30 Brad Heads Off to Work
7:30 Jen’s Alarm Goes Off
8:00 Jen Showers, Gets Breakfast Ready, Prepares for Day
8:30/9:00 Get the Munchkins Up, Change Diapers and Clothes
9:15 Breakfast
9:45 Clean-up Breakfast
10:00 Playtime: Reading, Playing with Toys, Walks, Park, Playing in Yard
12:00 Prepare Lunch
12:15 Lunch
12:45 Clean-up Lunch
1:00 Pick-up Toys, Change Diapers, Get Ready for Nap
1:30 NAPTIME!!!!!!
4:00/4:30 Playtime
4:55 Brad Gets Home (We All Cheer Loudly)
5:00 Finish Preparing Dinner for 6
5:30 Dinner Together as a Family
6:00 Clean-up Dinner
6:15 Playtime
7:30 Bath Time
8:00 Get Ready for Bed
8:30 Lights OUT!
8:35 Pickup Around House, Laundry, Chores, Wash Sippy Cups, Fill Sippy Cups for Next Day, Veg, and Eventually Sleep
RINSE and REPEAT!!!! =)
7. How do you maintain a healthy marriage under the stress of raising four 2 year olds?
We work at it EVERYDAY! I didn’t realize how MUCH having children would challenge our relationship. Brad and I’s marriage has been tested like never before through the journey of quadparenting. We’ve failed in many areas and on many occasions, but we are committed to each other for LIFE! We know that the only way our marriage will survive is if we prioritize our relationships: GOD first, each other second, and next our boys. We use the quiet times of our day to regroup and communicate. We also allow each other breaks outside of the house, which I think has been vital! Once a month minimum date nights are another lifeline for our marriage. We are extremely grateful for family and dear dear friends who have sacrificed their own time for the sake of our marriage!
8. What sorts of foods do the boys enjoy?
Although I wouldn’t consider myself to be a “health freak” by any stretch, I do think it’s my responsibility as a mom to offer the boys nutritious options for meals. We aren’t 100% Organic or even close, but as often as possible, I pick groceries that are natural sans preservatives. We also buy foods that are low in sugar. However, we do indulge in “treats” now and then, and fast food while it isn’t our favorite choice, is something we resort to when we are on the road or in a bind.
Overall, I think we’ve struck a healthy balance for our family.
Some of our standby meals are: Quesadillas, PBJ, Eggs, Grilled Cheese, Chicken, Waffles, Burgers, and their absolute favorite Pizza!
They aren’t HUGE veggie eaters but we offer them every meal. Their favorite veggies are sweet potatoes, carrots, hummus, and Veggie Straws. Each meal consists of protein, veggies, and fruit. The boys LOVE dairy and carbs, and almost any fruit – so those are simple to serve.
I’m ALWAYS up for suggestions in this department. So feel free to share your favorite menus!
9. How did you conceive quadruplets? IVF? IUI?
I’ve written A TON about our struggle with infertility in these posts, but for the record one more time: Our boys were conceived without any “I’s”. No IVF. No IUI. I was taking a hormone to replace a deficiency in my body (due to PCOS) that is required for ovulation. I’m always willing to talk personally about our experiences through email and consider it a privilege to pray for the many of you who are trying to conceive.
10. How do you manage to keep things organized and clean in your home?
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1. How did you find our blog?2. Why do you read our blog?3. What would you like to see more of on this blog?
Looking forward to hearing your answers to my questions!
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I found your blog during my first surrogacy while I was pregnant with quadruplets. I read it for awhile and then lost it. I rediscovered it while pregnant with twins and on hospital bedrest for my second surrogacy. I continue to read because:
1. I love babies/children and yours are adorable.
2. I love how “real” you both seem.
3. I am a blogger myself and a blog addict.
(I also love lists)
susanb573
Jen — I found your blog through Suz’s blog. I read about the Steece’s in the Christian Chronicle and found her blog through it. After reading her blog, I branched out to some of her Quad Mama friends’ blogs.
I continue to read because I enjoy your writing, enjoy reading about your kids’ stages — stages I miss so much now that my youngest is almost 8. The baby part of life is over for me and I miss all those first things.
I can’t think of anything you need to add to how/what you blog. I love it the way it is.
Jen:
I found your blog on an e-newsletter on multiples I used to received. I have kept reading your blog because I like to keep up with your family. I enjoy it, love it…can’t think of anything you can change??
Thanks for sharing your lives with us!
mommy of five in IL
Hi, I think your blog is wonderful and your boys adorable! I think I was looking up quadruplets on the internet for some reason (can’t remember why) and got linked to your blog. I became a blog addict about a year ago and check your blog about once a week. I hope you don’t mind! You have such a beautiful family.
Heidi
Hi! I heard about your blog from Natalie Decker…we worked together this year.
I like reading it because you are a young mom with young boys, and I can relate to that. I think you do a great job with the blog…I can’t think of anything I would want you to add.
I found your blog from the Steece’s blog. Of all the quad blogs out there, yours if my favorite because you and Brad put your relationship with God out there without apology or explanation. I LOVE your heart that comes through your blog and that y’all work so hard to sustain your relationship with the Lord and with each other. I appreciate that and it encourages me as a mom. I like your blog just the way it is…thanks for taking the time to do it.
I found your blog through a search engine when I was looking for a booster high chair for an older child! It took me to your page talking about when the boys started sitting at the dinner table with you.
When I saw that you were a mom of quads, I was intrigued. I have four kids ages 15 months to 8 years(no multiples) and #5 on the way. Your boys are adorable.
Wow, it so interesting to read how many random ways people have found your blog! Add TrueMedia to your list if it's not already in the responses.
Just this morning I was looking for something 'clean' on their gallery for ideas. I checked out the Olympic Hopefuls 2008 video, and I was so amazed as one cute tumbling toddler after another kept rolling onto the screen! I went to your blog and read your "rewinds" and feel very connected to you.
I'm blessed to have an 8 month old boy of my very own, conceived as is "natural," but I went through 2.5 years of "unexplained" infertility. Your blog has used so many of the terms I have used to explain that time for me. It was hard to find out I wasn't "broken" because then there was no way to fix me and fulfill my lifelong desires. When we finally decided to take some time and move forward with our lives I went back to grad school, and that is when we found ourselves pregnant unexpectedly, so now I'm a full time mom and a full time student – thank heavens I only had one!
Sometimes I don't know how we are going to make it financially, but just like you have said, God has taken care of us every step of they way and I am amazed at the generosity of people around us.
Although it was a difficult 2.5 years (I had 2 sisters-in-law get pregnant 3 times while I tried to just get pregnant once!) -although it was difficult, I am so thankful for that trial now. When my sweet boy would spit up all over me in those early months, or have a diaper blow out on me these days, I remember how many tears I shed praying for him to come, and I cherish that I am living fully this blessed experience.
Wow, I didn't mean to write so much, I guess I just wanted to share that with you. I look forward to peeking in on your blog from time to time for a boost in faith, fresh ideas about kiddos, and let's face, I'm just nosy.
Found you via Multiples and More, and you are definitely going to be my new obsession!!! Your babies are precious and you are a great mommy. I love how your blog is laid out, and I have spent almost an hour clicking on "you might also like" links…
-Johanna in Texas
BakerTwins.net
Hello,
We just found out two weeks ago that we are having quadruplets. I'm searching the web trying to soak in all the info I can get. Thanks so much for your info!
Ryan & Stacie Cook
Westfield, IN
stacie.cook@ymail.com
1. How did you find our blog?
I think it was through a Google search, but it might have been through the Multiples and More Blog Network. I should remember; I just started reading it yesterday.
2. Why do you read our blog?
I dunno! XD I just started reading from the beginning yesterday, and I've been reading more every chance I get. It's so interesting to read your story, and your boys are adorable!
3. What would you like to see more of on this blog?
More photos! lol, other than that, I love the blog!
Hi Jen- I found your blog through Nester's Christmas Tour and decided to take a look around!
I have 1 son…and seeing your four adorable stockings hanging just made me smile.
I also have a D40 and am learning to use it more every day…my goal is to shoot manually at some point, but a recent mis-hap made me realize that i've got a long way to go!!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas-
Carolyn
I heard about your blog when I read about the NICU Survival Kits you make on the Indianapolis Star website. Your gifts to those families is invaluable. And I was intrigued that you were able to make the time for those families with quadruplets! I had to read more.
After reading, about your struggle with infertility, I have to admit your words struck a chord with me. I also have felt the desire to be a mom since I was a little girl. I also have personal struggles that could prevent that dream from becoming a reality. But also, like you, I say frequently that "God's will be done" and I put my family in his hands. I don't know the plan he has for my husband and I, but I know that his plan is greater than I can imagine.
Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to reading more about your ever exciting life with your lovely family.
1. How did I find your blog?
I found it through the Steece's blog.
2. Why do I read your blog?
I am a mother of three (twins +1) and am always inspired my other mothers and their daily adventures. You are so honest and inspiring. You seem like such a great family.
3. I think your blog is great just the way it is.
Hi there,
I was just browsing through IVillage and found your posting, then followed the link to your blog.
Very Cute!
Love,
Kate
from NJ
1. I found your blog through Just Like the Number’s link to your post about What Your Husband Really Wants for Valentine’s Day. (I found Just Like the Number through DesignHerMomma, who I found through mooshinindy, who I have been reading since time began, basically. Whew.) I had no idea I would land on the blog of a mom of quadruplet boys! But I happen to read a few other multiples’ moms’ blogs. I’ve always been interested in multiples, especially twins — despite not being close to any sets of multiples in my personal life. I used to check out (nonfiction!) books about twins at the library when I was a kid. Who does that??
2. I think I’ll stick around and keep reading your blog for the reasons I just explained. Multiples are a special interest of mine, and your boys are so darn cute! I read parenting blogs in general because I am excited about being a parent one day, but it’s such an enormous responsibility that I want to do the best that I can. I figure that by reading a variety of parenting blogs, I’ll pick up on different parenting values, approaches, tips and tricks that I might not otherwise know as a first-time parent. It’s not like they teach you how to parent in school! And although I have the best parents I can imagine, there is a lot of my younger years that I obviously don’t remember and can’t exactly mimic. I read blogs by parents of multiples in particular because I am full of admiration for how parenting of multiples is pulled off. Kudos to you and your husband!
3. I’m not sure yet what I’d like to see more of, but once I explore some more, if I think of anything, I’ll let you know!
So glad you found us! And through great bloggy friends, I might add! I appreciate your encouragement today! Looking forward to getting to know you better!
1. How did you find our blog?
I found your blog from a link on YHL for the Pinterest Challenge
2. Why do you read our blog?
I started out on your PVC sprinkler post then moved to the about page and on to the journey with infertility page and couldn’t stop reading through the rewinds (I should totally be in bed now). We are over six years into our IF journey and I have accepted that we will just be a non-traditional family with my husband and our fur-babies. I’ve shared a little of our family on my blog (http://thisdiylife.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/if-you-want-me-to/ and http://thisdiylife.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/brady/) with possible plans to share more at some point.
3. What would you like to see more of on this blog?
I’ll have to get back to you since I’m new
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