SHEESH!!!

I was in disbelief this afternoon when I finally got a chance to check the website for the first time in three days and I see such venom from our faithful commenters. That is correct...the first time I have been able to check, let alone post, in three days. Moni has checked less than that even. Whew! You guys are some tough cookies.

Yesterday the kids had their first appointment with their new pediatrician Dr. Chavez. We went out, braved the wind, ice, and cold air and were there for our appointment five minutes early. And they cancelled schools...PFFT. Nothing can hold down the Graf Quads. Monica and I made the trip to the doctor without assistance, and after we got the kids stripped down and weighed it wasn't too bad. That first five minutes was quite the whirlwind however.

Getting ready to brave the elements for the first time.

Pius: Pius now weighs in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces. Monica and I were a little concerned because of his uncontrollable fussiness, but Dr. Chavez said he just has a case of "bad attitude." Pius wakes up screaming, goes to sleep screaming, and even manages to scream while eating sometimes. I should have prefaced the statement by saying that overall he hasn't been too bad. He just seems to have about a three hour spell where he wants someone's constant, undivided attention. It doesn't matter what time of day, or what has happened up to that point, he is going to have his three hour scream. He is doing very well, other than the occasional spit up, and is really growing nicely.

Forrest: Forrest also weighs 9 pounds, 4 ounces. He hasn't shown up on the growth chart yet, though, because he is 3/4 of an inch shorter than Pius. He is also doing very well with eating and with how he is feeling. He also has occasional bouts of anger, but can be relaxed for the most part with some holding or rocking. We had to ask Dr. Chavez about trimming fingernails because of little Frosty, because he scratches his own face from time to time. Neither him or Pius will stay "burritoed" up, and always have their arms free.

Danna: My little princess weighs 4 pounds, 9 ounces. She has done very well with her weight gain since discharge one week ago. She has gained as much weight as Laine has in his two-week departure from the NICU. She had quite the crazy 36 hour adventure starting on January 23. She went from the NICU (where she had spent her entire life up to that point) to a new apartment for a night, to an airplane, to a new house all in about a day. Needless to say, she was a little bit freaked out for awhile, but now she really seems to be settling in well. Since the first couple of days, she has really been quite the sweetheart.

Laine: Laine now weighs in at 6 pounds, 6 ounces. He has only gained 5 ounces since his discharge on January 14th. He is healthy, but Dr. Chavez wanted to start monitoring his weight gain more closely. So now, Mommy or Daddy, Danna, and Laine will go in each week just to check the weight gain out. He is taking his entire bottles and eats every three hours like the rest of them, but for some reason he just isn't gaining weight quite like his brothers and sister. The doctor isn't too worried, he just wants us to check in each week and make sure that everything is still going well.

Billy and Monica: We are doing pretty well. We get anywhere from 3 to 5 1/2 hours of sleep a night, and are still on the same team. We haven't started to complain to each other or about each other too much yet. I start back to work on Monday night at the O, and back to the QT on Wednesday. Monica has spoken with her manager at Wesley and is going to start back on the week of February 18th. Believe it or not, we are excited to go back to work and return to the adult world.

Happy Birthday to sweet Moni who took a giant step into her "late twenties" and turned the ripe old age of 27. We celebrated by going out to dinner. We were going to go to Tokyo Steakhouse, but they haven't renewed their liquor license and as most of you know, a momma needs her liquor from time to time. Instead, we went to TGIFridays and it was very good. We followed dinner up with a trip to Wal Mart to get few various items. What a great birthday treat it was for Monica to go to dinner and follow with grocery shopping.

Our families have been wonderful in coming over to help with feedings and such. The scheduling is going to begin next week as I return to the grind and we won't be able to be home as much. If you would like to help and haven't emailed Kelly yet, please do so soon so we can balance the times people are over. If you have forgotten the email it is grafquadscheduling@yahoo.com. Thanks again to the volunteers that she has heard from.

Getting ready to take the picture for The Wichita Eagle.

Billy, Moni, Pius, Forrest, Danna, and Laine Graf

P.S. I am still trying to learn the new computer and I haven't quite figured out the videos on it yet. I promise I will figure it out...HOPEFULLY sooner than later.