What is it like to have quadruplets?

It's celebrating triumphs over the little things... like when they learn to soothe themselves at night, hold their own bottle and then actually feed themselves. With one child these are considered milestones, but with multiples they are victories.

It's always having to plan ahead. Do I have enough diapers? Will they have enough high chairs? Will I have enough patience? What if I have to pee?

It's knowing that it takes me 4x the time to get ready to get out the door. And that by the time I can get 4 diapers changed, dressed, shoes and 4 secured into car seats, the chances of at least 1 pooping or spitting up is 4x likely.

It's figuring out how to get all 4 from the house into the van, then into the doctors office and wondering if there will be room for all 4 car seats or the huge 4 seat Runabout stroller. Or if the room will be childproofed because I can't hold all 4 babies or contain all 4 toddlers at once.

It's realizing that I can't console my baby that just got immunizations long enough because I have to get the next one going. And what about the other 2?

It's always being out numbered.

It's knowing meltdowns are contagious and knowing that I don't have enough arms to comfort them all or even contain them all.

It's always sticking to a routine and following a schedule is survival.

It's living in survival mode.

It's understanding that naps are essential for sanity (my sanity, that is).

It's chaos.

It's having to be beyond organized.

It's knowing that the center of the vehicle is the safest place in an accident and knowing I can't put all my babies there.

It's realizing (with deep sadness) that a diaper change constitutes one-on-one time.

It's letting out a big sigh once all 4 are securely fastened into car seats, not due to the amount of work it took to get them there, but because now I can finally let my guard down and relax (a little) just knowing they are all safely contained.

It's being efficient.

It's making 4 sippy cups at a time

It's having to be stricter than I would like to be because if I give an inch to 1, then they all expect it.

It's knowing they deserve more attention, to be held more, comforted more, snuggled more than I can possibly provide.

It's knowing that sharing is a process that starts in the womb.

It's knowing they are learning to be independent, and to soothe themselves and each other.

It's being stared at in public and trying to avoid fertility questions from complete strangers.

It's realizing that 4 is not really that many, because most of my friends (at least my friends since having quads) also have 3, 4, 5 or more.

And it's realizing that this life is their 'norm'.

It's group hugs.

It's lots of giggles.

It's hearing the pidder padder of 8 tiny feet.

And it's appreciating that although they are 4x the work, there's 4x the kisses, 4x the hugs and best of all, 4x the love.

They laugh a little louder

They cry a little softer

They live a little stronger

because they stand together

..... Quadruplets!

I've never had just one child since I started off with twins, so I can not say what it is like to have a single child. At the time I thought twins were overwhelming and stressful (little did I know that they were just my warm up for having quads!). With my twins I was able to adjust my life to their schedule and still enjoy a semi-normal life. Eight years later my single did not seem to interrupt my life much. I was able to continue on as normal with some simple adjustments. However, at 3 months she developed colic and we had a very frustrating couple months! Besides dealing with her nonstop screaming, I was in the midst of a hormonal roller coaster with my InVitro cycle. And needless to say that our entire world turned upside down with the arrival of our quads. My life as I knew it ceased to exist; my entire world became about caring for 4 tiny babies and trying to maintain some normalcy for the other 3 (which was impossible). Now since then I have certainly regained a good part of my life back, but I'm not sure I will ever get back my BQ (before quads) life (and I'm certainly not even speaking of my before children life). I think about how comparatively easier life was BQ, and day dream about sleeping in (just occasionally), sitting at a booth at a restaurant (instead of making a scene by pulling several tables together just so we can all sit together), driving a car (as opposed to our BAV), but then I remember those sweet wet toddler kisses x4 and realize I wouldn't give those up for anything. Yes, my life is hectic and full of chaos much of the time, but it is also more full of laughs and love than anyone can imagine. And I love MY LIFE!

taken in part from: http://my-triple-blessings.blogspot.com/2011/11/3-whats-that-like_29.html. So go on over and check out Alicia's blog too.