Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas...but OUCH!

Merry Christmas everybody! The Graf squad had a very healthy day, but half of the quads had a somewhat painful one. Pius and Forrest got circumsized this afternoon. Moni and I decided that it would be a perfect Christmas present. Laine wasn't quite ready to handle the traumatic event yet...plenty big enough, but not oxygen ready quite yet.

As some of you may have heard, we are looking at bringing Forrest home within the next week and Pius a couple days later. Pius is bigger and eats more but Forrest needs the least assistance. If Danna was a couple pounds bigger, she would probably beat everybody home. She seems to be doing the best with everything except for the weight gain. Laine is doing well too, but when you combine his size with his feedings, he isn't quite ready yet.

As for mom and dad, we were able to enjoy some cocktails and good company with some new acquaintances that we have gotten to know since being down here. Moni's friends, Dave and Deb White introduced us to some of their family, who were gracious enough to call and invite us for their family's Christmas Eve dinner. Grandma Ruth was there, along with Deb's Aunt Mary and Uncle Dan, and her cousin and her husband Jill and Mike with their three kids. We had a great time visiting, and thank you for getting us started on our kids' DVD collection. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay for dinner because Moni and I had already planned a date for Christmas Eve. Unfortunately again, the Broncos ruined our date with another embarassing effort against the Chargers...sometimes we wonder why we love them so much.

After our date, Moni came home and wiped out for a few hours. She really isn't being a wimp, she actually has mastitis (basically a painful boob infection). She got started on some antibiotics for it and seems to be feeling better. Hopefully this will be the last hiccup in her recovery.

We had a great Christmas day together. It will probably be the last one that we get to sleep in for and do what we want, so we really enjoyed it. We had planned on going to a movie but decided that we were having so much more fun being bums. Our last 24 hours has consisted of: midnight mass at St. Gregory's, visiting the kids shortly after, being woken up by family all morning calling us, visiting the kids again, going to the QT for lunch, going back to the hospital and helping Pius and Forrest through the trauma, and then coming home and getting ready for a baby or two (putting together the pack and play crib, doing laundry, which seems never ending, and cleaning the apartment).


Now for weights and lengths:

Pius- He is 18 3/4 inches long and weighs 6 pounds, 6 ounces.


"Whaaaaazuuuup!"

Forrest- He is 18 inches long and weighs 6 pounds, 4 ounces.
"Ho, freaking, Ho."

Danna- She is 15 inches long and weighs 2 pounds, 10 ounces.

"Dad, I'm a little freaked out right now!"


"Thanks, mom, for not making me wear a hat."

Laine- He is 17 1/4 inches long and weighs 4 pounds, 1 ounce. Laine was never awake to try on the Santa hats, so you guys get a bald Laine. Also, we realize that Laine is kind of getting the shaft with the pictures. We both personally promise to improve on it because, really, Laine is the one who is awake the most therefore deserving of the most pictures.

"My plan is working to perfection! I like to elude the camera like dad."

We had a great first Christmas and Moni and I are so excited to start bringing the babies home! We will be back to Kansas before you all know it. There's no place like home, Toto.


Moni had to search way back and fight Billy tooth and nail to publish this pic.


Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Billy, Moni, and the P.F.D.L. Fliers (that is the name of Billy's Guitar Hero band). Yes, he is a dork.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wahoo!! Merry Christmas!
Love, Mama Budda

Anonymous said...

What precious-looking elves! This blogspot is the best Christmas present ever! It just seems like it brings you guys (ya'all) closer to home.
I can't believe I was "1st to Post--Major, Major Championship!" I'm only on this site a zillion times a day!
Love to you all!
Mama Budda

Moni Graf said...

Mom, what are you still doing awake? It's WAY past your bedtime! Love you, Moni

Anonymous said...

Ha! Those darn Diet Cokes!
And..What are YOU still doing up?
Good Night! Love you bunches!
Mama

Anonymous said...

Moni and Billy,
Merry Christmas! We are so pleased to hear everything is going well....except for the mastitis. That sounds like a good plan bringing one home at a time, if it were me, that would certainly help me get organized, rather than all four at once. This way you have a little one on one time as well. Sounds like things are going great!
Dave and Debbie

Anonymous said...

Wow Bill, you are cheezing again in that pic below. I miss you guys! Monica I hope your boob gets feeling better. Mine are both a little sore to?? It must have been Rizz licking on them all night last night! Darn Dog! GEESH! I don't know what I am going to do with her?
Love you guys

Anonymous said...

Thanks again for the fabulous post. Christmas Eve at the Barn was fun, but I definitely missed you. Bob's Party Barn was an awesome venue - everyone in one room - we had to spend time together :) The tree looked great with all the ornaments - I'll work on making a copy of the dvd we took. Oh, and, Congratulations on Ryno's great news. You must be ecstatic to know he's having Tony Romo's baby. Love to all. Steph

Anonymous said...

Well,
Here we are still missing you in Wichita. So glad to hear that you all will be closer to coming home soon....Babies, babies and more babies. The whole community can't wait to welcome your family back where it belongs. We miss you.
Denis and Barb P.

Andria said...

Love the post with updates! Wow! Sounds like the quads are eager to get home! I can't believe how fast that was. What a Christmas gift to the two boys - gosh, when might you tell them the story of their First Christmas? Poor guys, I hope they're recovering well. It still sounds like a full-day even though you played "bums". And knowing that next Christmas is going to be pure chaos makes this one most treasurable(?), eh? Little Danna is such a fighter for her size. What incredible odds she's surpassed. She'll be catching up to the boys soon enough I'm sure. Congrats on 1/2 of the pack home...I'm sure you'll be taking lots of pics for us, right? And Midnight Mass? Way to go!!!! Ours was at 5:00 - our priest is too old to be up that late! LOL. Count your blessings...or is that too many?
Enjoying your blog from Sacramento, again!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to all of you! How exciting that you get to start bringing them home! That will be wonderful( minus being sleep deprived), but so worth it! I read your blog everyday but rarely get to post because Gwen is a crazy 18 month old and want so attack the keyboard. Anyway, it makes my stay at home day interesting so thank you Graf Quads! Gwen loves to stare at the babies she always yells Baby, Baby!

Love
Erin Barthelme

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas. Thanks for the pictures of them in the hats. Hope they didn't squeeze their little heads. They have grown so fast. Way to go! That is wonderful news that Forrest and Pius will be leaving NICU soon. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers.
Dana & Tom Goertz and Family

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are priceless. I am headed down to the barn and I'm going to make myself something with the pictures. I can't believe how fast they are growing. Dana those hats are adorable. I miss you all bunches. Love Grandma Vicki

Anonymous said...

Great post! I loved it of course!! The pics are adorable!!! Those little angels get cuter every day!! I love to see all of the new pictures! I thought the picture at the bottom was good! And the color coordination on the blog was awesome!! We missed you guys big time at Christmas!! And I can't wait to see you soon!! I love you and miss you!!
Love, Auntie Lainie!!

Anonymous said...

Hey B&M.
Hey P,F,D, & L.

Merry Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year.

Loved the post.

Sorry I haven't been around. It took a while to get out of bed after Monday night. We did go to midnight Mass to at St. Edwards. Had the whole pew full of Parrows and Grafs. Very cool.

I'll have to show you one of my presents next time we visit. It's a Derrick Thomas jersey. Can't really bring myself to tell Julie about my switch though.

Love from Tejas,
T&J
Jo&Lo

Bucko 43 said...

Hi,Billy Monie,Pius,Forrest,Laine, and Danna. The blog was great as always. I'm so proud of you and your family. It will be so good to have you all home. So glad you had such a great Xmas.Yes, that will probably be your last quiet one for years to come. We had a great Xmas here to, but missed you alot. Love to all and looking forward to all of you coming home. Love Bucko

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year all you Grafs! I'm just getting caught up on the site since I haven't been on for sooooo long, we're having computor problems. Gosh, everyone looks great and those kids are really growing, I can hardly believe it. What a bunch of troopers. Thanks so much for sending the pictures with Becky, EVERYONE enjoyed them, they are so cute. It's good to hear that all is going well with all of you, keep up the progress. Love to all, Aunt Cathy

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year all you Grafs! I'm just getting caught up on the site since I haven't been on for sooooo long, we're having computor problems. Gosh, everyone looks great and those kids are really growing, I can hardly believe it. What a bunch of troopers. Thanks so much for sending the pictures with Becky, EVERYONE enjoyed them, they are so cute. It's good to hear that all is going well with all of you, keep up the progress. Love to all, Aunt Cathy

EMO said...

You meanies. Circumciscion on Christmas? Not very nice at all! How awesome about 1 or 2 of them coming home! Did you have better luck putting together the pack and play then the Tubres did?
Love
Erin

Anonymous said...

Hey guys! Great post, thanks for the update! It is great to hear the docs are starting discharge planning! Before you know it, the Graf house is going to be PACKED! Wild and crazy for sure! How fun!

Call/text if you get time! We can't wait til you all get home!

Talk to you soon!

Delane and Dan

Stacey Faber said...

Hi Billy, Moni & Babies-

I'm glad to hear that you had a good Christmas and were able to spend it enjoying time together--that's my favorite kind of "bumming".

I thought I'd give you an update on the Fabers:

We spent Christmas Eve with Fabe's family and then made a quick trip up to KC and back on Christmas Day to be with my family.

Lia had knee surgery today and it went well. She had the same kneecap deal done that Kelsey had done a few years back. With any luck, it will work better for Lia than it did for Kelsey. Her pain hasn't been unbearable yet but once that nerve block wears off I'm sure she'll feel it. She's handled it all well and has had a steady stream of visitors this evening (surprise, surprise!).

For Christmas, I transferred all of the old BC game films from VHS to DVD and organized them for Fabe. He seems excited about it having them all at his fingerprints and hopefully the DVDs will have a longer life than the VHS. When you get back, you'll have to come over (what with all of the free time you're bound to have!) and we'll pull out some of your games from "back in the day!"

Well, I'd better go. As always, hugs and kisses to you all. We miss you and love you!
Stacey

Anonymous said...

I received a Christmas card this year that described Jesus as: Mighty God, Shepherd, Counselor, Messiah, Immanuel, Redeemer, Savior and .... Physician. Yep, He sure can do all things. And He sure can make us whole. Your family of six are living examples.
(Hmmm. Looks like the Holy Spirit is working through that bottle of wine I finished off last night.)

Huge love from Aunt Gloria and Sammy Joe

Anonymous said...

Ok, I have created my first to post catagory - The wonderful Christmas card we received in the mail today. What a great card!! I loved the picture on the Blog but I love it as the card even more!! I also have to tell you Moni about strech marks ( I know this goes waaaaaaaaaaaaay back on the postings but I am obvisouly a little behind on posting), I did not get them on my stomach this time but I did get them on my ankles! It may have something to do with the 25lbs of water weight I gained the last two weeks and then had a heck of a time getting rid of. Ok, gotta go finish getting dinner ready - Evan will be home soon. Will post more later,
Love you all!!!

Becky, Evan, Ashton and Avery

Anonymous said...

Hey Grafs!!! Merry late christmas! The babes are adorable! So glad to hear that two of the boys will be home soon with their parents, let the fun begin! Happy New Years to you and the fab four!
Lana

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a great Christmas, even though you were away from home. We loved the picture of the kids with Santa you sent and the pictures of the babies on the website are precious. We know you can't wait to bring them home to Kansas. We love you all.
Mary Ann & Fritz

Anonymous said...

Billy, Monica and babies you all look great. We are glad that Forrest and Pius will be home soon and hopefully Laine and Danna will be right behind them. Hope you are feeling better Monica. The pictures are really cute. Mark was delayed 4 hrs. getting out of Hays yesterday and then he was delayed in Denver so he finally got home about 1 am. Originally he was supposed to be back by 8:30 pm.
We got more snow last night so we have quite a bit of snow on the ground. We will all miss you tomorrow at the wedding but we will be thinking of all 6 of you.
Take Care
Love
Ross, Brenda, Jennifer and Brandon

Anonymous said...

Dear Moni and Billy, we cannot wait for you to come home. The pics are great but not the real thing and we must meet these new little Grafs that we have known since May!!!! Trust me when we say that we feel like we have known them for a very long time.
Do you ever get tired of me saying how beautiful you all are!!!! So sorry about the BREAST thing. Have heard that hurts big time, but with 3 kids I was so blessed not to ever have that. And my 3 boys were great suckers!!! Sure the circs. hurt tooo!
We missed you this Christmas and all the Wesely West festivities(esp. all of the patients and back up times)oh, the food munchies were good, but look on the bright side we have New Years Eve to look forward too. Can't wait.

lots of love
Anita

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the Christmas present! Best ever!!!
Love ya!
Mama Budda

Jennea said...

I bet I know what you got Mama Budda...was a highlight I bet! It was sure a highlight for me!

Jennea

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year...The gang at West Acres always ask how things are going with the babies. We do miss you on the league. Will be happy to see the whole family back home soon.
Love to you all
Sharon

Anonymous said...

Billy and Monica it was great seeing you at Katie and Eric's wedding yesterday. That is great news that Forrest and Pius are going home soon. Hopefully all 6 of you will be home back here in Wichita soon. That was a awesome present for both of your parents and all of us that were at the wedding. You both look great and so happy.
Take Care
Love
Ross, Brenda, Jennifer and Brandon

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to all you Graf's. They all look so good, and are really growing! Wow I can't believe they will be home soon. It's good one at a time, you will get broke in a little easier! Can't wait till you get home to Kansas! Nothing like a BIG HAAG welcome home! We promise we won't scare them to death, or you too.
A late Merry Christmas to you too.
Many Prayers,

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Sounds like maybe the proud parents made a road trip over the holidays. I am sure it was wonderful for you guys and all those here that have been missing you. I have been anxiously awaiting news that the exodus has begun, but understand now why the postings have been delayed. Moni, hope you are feeling better, it will make that full time parenting so much sweeter. Billy, great posts, keep up the good work. Will see you guys in January when you return to KS. Happy New Year, hold on tight!!!!
Melody

Jac Tubre said...

Alright yall, we have been patient long enough. You think you can just stop blogging now that you are world travelers? Sorry if I just burst a big bubble for your next entry, but I see a few comments that allude to your sneaking around.

What is going on with my second favorite set of quads? Are Pius and Forrest eating table food yet (that doesn't sound right - they aren't dogs for goodness sake!)? Has Danna ripped out her feeding tube? Is Laine ready to bust out of the NICU right behind Forrest and Pius? I can't take it anymore - update the blog for the sake of my sanity. You are my only hope!

Billy - good job cheering Bama to victory. The thought of cheering for "The Tide" makes vomit pool in the back of my throat (sorry, that was a bit graphic), but I did it for the sake of the SEC. Geaux SEC!

Kel Kel said...

Dearest William and Monica,

It was AWESOME seeing you on Friday night. I'm not gonna lie, I peed my pants a little. What a wonderful surprise. Props to Goertz for being your sneaky elf. He'd be a gigantic elf if he were an elf. I hope you were able to feel all the love that surrounds you - you are so important to so many individuals. You are loved. And those rockin' babies are loved ass well. They are priceless.

Love you and can't wait for you to be home for good,

Kelly, Russell and Louis

Anonymous said...

Loved the Christmas Card. The picture was priceless Since we have been on vacation I think I am missing some news. I think I have figured it out but will wait till you up date the blog or till I see your mom on Wed. I hope you have a Happy New Year!!! I am looking forward to your return to KS and hope to have the chance to help you guys out when you get home.
Janet N.

Anonymous said...

Please please post an update! I'm not going to lie...I'm really having update withdrawals. And since it's been so long please make it a really long one!!! You can't bore us. Trust me :) Hope all is well. Andrea Wallis

Anonymous said...

Dear Moni, sooo sorry I missed you this past week-end. I know that you had a busy week-end. Glad so many were able to update me on how wonderful you looked and so extremley happy. Dr. Dillard stated absolutely beaming!!! I know it will not be long till you are back with everyone and I can see you and hopefully help you out some. Know right now you are busy with 2 boys home and you are in my prayers for stength and peace.

Love You
Anita