"Birthday" confusion

Hi all!

Several people have asked me to clarify what I mean when I say the quints' actual birthdate is coming up (this Friday) but that they are really just 9-month-olds. In case I've been too confusing on the blog, when I say "adjusted" age I mean the age they would be if they had been single babies and had been born on their due date, November 3rd. In my mind that is really the day they will be one-year-olds. Right now I consider them 9-month-olds because that's what they are, "adjusted" for being born 3 months early. My reasoning (and that of the therapists and preemie specialists) is that we wouldn't expect any other baby due or born in early November to be walking or talking yet, so neither do we expect ours to be walking and saying their first words. David, of course, is ahead of the curve, being able to stand on his own and climb things. Seth has been running about a month behind other kids his adjusted age (so he's more like an 8 month old, thanks to his extended hospital stay) but that's only in the area of large motor skills. He was the first babbler and has been the first one to learn to say and wave bye-bye. He is clearly just as bright as the other babies! It's so much fun to watch him play and "talk" and problem-solve. His small motor skills are excellent. Speaking of which, all the babies have a great pincer grasp when picking up their food, although Will thinks a fistful is better than two fingers' full. ;)

Seth laughing at Aunt Samantha:


All this to say, this coming Friday, and all week long in fact, I feel like we're celebrating a year of God's amazing faithfulness and goodness and the miracles He's done since these little ones were actually born. We're going to be in Arkansas with my family, so there will be no big birthday shindig beyond cake and a couple of presents - mostly so they can have a few new toys to keep them entertained while we enjoy some peace, Lord willing! In November I hope we can host an open house for the babies' due date.

Another BIG reason I don't consider the babies one-year-olds is that time is flying by too fast, and I want to be able to think of them as 9-month-olds and savor each day! They are just so much fun.

Thanks for caring and celebrating with us, and for praying us through to this day!

Love and gratitude beyond measure,
Carrie