Wednesday, January 9, 2008

"He ain't fat, he's my brudder!"

Hi everyone. We thought we would give another update because today was a big day for the Graf Quad Squad (and because we like to spoil you, Erin). We now have half of the crew together. Pius busted out of the NICU today and we were all so excited. They both slept for the first 4 hours together. Monica had an appointment so I took the two of them under my wing. I think Monica actually wanted to test me as much as Pius and Forrest. The kids both took their entire bottles, were diapered, clothed, relatively clean, and the house was still standing when she got home. I, on the other hand, was curled up in the corner in the fetal position sucking my thumb and calling out for my mom. Just kidding. The boys made it very easy on me. They both slept the entire time. As soon as Mom came walking through the door though, they heard a voice they both knew and trusted and they were wide awake and ready to eat again.

All four of them continue to eat well and are doing remarkable considering they aren't even supposed to be born yet. They would have been due on January 21st. As for their names, many are probably wondering where we came up with such "odd" names. We agree, they are kind of different. We thought that we would use this post to enlighten everyone on the childrens' namesakes. Pius James is named after my maternal grandfather, Pius (Papa) Selenke, and Moni's father, Roger (Papa) James Haag. Forrest Michael is named after Moni's maternal granddad, Forrest Dewey, and my father, Michael (Gampy Stubby) Graf. Danna Lynn is named after Moni's maternal grandma whom they called "Dana", Doris Dewey, and my mother Vicki Lynn Graf. And FYI, Danna is pronounced like "Anna" with a D. Laine Ryan is named after my maternal grandmother, Elaine "GG Bucko" Selenke, Aunt Lainie and Ryan Seacrest (we really love American Idol, it has NOTHING to do with Uncle Ryno Graf). Just kidding...I hate American Idol.

Pius and Forrest's first meeting away from the hospital.


Forrest a touch unhappy about sharing the spotlight.


Now Forrest is deciding if Pius can be trusted in his Boppy circle.


Forrest is still a little weirded out. Pius is thinking it may be a little harder to eat Forrest than it would have been to eat Laine.


Forrest is finally warming up to him, little does he know of Pius's dinner plans.

Thank you to everyone who has left comments. Even those who we don't know that have commented, it is good to know we have thoughts and prayers coming to us from all over the world (don't worry German peeps Tina and Maik, and Emmy and Andy, we know who you are).

We can't think of anyway to end this other than to say what we have already said and MEANT a thousand times. We love everyone, thank everyone, and can't wait to get home.

The Graf Quad Squad

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

first to post! championship!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! You should be so proud!
Debbie and Dave

Billy Graf said...

Ryno,

Monica and I have decided to strip you of your "first to post" title. In order to claim "championship" you must post something of substance, or machine gun post right after posting the championship comment. Those are the rules...if you don't like it, take your ball and go home.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful almost fat babies! A lovely site! Danna Banana will kick a**!!! I know this is a family blog but she will!

Billy Graf said...

P.S. Congrats to Debbie and Dave for being the "first to post".

Anonymous said...

That was one of the funniest posts yet! Even your dad was laughing, Moni! I could actually picture Billy curled up in a corner! Sounds like you are doing a great job!
Love you-all!
Mama Budda

Anonymous said...

Those are some beautiful boys! Way to bust out Pius! Just wait till your little sister gets home then the fun will really start. Drama, drama, drama!!This from a mother with 3 girls and 1 boy! Love to you all, thanks for the updates Moni and Bill you two are unbelievable! Love,
Rosie Duling

Anonymous said...

Hey guys!

I just wanted to say hi and see how you all are doing.
It is funny how mad Forrest is and yet Pius is just sleeping away!
The pictures are so fun to look at.
By the way, I need to get my flu shot so I can actually see them in person someday. I will get on top of that!

Lots of love and prayers
Mandy

Anonymous said...

Aww...I love the new pictures of the chunky monkeys!! They look so good together!! I love it!! It was good talking to you tonight to hear about everything!! I miss you guys big time! And I love you even more than I miss you! And that's a lot!!
Love, Auntie Lainie!!

Anonymous said...

Love the pix and love the captions! By the way, I got my flu shot at the Health Department today. I told the (tiny) nurse that the quads would be coming home soon and I want to increase my chances of being a caregiver. She said, "Oh, was that your husband who was here for the same reason? I couldn't believe it when he said quads." Fess up...who is posing as my husband??? Anyway, I would bet my weight in gold that 'he' was talking about the same quads that I was. FYI, cost is $30 and it takes a couple of weeks to be effective. Line up, folks. Hugs and kisses, Aunt GGr and Sammy

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your captions under the kids pics every time, it makes me really giggle and it will be amazing for the kids to read through when they get older!!!! You guys have proved over and over again what wonderful parents you are! I cant wait to see you and i look forward to meeting and holding the little cuties!
Katie Strunk

Anonymous said...

Billy and Monica,
Those pictures are great - it's like they are telling a little story, so I will narrate for Pius and Forrest, starting with the first picture. Pius is holding Forrest's hand and tapping him on the shoulder saying, "Hey bro, I am the oldest and I will take care of you man." In the second picture, Forrest is saying, "Alright man, enough of this touchy feely stuff, get your hands off." In the third picture, Forrest is saying, "I was here first, so give me some space man." In the fourth picture, "Pius is looking down at Forrest saying "I'm not scared of you, I'm bigger than you" and Forrest is scratching his head saying, "Okay, maybe it wasn't such a great idea to mess with the heavyweight." In the last picture, Pius and Forrest have made their peace with each other and are now scheming, saying "when we get our diapers changed, you pee on mommy and I will pee on daddy." Ha, just kidding, but those pictures are awesome, and they are only going to get better when all 4 of them are together. Congrats to Pius for making it home!!! I know Laine and Danna are right behind because the quads always stick together. Thanks for all the updates and pictures, especially since your free time is becoming very minimal.

Goertz

Karen said...

I'm so happy for you guys! Those two are looking so big and content, well, mostly content. Is there any timeframe on the other two? No rush - I'm just really getting excited for you to move back to the big W! (There's no place like home!) Take it easy and talk to you soon! Karen

Anonymous said...

Those boys better hold on to their hats because the real boss isn't home yet. Everyone knows that every little girl always gets her way. Danna will make sure the world revolves around her, I'm sure. The boys may think there is strength in numbers, but they have never been up against an only girl.

Bucko 43 said...

Hi Graf bunch. What great pictures. They are going to be quite the group. They are so darn cute. You are doing a great job keeping us posted. Love and prayers to all. Tell Laine and Danna Hi for all and hope they are close behind Pius. Bucko

Unknown said...

I have been following your journey on Asher and Jacob's Friends site and am very thankful your group is getting along so well. Just one more thing, I grew up in Wichita, Southeast'65, yes I'm old! Many prayers from South Dakota (where I now live).

Anonymous said...

Yea! I am sure Laine and Danna will follow soon. Congratulations!

Janeen

Andria said...

Aww, precious pics! And awesome narrative on the name selections. Thanks! How long did it take to come up with those? I really love family names and think it's a honor to name others by people special to you. Neat.

Way to go Billy on the Stay at Home Dad trial. Way to go Moni on the perfect timing! ;)

2 down, 2 to go!

Anonymous said...

Yeah!!! I think the quads know exactly what you guys need - to bring each home in shifts so you can get used to the routines one at a time - how ingenious!! They learn so early these days! So glad to see Pius made it home and you can chalk one more off the list... Can't wait to see you all!!

Renee

Anonymous said...

2 down 2 to go!! go babies go!!! How exciting. You guys will be returning home before you know it. I know you guys will be busy with two at home now. But I will be looking forward to seeing some new and improved weights on the two that are still in the hospital. I have a feeling they won't want to be left out and will start putting on the pounds. Good luck to you guys. Lots of love to all 6- Andrea

Jennea said...

Awesome updates. I miss you guys...cannot wait to see the quads. They are all looking good, but how can they not with Graf/Haag genes! Love you all!

Jennea

Anonymous said...

We are glad that Pius made it home, it will be easier to figure out a routine with 2 then just add the other 2 to the mix. The pictures are really cute. They seem to just be growing by leaps and bounds. To look at them now it is hard to believe that they are premies. How much do they all weigh now? Hope you are sleeping some while the babies are sleeping. We will keep all of you in our prayers and hope to see the 6 of you all back home soon.
Take car
Love
Ross, Brenda, Jennifer and Brandon

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to let you guys know that I always look forward to looking at the pics you post. Your babies are so adorable. Congrats! Pius and Forrest look like they are getting along great.

-Angela Hampton

Anonymous said...

Definately the most amusing post of all. So Billy, did you have to feed both of them at once or did you manage to get away with one at a time? I can't wait for your test with all four of them.
Tracy

Anonymous said...

Can Pius's hair be styled in a mohawk also? They are so cute!
Love ya!
Mama Budda

Unknown said...

ok miss you moni and im glad things are going so well...i do read often but find myself rather busy so sorry i dont post much.
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Hey guys! I am not used to this frequent posting! I missed a day...and look what happens! Congrats on Pius' break out! Keep us posted. And Deb is right, you guys should be VERY PROUD! Your kiddos are beautiful!

Delane

EMO said...

I LOVE being spoiled!!! I agree with a couple of the other posters, I think this was the funniest blog yet. The pictures are great. How much fun! Billy I am soo proud of you for watching both of them by yourself. What a great daddy! It won't be long now until you are all home!
Love
Erin

Budda said...

I just keep going back and looking at those precious little guys! Hope you two (and Becky)are getting a little sleep.
Luf ya!

Budda said...

PS...poor Ryno. He really does do a good job of posting first. You go Ryno!

Anonymous said...

Proud of you Billy, Knew you had it in you!!! You 2 will be excellent parents. All of the other little ones out there will be so jealous of the kids. Billy wanted to tell you that Northwest got killed!!!!! by BC last week in wrestling. Like 72-16. BC has very good kids and the coaches are great. Wish Northwest was half that good on the coaching.
Babies are beautiful as always and amazing what you said that they should not even be here yet. You guys and kiddos are walking, talking miracles that will be a wonderful bed time story for the rest of your lives.

Love you loads!!!
Anita
ps! still miss you terribly!!

Anonymous said...

ADORABLE! I wish you knew how many people ask me how the famous quads are doing? It's amazing. I love reading all your posts and looking at how much they have all grown. Can't wait for them all to be under the same roof! I hope you will still have time to post some pictures and commentary : )

Mallory Williams

Stacey Faber said...

Hi all!
What beautiful pictures (of course!) and I can always count on you for some laughs! It's so exciting that Pius has gotten to come home and hang out with his brother. Thanks for the text message announcing his arrival--that made our day!

Friends won tonight at home against Bethany--but it ended up being much closer than it should have been. We'll keep working at it, though!

Talk to you all soon! Take good care of each other. We love you and miss you all!

Stacey

Jac Tubre said...

They grow up so fast! I just caught up on the blog (I admit – I missed the last 3 postings…I guess you will have to just shoot me). Love the comment about the pants and Laine moving fast – you are too funny! I have Emma in my lap (always) and she is drooling over Forrest. He is so darn handsome! And what a wonderful sight to see him and Pius lounging in their boppy! I am so happy for yall. I can’t wait for you to get the other two home – then the fun really begins. Enjoy all the snuggle time you can.

Miss ‘you guys’,
Jac

Anonymous said...

Too, too cute! Loved the post and you two are doing a wonderful job keeping us all updated. Sorry I missed you on your surprise get away to ICT. Love you guys!
Crissy

Anonymous said...

So glad to see two home now. Before you know it, you'll have all four home. You should be a writer (for all I know, you just may be) you crack me up. The boys look so cute together.
Take care!
Lori

Jac Tubre said...

One other thing - like I mentioned I am catching up on past posts and I see Frosty has an umbilical hernia...so does Emma...coincidence...I don't think so. This is just another sign of their meanttobetogetherness. Yes, I'm allowed to make up words...get off me.

Oh and Moni – on the environment shock Pius is going through (he may be over it already for all I know). All 4 of mine did the same thing for one or two nights – they get better…I promise!

Love your circus -
Jac

Anonymous said...

Glad you have two home now!! Hugs from Dallas to all six of you!!!

Anonymous said...

The pics are so dang cute, I cant stop looking at them! Thanks so much for keeping us updated! We love you guys and can't wait for all of you to be home!
Alyssa Roberts

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Bill and Moni,

Classic post...the kids look great. For Bill's sanity it's a good thing they are coming home one at a time. It's hard to imagine that you will get to a point when having 2 or 3 at one time will be a "break" for you, but I'm sure you will get there.

Always good to read up on all of you and I'm really looking forward to when you get back to Wichita.

Take care,
Sergio

Anonymous said...

They are sooo adorable! How fun!!!
Erin Barthelme

Dena S. said...

I've been following your adventure everyday since October and decided after your last post that it was time that I logged in like you asked. I laugh everyday by the posts and of course the ongoing race of who "posts" first!Congratulations on a beautiful family and the names are just adorable. Tell cousin Becky hi and for me and ya'll are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dena Jo

Anonymous said...

Thank you thank you thank you for allowing us to "laugh" with you and for keeping a sense of humor throughout the sanity - aka Parenthood. It's much more fun this way (i.e. Addie got into my makeup and "experimented" - rather than get mad, I have great pictures saved for all posterity!). On another note, I have a few items you might need (read - crib sheets, crib-sized mattresses, and toddler beds that Tegan, Eason and Addie want the babies to have). Let me know if you want them and I'll keep them in storage until you're ready for them. Love to the six of you!

Steph

Anonymous said...

Hi Milly and Bonica, also hi to Lorrest, Dius, Fanna, and Paine,

(I had to go with that, it started as an accident.)

Looks like life is proceeding great for you guys. Have you decided which two you're going to keep and which ones will be given to us? :-)

Keep on keeping on. A month from now (which isn't really long) you'll have a whole different situation. I'm sure you'll continue to see the humor and blessings in it all. God doesn't give you anything you can't handle. His resources are endless too.

Love, Peace, and prayers from Austin,
Uncle "Shanahan", Aunt Julie, Jolie, and Logan.

Anonymous said...

We are so glad that Forrest and Pius are at home. They look so cute together and looking at each other. The cute Graf family is finally getting it all together. Love the pictures!!! Can't wait to meet them in person.
Love, Mary Ann & Fritz

Squiggle Wiggle & Maggers Moo said...

Two home. Wonderful news. Congrats and keep up the good work. Sleeping is a thing of the past!!! Congrats from Wichita.

Gretchen said...

Dearest Cousins- It's been a while since I've commented- I struggle with what to say on these things because everyone else is so damn creative and loving with their thoughts and feelings. I just look at these pictures, and read your words, and am filled to the brim with pride and love. You are all amazing.

Billy, I wonder what your response would have been if we could have seen into the future on one of our drives when both of us were still in high school- and you had just started dating Monica. "Guess what? I saw into the future- and you're going to have quads! And I'm going to get my baby from Ethiopia!" Whew. I think we both would have panicked and taped my mouth shut. Or we would have looked at each other and laughed. Either way, I can say with confidence that neither of us would change any of this for the world.

I love you guys....

Anonymous said...

Sorry we missed u in Wichita! I'm glad u got to get away! Enjoy all the pics and hearing about your exciting days and nights! They are such beautiful babies, and growing so fast. Thank you for sharing all of this with us,
Cuz
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Adorable pictures------Adorable babies!! Glad to hear all is well.
I had to laugh about the comment you or someone made about just waiting on the others to come home---you can practice now for the future when they are teenagers and you are once again waiting on them to come home. At least this go round you know where they are, who they are with and that they are well taken care of. Continue to enjoy every minute they grow up so fast. Tamra

Lauren said...

Yeah, so apparently I'm not so good at figuring out how to leave comments...jeez, I've been having issues trying to figure that out. I have been reading all the blogs. I love hearing about the babies and seeing their pics. They are adorable. I miss you guys so much. I can't wait to meet them!! Love you guys, give them all hugs for me!!Love, Lauren (the coolest cousin)