Third Birthday Pictures

Marmi with her "twin" girls.

We did our best to celebrate the kids despite illness. Gracie and Seth felt totally fine, thankfully, so they got to be the ones to blow out the candles. Marcie just wanted to be held and looked half-asleep, and Will spent much of the evening (and past few days) whining and crying. David perked up for a couple of hours, but he's still feverish today with what we assume is the roseola Will and Marcie are recovering from. We'll see if it afflicts Gracie and Seth. (If it does, I pray Seth doesn't lose any more weight!!)

Papa admiring the cake with Gracie.

Our neighbor Johanna brought over her son's leftover birthday cake, so there was a cake with candles for Seth and Gracie to each blow out, although Gracie ended up blowing out both sets. Seth was trying to blow from too far away, and when I lifted him up he didn't want to blow them out anymore. Nevertheless, seeing him grin and blow reminded me of how far we've come in three years! I think it was three years ago tomorrow that he was moved onto the oscillating ventilator due to pulmonary interstitial emphysema: over-dilated lungs causing his blood oxygen levels to plummet, the beginning of a scary ride that lasted several months. It's such a delight to have this bright, verbal, loving, active blonde boy in our lives! It's a delight to have EACH of the quints. They're so unique and precious, and they look out for and love each other dearly already.

The kids enjoying candy birthday watches:

The following three photos were our best attempt to get a family photo. Gavin's parents gave it their best shot. If we'd forced David to turn around he'd be crying in the photo, so there was no point in that. Will and Marcie were already miserably sick.

Isaac being silly in his dad's hat

Too much cake? ;)