Happy Holidays!

Halloween Rewind

The girls had a great Halloween and it keeps getting easier every year for trick-or-treating. No more whining that they are tired of walking and this year they weren't even afraid to go to the "scary" houses! It's all about the candy baby!!

Sooooo we are past the point of mommy being able to choose their costumes for them (as evidenced by Riley and Makena's choices this year). I still try to steer their decisions but darnit, they have minds of their own!

Steve made several trips to the Halloween store with them this year as they tried to make their final decisions as to what they wanted for costumes. We did try to convince them to wear their costumes from last year since they still fit, but that was a no go! When Riley came home expressing her desire to be a jailbird (because it reminds her of a zebra!) I had to laugh. No pretty princess or fairy costume for my girl. Makena quickly followed suit in her choice to dress the same as Riley (as usually happens with those two) and next thing I knew I had two jailbirds on my hands. Alyssa (my girlie-girl) DID want to dress like a princess, but I thought we just HAD to round out the theme and we convinced her to go as a police woman! It totally fits her rule-following personality too!

Two jailbirds and the Po-Po

Makena

Riley-making her mean face with a smile

Alyssa the Policewoman, complete with her pink badge!

Next year we will have a 4th girl to dress up! Can't wait!!

My Little Turkey

(Can you believe those cheeks? I can't get enough of them!)

We survived Abby's 2 month dr. appointment...shots and all! She is a whopping 12 pounds already which is somewhere in the 80th percentile range for weight. Big difference from the triplets who have always been below the 10th percentile (and still are). I looked back in their baby books and they didn't weigh 12 pounds until they were 7 months old. It is amazing to experience what a full-term baby is like! We are all doing great.

Hoping to update again this week with some Halloween pics (better late than never).

She's Here--Part 2

How has a month already passed since Abby has been born? Sheesh....was hoping to update the blog much sooner! Get ready for picture overload!

Mama at 37 1/2 weeks pregnant. Sooo ready for the big day!

My c-section was scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on September 15th which meant we had to be at the hospital at 4:30. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep the night before. The surgery went smoothly and it was very surreal to be awake during the c-section. Completely different from the emergency c-section with my big girls where I was put completely under anesthesia. Abby came out crying and was with me in recovery and never left my side. What a miracle! We had lots of family come to visit that day and couldn't wait for big sisters to get out of school and come meet Abby.

I love this picture. Our FOUR girls!


Daddy and the girls.

Me and my besties taken with the camera phone. And yes, I'm still totally drugged up from the spinal block!


Lolo and Abby


Lola and Abby


Grandpa Hank and Abby



The cousins...all girls! I LOVE this picture.

Auntie Jodi and Uncle Craig with Abby

Our baby girl at 2 weeks old

Abby is a true blessing to our family! Hard to believe sometimes that we have 4 kids, but she was meant to be part of our lives. Amazing how I forgot all the little things....love the smell of a newborn baby, their tiny squeaks, the cuddles, the diaper blow-outs, and of course the middle of the night feedings. And Abby has a set of LUNGS when she gets mad! I seriously would not be surprised if the neighbors told us they could hear her crying. She just might be louder than her big sister Alyssa was.

We are adjusting. It is and will continue to be a challenge to address everyone's needs during the after-school hours. Getting homework done, dinner made, baths etc.... for the big girls when Abby needs me can be stressful if Steve isn't home from work, but we are managing. Several moms from my local mom's group have been gracious enough to bring dinner over the last 3 weeks. Such a lifesaver!

I will try my best to blog again before another month goes by!

She's Here!

We welcomed our newest addition to the family into the world yesterday morning. We have been blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby girl and couldn't be more thrilled. I will try to update more about the big day when I get a chance.

Miss Abigail Samantha Quilao

7 pounds, 6 ounces

19 1/2 inches long

Proud big sisters with baby Abby