Saturday, September 27, 2008

Surviving Ike

A little late notice, but we survived Ike. The power went out at midnight the night of the hurricane and we were fine until it started getting hot the next day. The babies slept through everything and only started getting fussy when it got hot. I don't know if they were fussy because they were hot or if it was because I was fussy and fussiness is contagious. I do not like being hot and I do not like not being able to flush a toilet! Add to that no help because everyone was trapped and I knew that we had to escape. Luckily, our family friends, the Davisons, took us in.

Now it is no small feat to pack up and travel with five babies and it takes big hearts to open a home to the chaos and sheer amount of stuff that goes along with quintuplets. Stella, Rick, Harper and Stuart not only let us stay with them, they helped us with every feeding, they called in recruits for night shifts, let us sleep in the Master bed room, babysat while Stephen and I went for a walk or sat in the hot tub and let me take a nap every day. (p.s. Harper and Stuart are in High School, so it melted my heart to see them want to love on my babies! ) It was almost a mini vacation. They are building a guest house at their home and if it were complete, Stephen and I would have moved in indefinitely... (Probably the first time they are thankful for the slow construction... :) )
Rick, Stuart, Stella & Harper
Stu & God Cousins

Harper & B/F/F Holly

The Babies Pallet for Hurricane Week

Our church is in Katy, so we were also close to TONS of additional help! I think a move to Katy might be in our future.

I had my first outing without the babies today... I stopped by the GE sales office to see my co-workers and then went to have an al fresco lunch with my girlfriends. I had a really good day because I really missed seeing my work friends and then LOVED seeing my girls. The only glitch in the day came when I was waiting for the valet. I waited and waited and waited... I thought that they didn't want to pull the van in front of their restaurant, but turns out they lost my keys. Long story short, Amy took me home and Dana found my keys stuck to her key chain from the valet. My helpers for the day were pros and all babies got fed despite my not being there, although the panic I felt is something that I don't want to feel again!

Funny thing... At lunch one pregnant girlfriend had a question for the "moms" at the table... I automatically turned and looked at the other girls not realizing that she had included me in her question. Ha!

Baby Update: They are growing like weeds! Their little personalities are coming out... Luke is so serious, Mitchell is laid back, Ivy is high maintenance and is starting to show a temper, Sidney is our Diva and Briellen our little bitty princess. They are all really sweet and good babies.

Last week weights (13 weeks old)
Mitchell - 8 lbs. 4 oz
Ivy - 7 lbs. 11 oz
Luke - 7 lbs. 4 oz.
Sidney - 7 lbs.
Briellen 6 lbs. 4 oz.

They are all looking like they have reddish hair... Are we going to be the Weasleys?

Mitchell

Ivy

Sidney

Luke

Briellen

11 comments:

  1. I have been following your blog since pregnancy and those babies are BEAUTIFUL. I am so happy for you and your family that all are healthy and doing so well. Looks as if you have had a few nice breaks and you are so deserving of that as well. We also live in the Houston area and just had our power restored yesterday...it was better than winning the lottery! Take care.

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  2. I went through Gustav in Baton Rouge with my 9 month olds, and it was awful! I can't imagine adding two more babies to the mix. But like you, it bothered me more than the babies! :)

    Your babies are beautiful, btw. Makes me feel like a wuss with just three. Hee hee! :)

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  3. I am so happy that you guys are doing so great....I was hoping to getting over to you, but got a couple of sick little ones....they are beautiful!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

    Love ya,
    The Brown Bunch
    GGG-20 months old

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  4. I am so glad you guys came out ok and had a place to go! If you move to Katy, we will have to have a playdate when we come see my parents.
    The babies look awesome!
    Take care,
    Misty
    MOMto gggg quads

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  5. Ellen,

    We are so relieved to know that all of you are ok. I had called and texted and heard nothing, but I figured the cell service was down. I cant believe how beautifual and big all the crew is getting. We love you and miss you all very much.

    Jess, Jon and Ben

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  6. Oh, I love all the new pics!!!! I will miss you guys tomorrow.....hopefully I'll see you on Wed.

    Suzanne

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  7. I *loved* seeing Harper's pictures of that weekend on Facebook. How awesome are the Davisons?

    Thanks for keeping us updated.

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  8. I checked on you often after the storm. I am so glad everything worked out so well for you guys through it. The babies are getting so big and SUPER CUTE!! Doing great mama!

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  9. Awww, so sweet. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. I am so glad to hear y'all came through the hurricane well. Y'all have been in my prayers. All of the babies are so sweet. You can really see they are related through their eyes.

    Sounds like they are growing well and doing well. Isn't it wonderful how God provides for your needs even during difficult times? I never cease to be amazed.

    Hugs to all of y'all.

    Shelly

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  11. Hi Ellen,
    It's so much fun to check on your blog every now and then! The babies are so adorable. We're also excited for the Reid Family. Baby Quinn is precious!!!
    Love to you all,
    Debra from Austin

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