Tuesday, November 20, 2007

1st day of their lives!

Hi everyone. It is a very excited, and sleep-depraved Billy and Monica reporting from Banner-Good Samaritan. Day one has gone relatively well. Moni and I went down and visited the Graf Quads at around 7 a.m. It was great getting to see and talk to our babies. One of our nurses was giving me a lesson on Moni's breast pumping stuff while Moni was talking to one of the babies, and I did the best that I could to remember it all, but I think that Moni once again proved her brilliance and figured it out herself. She did well with it for the first day, but she is hoping to improve. Her volume wasn't what she would like, but they say that it all is normal.

Pius James:

He is our lazy giant. He is the last of our batch to remain intubated. He does okay with breathing and eating, but he just doesn't seem to want to put forth the effort to do it on his own. He likes for the machines to handle all the heavy lifting for him. Everyone said that it is normal for "the giant" to progress the slowest. He is used to having everything done for him. I got to change his diaper, and it was so fun. I know, I know...changing a diaper is fun? HELL YES IT IS! Moni and I have been waiting for so long to change our OWN baby's poopy diaper.

Forrest Michael:

He is still our crazy little guy. He squirms, he wiggles, he cries, he basically writhes all over his incubator. They had to draw some blood today, and Moni and I got to watch. His nurse had to stick him twice because his blood is so thick and she couldn't get any out of his left arm. She stuck his right arm and got just enough blood to run the test. I can't remember for sure what the test was for, but I remember that it came back as a good score. I was able to have some father-son alone time with him and tell him about the Broncos, the Golden Eagles, the Tide, and women. He seemed particularly interested in the women, but I told him that Momma would tell him things about women that I don't even know.

Danna Lynn:

She is my pretty little girl. She is doing great. She heard that her and Pius were both intubated, and she decided that she wasn't going to be the last one with the tube down her throat. She was extubated, and seems to be doing really well on CPAP like her brother's Laine and Forrest. She has the most beautiful, little cry in the world. She started throwing a major fit tonight when I was in there with Mark, but as soon as I started talking and rubbing her back she calmed down. (The nurse also removed some excess air from her stomach, but we are going to give daddy the credit). She hadn't started eating yet because of getting the tube out of her throat, but they are planning on starting that tomorrow morning. She is kicking ass, and taking names.

Laine Ryan:

Our content little man. He really is the kid minding his own business in the corner. He is doing so well. The nurses said his only issue is that he isn't digesting his food quite right yet. Yet another perfectly normal thing for preemies they say. That is his ONLY issue right now. He is doing so well with the entire situation. We are hoping that he stays this way throughout his childhood, but a little trouble would be okay.

They are doing very well so far. The boys are pooping, and sweet Danna is breathing on her own. It has been such a blast up to this point. We promise pictures tomorrow when Grandparents Haag, Graf, and Great-Grandma Selenke get to town. We also want to send out yet another giant thank you to the Moores. Laverna sentMoni some beautiful roses, and Mark brought Moni another flower arrangement. If he doesn't quit spoiling Moni, we are going to quit telling him where we are. J/K. Thanks so much.

Until next time...

29 comments:

Billy Graf said...

1st to post. Championship!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your beautiful and healthy quads!

Aunt Lavina said...

Congratulations on the birth of your little angels. It is so special to get to see them at one day old.

Much love to all,
Lavina

Anonymous said...

Hey guys! Thanks for the post and update, I have been watching your blog like a hawk all day long! Your kiddos are amazing. You guys have done such a good job! How exciting for you all! Congrats, congrats!!!

Talk to you soon!

Delane and Dan

Anonymous said...

Congrats Bill & Moni! I am so happy for you both! I can't wait to see them.

Ashley

Anonymous said...

I've been checking the blog all day waiting for an update and YAY I can go to sleep now with a happy heart!!!! Everytime I checked yours I checked Tubre's to see if they reported anything on all of you since they have so much more time! Ha Ha right Tubre's? I'm just pathetically (is that a real work?)obsessed with all you! Thanks for writing an update. Take care all of you and lots of love! Great Aunt Mary O

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! We are so happy the babies are here and doing well. We can't wait to see them!
Brad and Amy

Anonymous said...

Wow! We are so proud and happy for you both. Although we pray for you all every day, I haven't attempted blogging until today - I had to read your words and see the babies...the miracle of God's blessing of children and the unconditional love you share with each of your babies brought tears to my eyes. Can't wait to hug you in person ~ Love, The Packards

Jac Tubre said...

First of all way to Geaux Graf quads! Don't worry, Pius will come around - we have a lazy giant (or Moose) too! And the sweet little lady Danna on CPAP already – yahoo! I don’t think it is a coincidence that she and Tyger were born at EXACTLY the same weight – I smell a Tubre-Graf wedding in our distant future. I say distant because Tyger isn’t allowed to date until he is 30 if his Momma has anything to say about it! Aren't those first poopie diapers just the best? And those little cries just reassure you that they are alive and o.k. I never thought I would be so happy to hear my children cry. Billy – I hope now you see why I was so happy for mine to cry when you guys visited the Cupcakes. I couldn’t be happier for y’all. Keep up the great work and see you real soon in the NICU.

Now for the tongue lashing – you can’t be first to post on your own blog! I am outraged and would like to bring this matter before the high court’s dishonorable Judge Ryno (self proclaimed first to post champion) while he is in town this week. I will file the appropriate paperwork with court magistrate Moni tomorrow.

Love you guys (is that what you say in Kansas instead of y'all?)
Jac

Anonymous said...

The babes are adorable, angelic, awesome, heaven-sent ... and all the other beautiful words your family and friends have used. Get this, a dear friend of mine told me she heard about the delivery last night while she was at the Bishop Carrol game! Wow,just a day old and already they're the most popular B.C. kiddos. Aunt GGr and Sam

Unknown said...

i'm w/jac-- how can you legally be a 1st to post champion on your own blog page?!
interesting...
:O)

Anonymous said...

Front page of today's Wichita Eagle! The angels are already the local darlings :O) Love you guys! Auntie GGr and Sam

Gretchen said...

So many wonderful things! I'm loving the update- and especially the fact there is yet ANOTHER head-strong Graf woman in the family. Danna- you're awesome!
As for Billy's comment on the top- I'm going to have to say I admire his technique. He's a tricky one, that Billy Joe.
Is Monica recovering nicely? It must be such a strange experience to no longer have four little ones moving around inside of her. My first graders were FREAKED out when I drew a picture of four babies inside of a stick-figure woman. At the same time, once they calmed down about it, they wanted to know why there weren't ten. Yikes!
Love you guys (yep, Jac- seems to be a Kansas thang)!
Courtney

Gretchen said...

Just read the newspaper article- the Graf family is truly a batch of superstars! I think Bishop Carroll should give your family some sort of future scholarship- the way Billy advertises for that school is incredible. XOXO....

EMO said...

You guys are famous! You made the front page of the Wichita Eagle. I was so excited to see it, and then to see a new blog. Now I can't wait to see the pictures. How awesome that the Grandparents are there. Keep up the good work!
Love
Erin

Anonymous said...

Monica and Billy,
The updates are fabulous. So glad to hear how well everyone is doing. And your family is there for Thanksgiving! How wonderful. Have an absolutely fantastic holiday. Moni I sure hope you are feeling good. Sure looks like you are moving around an awful lot just having major surgery. The Eagle did a very nice artical on you guys, would have loved to have seen pictures. It was mentioned in the artical that Kelly Graf was in charge of acquiring help with the household when you get back, tell her to sign me up and feel free to give her my number, I know there are lots of people at work that would love to do whatever they can.
Happy Thanksgiving (and what a great thanksgiving it is)
Debbie and Dave

Anonymous said...

Hi Billy and Monica--

This is Courtney (from your MAYB summer team) and her Mom. We wanted to congratulate you on your babies. Paula gave me your blog site and we've been checking on you guys daily (you guys are so hysterical!). The babies are so cute and we are so glad they are doing well. Monica--you are my hero--it's hard just having one baby.

Congrats!

Sandy & Courtney

Andria said...

Bittersweet! Well done! Happy Thanksgiving to you ALL!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Billy & Monica! Your little angels are precious and so tiny - how amazing. We have been following your journey and couldn't be happier for you and your new family! The babies are so lucky to have such incredible parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc! You all will continue to be in our prayers!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Much Love,
Ryan and Lindsey (Runge) Wasinger

Anonymous said...

I loved the update!! I just want you guys to know that I got on that blog at least twenty times yesterday to show everyone the pictures of my niece and nephews!! I am so proud of those little guys and I haven't even met them yet!!! Tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life!!! I can't wait to see you guys!! And I'm really excited to meet Jac too!! I love you guys more than anything!!! Love, Auntie Lainie!!
And Adam says congrats and the babies are beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Amen!!!! We are so happy and proud of the two of you. They are all so beautiful. Cant wait to actually see them in person and touch and feel and hold and love each one of them. Prayers are still coming your way. Great aunt Rosie

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving to all 6 of you. We will continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Enjoy you time with your families I know you miss them a lot. The pictures are really neat, the babies are beautiful.
Take Care
Love
Ross, Brenda, Jennifer and Brandon

Anonymous said...

It has been a euphoric feeling today - I can only imagine what it must feel like in PHX. We love you and miss you - enjoy this time with your family - both immediate and extended.

Moni, how are you feeling? Take care of yourself, little momma. I am so proud of you.

Billy - You do the Grafs and Selenkes proud, you know that?

Love you all.

Steph

PS) I only thought this site was addictive while the babies were in utero . . . now it is almost obsessive :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, Billy Congrats. They all are cute as can be. I am glad they are doing well. Take care.

Jocelyn said...

Congratulations!! I've been keeping up with your blog from LA and Erin and I are telling every bartender we meet all about our new cousins (so the news is spreading on the West Coast quite quickly). I can't believe they're all finally here! I was starting to think they would just chill in Moni forever and she would just keep growing! But, of course, I am so excited they decided to grace us all with their beautiful presence and I can't wait to meet them and watch them all grow in to miniature Billy and Moni's!! I am so grateful you guys have let us in on your wild ride that has only just begun with your little miracles!!
Love to you all!!

Jocelyn Cohrs

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! They all look like little Ronin's, only with more hair than he has now at almost one year old! You have an emotional few weeks ahead of you but remember that it doesn't last forever. They are going to all grow up so fast and soon enough you will be wishing they would let you hold them like a baby again, rather than trying to get into EVERYTHING they shouldn't be. Billy, your comment about getting excited to change a diaper made me laugh, I felt the same way when Ronin arrived; you and Monica will soon be recollecting the times in the NICU when you didn't have to change all the diapers yourself. Now Brandon and I draw short straws for whose turn it is to change the smelly ones. Monica, keep the pumping going, you will soon have more milk than you know what do with, erm, then again, maybe not, you have four mouths to feed! I am really happy for you guys. Love all six of you!
Tracy

Anonymous said...

Congradtulations! We are so happy for you both. Sara thinks the babies are beautifull. Give them all a big pep talk from Coach Maze and tell them to be strong and we look forward to welcoming them to the Dub soon. Take Care.

Josh Maze & Sara Urenda

EMO said...

Darn it, I guess I will go to bed and maybe wake up to some new pictures!!! (and no, I am not rushing you, but you did say in your post that you would put some pictures up today) I hope the family visiting is going well. I also hope that Monica and the babies are doing great!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love Erin

Anonymous said...

those are some awsome babies congradulations!!! The girls and I were so tickeled to see there pictures yesterday my computer was off line in the morning and cox got an earfull till I got those pictures up on line congrats again.
We love you!
Jenni and the girls