Thursday, December 31, 2009

It's Fo-Fo Day 2010!

PB160154
This boy is just high on life!
Some of you may remember that New Year's Day means it's "Forrest Day" to the Graf Quad Squad. For those of you new to our blog, we kept track of each of our kids' release day from the NICU.  They will always share their birthdays, they share their clothes and toys, and everything else that multiples share.  So, their “going home” date has become their own special day to have each year….all by themselves.  To read last year’s Forrest Day Tribute, click here.
 
We got to bring Forrest Michael home on January 1, 2008. What an incredible way to start off the new year!  Some of this may be repetitive, but Forrest was our second biggest of the squad. He weighed 3 lbs., 9 oz. and had blonde hair. Forrest probably had the smoothest stay in the NICU, and he was a pretty happy baby boy.
Group 3_p 3_035
And the spoiling begins…..Gramma Bicki has her hand over Forrest while he was still inutero.  Budda has half of Laine and half of Danna.
t just chillin 1_n 1031_031
And then he was here in all his glory.  The NICU was an uneventful obstacle for our Frosty.  He graduated with flying colors!
1000514_514_004
Forrest was the 1st one to christen the Phoenix apartment after the NICU gave him the boot.
1000684_684_032
Who could forget that “jump out and poke you in the eye” umbilical hernia he sported for so many months?!
1000709_709_048 1000765_765_073 1001484_484_006   P9220134

PB020316Like we said…..a happy kid who enjoys being a part of everything that is going on around him!

 Those earlier days are hard to remember because little Forrest has turned into quite the brute. He usually is the heaviest and longest (not by much over Pius), but he is big. His head is big, his voice is big, his feet are big. We haven't had to worry about Forrest fighting the normal preemie size battle since he was about 6 months old and caught up to the normal age/size measurements.
PB010278
Our plan this year is to go through each of the kids' strengths and weaknesses on their "day."

Forrest's strengths:

Forrest is a very physically strong boy. Some of you may remember me taking them bowling about 6 months ago and him carrying around a 10 pound ball with relative ease. We are pretty relieved that Forrest doesn't quite realize his strength just yet, because when battles occur in our house it pretty much comes down to who attacks first (usually Laine). I really think if Forrest used his strength to his advantage he would be the dominant alpha male in our house.
PB250192

Braun AND Brains…..no big deal.

Forrest is the farthest along verbally of the four. I have stated before that he repeats EVERY word out of everyone's mouths, and that is still true. Forrest has some favorite words: NO, Jiggieeee (as in “get jiggy, Forrest….dance!”), Bwoncos, Bankie, TV, Peez-Dankooo-Welcome (in that quick successive order….all one phrase with him) and reindeer, just to name a few.
PB290297
He is EXTREMELY SMART! Forrest starting saying his "ABC's" at around 20 months old. No big deal some may say, but he's also been able to pick out any letter separately since before that. You can ask him to find a “T” (or any other letter) in the room and he’ll hunt one down like a bird dog on a mission.  That is a 2 1/2 year old skill and he has been doing that for quite awhile now. We’re not proud, or anything!  Forrest also loves to count. He can count to twenty relatively easily, and that also is well ahead of schedule. Maybe that abnormally massive head of his is holding an abnormally large-sized brain.  I don't know.
PB260253
Forrest is a good-hearted kid. He likes to make people smile (most of the time), and does some of the funniest things. I have a Broncos text with sound on my phone that all four love (any old school gamers out there that can recognize the tune to Tokyo Magnum?!).  But when they catch me looking at the messages on my phone, they all start saying "Broncos, Broncos" with the hopes that I will start it. When I do inevitably start the music, Forrest begins dancing and saying, "Jiggy, jiggy, jiggy" over and over. It is freaking adorable.
PC280305
Forrest: “Uh-Oh….here’s where things start getting a little dicey for me.  Better put my serious face on.”
Forrest's biggest areas for improvement (AKA weaknesses....we just don't like to call them that):
 
PC220185
Forrest is easily the worst at sharing. If one of the kids so much as touches a toy that he is playing with, he starts throwing a fit…..usually traipsing off into another room to scream and huff-n-puff, throw himself on the ground, and pretty much just be as dramatic as possible for as long as possible, or until something else distracts him.  Now if the others try to mess with his most sacred green blankie, all bets are off and he REALLY flies off the handle! It’s funny because if Forrest wants something the others are playing with, he will walk up, hold his hand out and say (so sweetly), "Share? Share?" But when HE doesn't get the item HE wants, the tantrum mode returns in full swing.  You know the saying, “What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is mine”?  Frosty fully believes that “What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is ALSO mine!”  He guards his belongings fiercely.

PB250203

Sweet Fo didn’t even want to bowl because he did not want to let go of “HIS” ball!  So he sat and watched everyone else play with his ball tucked securely in his lap and arms.

When Young Forrest goes into said "tantrum mode," he becomes extremely irrational. I don't know if that is a 2-year-old thing or a spawn of Billy Graf thing, but it can be very frustrating. That is also when his favorite word "NO" comes out profusely.
 

P9200030

The beginning stages of a melt-down.  They started at such an early age!

P9210120Fortunately, Forrest can normally be distracted pretty easily and will return to his charming self quickly.

Forrest also has an unsettling attachment to his blankets. He doesn't want just ONE of his blankies either.  He wants all FIVE of them AND his pillow to be taken out of his crib immediately after we pick him up in the morning, if not before.  Most days he won't even eat breakfast without at least one of his blankies in hand.  After obtaining his blankies and they are properly secured, he shifts to his next major attachment…..his thumb.  The thumb goes directly to his mouth (he no longer has a normal-looking right thumbnail due to it’s constant state of dampness).  It’s actually quite cute and endearing, but I’m sure it’ll be a bear to have to break him of his thumb and “blanks” down the road.  Let them be little, right?!?!
 
PB240171
So those are some of his best traits and his worst traits on Forrest Day 2010. We could not have asked for a better second child and we thank God for him everyday.  Because of all the things we have mentioned and so much more, we can not wait to see what kind of man he turns out to be! We already know that he is one of the best boys in the whole world and we’re excited to throw ourselves into these tumultuous TWO’s . We love you so much, Fo-Fo!
PB190258

Love,

Daddy, Mama, Pi-u-see, Dannie, and Wainer

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Celebrate Good Times……COME ON! (Halloween)

The last 2 months have been so busy for us. I keep waiting for a little breather, but it never comes. There's never a "good" time to blog, so I put it off and put it off and put if off. As is the norm, I have some catching up to do....from Halloween to their birthday to present. I have a feeling you all will be experiencing Graf picture overload by the time I'm through with you!

We'll just delve right in.......

For Halloween this year, my original plans fell through. The kids love to pretend they're flying (picture a bunch of toddlers leaning forward with their arms behind them, running around the living room saying, "Fy-ing, mama! FY-ing!") I had grand ideas of making little super hero capes for them and then having shirts made for each of them that read, "We're not twins.....we're SUPERtwins!" Get it? High order multiples (triplets and above) are referred to as supertwins. Just a little play on words. Anywho, that did NOT happen. So instead I had to come up with something a little more readily available. I remembered that I bought a bunny costume when we were in L.A. for the filming of America's Funniest Home Videos. It was on clearance for like $2.00 and I couldn't pass it up. I dug that out of storage and then did some brainstorming. Ah-Ha! Who is Bugs Bunny's arch-nemesis? Elmer Fudd! The boys have camo Fudd hats....voila.

The Graf boys went as little hunters and poor Danna was their bunny rabbit. A little sadistic and perverse, but that's how we roll. And like I said, the costumes were readily available.

Budda, Papa, Grampa Stubby and Gramma Vicki came over to help herd the little squirrels around our neighborhood. They still didn't quite understand the concept of Trick-or-Treating, but they definitely weren't complaining about the free candy! Except Laine....he didn't want to have anything to do with the rest of the group. He started walking over to Bucko's house and couldn't be deterred, so Stubby accompanied him while the other 3 hit up the neighbors.

100_4366

Our Banana Bunny....she kept a death-grip on those Smarties ALL NIGHT! I had to pry them from her hands several hours later.

100_4368

Laine had already taken off for Bucko’s house at this point.

PA310209Budda, Danna and Gramma Vicki…..No, that lil squirt is not loved AT ALL!

PA310212

This is the best pic I got of all the boys….too busy chasing my little hunters around. And yes, Billy dressed up as a beer. But only to compliment my costume later.

PA310215

Laine with his huntin’ rifle.

PA310216

Our next-door neighbor, Carolyn….divvying up the goods!

PA310218

Pius was ready to stop after ONE house! He parked his butt in the grass and started reviewing the contents of his bucket.

PA310225

Laine….not impressed with Halloween (this year, anyway).

PA310221

Grampa Stubby lovin on the Beaner

PA310226

Forrest with Budda and Laine with Papa Rog. Getting ready to knock on Bucko’s door (our last stop).

100_4373 Mama and her Peanut (notice how she is STILL holding tight to the Smarties!)

PA310243

Give the LaineTrain some food and he’s so much better. The boy can throw down some serious grub!

PA310231

Forrest made himself right at home in the favorite room in Bucko’s house.

PA310228 I think I know why Danna started walking so much later than the boys! The girl is ALWAYS being held and snuggled…especially when her grandmas are around.

PA310230 Pius will take time to stop and smell the flowers, but wastes NO time when it comes to unwrapping candy.

100_4374 After the kids were down, Billy and I dressed up and headed to my friend’s wedding……Yep, a HALLOWEEN wedding! I was a White Russian, if you can’t tell.

PA310274 Two of my friends from work, Jess and Brandie. By far, one of the most fun weddings I’ve EVER been to!

White Russian

Havin’ a good ol time!

PA310194

And Halloween wouldn’t be complete without finding some vile, creepy rodents snooping around our garage! I heard some rustling out there and went to investigate….found THREE of these nasty little creatures. Goo. Opossums really DO freeze when feeling threatened! I tried to shoo them out with a broom and the stupid things wouldn’t budge.

And that’s the low-down on Halloween 2009! Good times all around. Hoping next year the kids will “get” it and get into the trick-or-treating spirit!

Up next….their 2nd birthday! Yep, that was almost a month ago. However, my buddy Sandra shared a blogging trick with me that will save me TONS of time and frustration. HELLO, Windows Live Writer! I’m liking it already…

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Hello from the Grafs

Just a quick post so everyone knows we're still alive. Sorry about the posting delays. Maybe Moni and I will try to get a system going. In the meantime, here is a video, just to say "hi" to everyone.




Impressive, huh?! They've known their ABC's and 123's for a couple of months now, we've just been too lazy to film it. I apologize if any one got motion sickness from the video....Pius decided he was going to help me.

Billy

Monday, November 30, 2009

SO proud! Now It's Time To Get Shoppin'!

Hey everyone!

One of my extremely hardworking, dedicated, and downright fabulous fellow quad mommas and friend, Casey Gerwer, has put her creativity and drive to work and started an online business. On Cyber Monday DESIGNED FOR BABIES will be open for business!!!

Check out their trendy gear for moms, dads, babies, kiddos, expectant moms and even grandparents! They also have custom diaper bags/handbags, developmental toys and much, much more! I know we will be ordering some Christmas goodies from the easy to use site! It's so hard to find specialty clothing and items for multiples, so I'm to excited to have another shopping option for the quads.

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND PASS ON THE LINK!!!!!!

Thanks!
Moni

Thursday, November 19, 2009

HOLY MOLY!!!

Can anyone believe that the Graf Quads are 2 years old? That's right. 730 days have flown by since they were born and our lives are so much more rich, blessed and satisfying because of them. They are so big and smart......and incredibly good looking, of course. They were born 9 weeks early with a combined weight of 11 pounds, 2 ounces. We marvel at how they have grown and flourished since being released from the NICU.

We are so proud of them for everything they have learned and for all the things they do and WILL do in the future. We couldn't picture our lives without them and thank God everyday for giving us these four blessings (and for giving us the family and friends that have helped us survive these miracles). Our children challenge us, love us unconditionally, learn from us, teach us, and make us better people each and every day. The world is a better place because our quads are in it.


Pius James @ 2. Hamming it up!

Forrest Michael @ 2. Big grin from a big boy!

Danna Lynn @ 2. Daddy you're so funny!


Laine Ryan @ 2. Isn't it amazing?

Happy Birthday Graf Quads!
Love,
Momma and Daddy

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Birthday Boy!



Just a little shout out to the greatest Quad-Daddy, husband, friend, brother, uncle, son, grandson, nephew, coach and MAN of all time (at least in my books)! Happy, happy birthday Bill-boy! Hope your 29th year is just as blessed and happy as your previous 28 (except maybe 2006.....that year started out pretty rough for you with the whole car vs semi accident and traumatic brain injury thing. We can do without a repeat of that.)



Papa Goose and his 4 adoring goslings in the greatest city in the world (AKA Denver).....Let's hear it for those 6-0 Broncos! Pretty sure Billy would have Kyle Orton's baby.


I love you and you KNOW how much our children love you (anybody who has spent more than half a second watching you in daddy-mode can see that). Thank you for being so good to us. You have always had the ability to make people feel special and I truly treasure that attribute of yours. A person like you is ENTITLED to a "birthday week", as you so aptly bestow upon yourself. Better put your party pants on cause we're goin' to THE SIZZLER tonight!







WE LOVE YOU!
Moni, Pi-Pi, Fo, Beaner, Train



P.S. A MASSIVE post to follow soon about our recent quad-less trip down to the swamp. Stayed tuned.....it's gonna be a doozie!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Denver Trip 2009

"You should have seen that play that B-Marsh made. He made the Cowboys look like the Keystone Cops."


We made our annual visit to Denver for the Broncos home game against the Dallas Cowboys. When the 2009 schedule came out, Ryno and I picked this one to attend. For those of you who don't know, Ryno is ALMOST as passionate about his Cowboys as I am about my Broncos.

The Graf Quad Squad left Friday morning around 8, and made our first scheduled pit stop in Grainfield to visit Aunt Laverna and her son Roger. Laverna got us lunch from the Pizza Shack in town. The kids managed to destroy her house in the hour and a half that we spent there. We had a good time visiting with her. She gave each of the kids a beanie-baby animal for the ride. They love making the sounds each of their animals makes.


Aunt Laverna watching Forrest play with the most coveted "toy" that she had. She was a lot more trusting of our kids than we were. She kept telling us, "They won't hurt anything." Trust us, Aunt Laverna, they can and they will hurt EVERYTHING! Apologies for the limited photos we took here.....we were too busy trying to break up fights over toys, keeping the kids corraled as much as possible so they wouldn't pull on and send one of her many collectable-filled glass curios crashing to the ground! Ever tried to herd a bunch of rabid squirrels that ingested methamphetamines? Me either....but I can safely say I may be qualified now after our trip.

After we left Laverna's, we gave the kids their noon cup of milk, and they all fell asleep....except Laine. He managed to be quite LOUD for the 2nd half of the trip to Denver. It wasn't a cute, babbling LOUD. It was a screaming, pissed off at the world LOUD. We all survived though, and pulled into Uncle Bill and Aunt Armella's around 4 p.m. They bought us some pizza from Pizza Hut and we ate and managed to destroy their house in the hour and a half that we spent there.

We arrived at the Schwartz hotel (my Aunt Debbie and Uncle Billy's house) around 5:45 p.m. The kids were quite happy to be out of the car and be able to stay in one place for awhile. Debbie, of course, had a wonderful pot of chili for us to eat when we got there. The kids were ready for bed that evening and we put them to bed in their pea pods. Almost the rest of the Denver '09 crew (Ryno, Angela, Lainie, Adam, and Slim) got into town around 10 and we partied the night away.


Aunt Debbie made us all great food, and made some GREAT bubbles.

Saturday morning Moni and I realized that we were going to need to make different room arrangements. When I rolled over and Pius and I made eye contact (at 6:30 in the morning) it was over for us. The kids were awake and NOT going back to sleep. Well, when the kids woke up, that meant that the entire house woke up. It worked out alright, though, Ryno and Slim had a tee time, and the rest of us had all kinds of college football to watch. Aunt Debbie made us her famous biscuits and gravy for a brunch. Saturday day through the night was a pretty lazy day. The Denver '09 crew was complete when my friends, Randy and Lindsay, and my cousin Randy Kaiser and Aunt Marlene rolled into town Saturday evening. We had a great time hanging out and playing games Saturday. The kids were a little crabby because of getting up early and taking a crappy nap in the afternoon, but overall they were pretty good.

Sunday morning, gameday, started off with me on kid duty while Ryno, Lainie, Angela, Adam, Slim, and Moni met Randy and Marlene for breakfast. Moni went to breakfast because I was going to the game and she was staying with the kids. Randy Stanley and Lindsay went to get breakfast, and Debbie, Billy, the kids, and I had some bacon and eggs. While they were gone I taught our little monkey, Pius, the greatest trick yet. For those of you who don't know or really even care, Jay Cutler is a not very well liked person by us Bronco fans. Whenever I say to Pius, "What does Jay Cutler say?" He puts his fists up to his eyes and says, "Waaahhh." It is awesome. It was a hit with all the Bronco fans we showed it to.








The game went very well with the Broncos shutting down Tony Romo and the Cowboys and winning a very exciting game, 17-10. The defense made a goal line stand at the end of the game to preserve the victory. It was the best game I've ever seen live. We had a pretty low-key night since we had to leave early Monday morning. Moni said the kids may have been the best they've ever been Sunday while I was at the game. What should that tell me? Maybe they were happy to see me leave.

Monday, the 1st half of the ride went pretty well with the kids...except Laine. He gave us 22 minutes of LOUD hell, but other than that, he and all 4 of them were very good. We stopped in Grainfield, for an hour break, but because I had to tend bar Monday night we had to hurry home
.

Overall grades for the trip:


Pius-"A" (Pius was the best behaved the entire trip, car ride and in Denver.)



"Touchdown Broncos!" Pius celebrating his "A".

Forrest-"B+" (Forrest had a rough few minutes on the ride, and him and Laine had to fight at least a couple times a day).

I know we've used this joke before, but I hope these are the only bars he is ever behind.


Danna-"C" (The Banana Princess was wonderful on the rides, but she had a couple princess worthy meltdowns a day).


I guess being a "mile-high" wore Danna down or something.

Laine-"D+" (Laine was quite the Laine. Probably 1 1/2 total hours of screaming on the rides to and from Denver, and he caused most of the problems at our various stops at our families' houses. He did have some very sweet Laine moments, though).


This picture, however, is after one of his tirades.

It was a great trip. Thank you to all of our family for the hospitality. We can't wait until next year. Hopefully the kids will be wiping their own butts by then.

B, M, P, F, D, and L