This was the kids first day in church since they arrived. Many brethren were so excited to see the kids. One of the church's elder eventually prayed on thier behalf.

Aburime& Ose

It was fun carrying all four kids at once. Sure they enjoyed the fatherly touch of Ose's Dad. Soon it would be difficult to carry all four together because they are growing very fast.

May God, our lovely father keep us eternally in his arms that no one can snatch us from his hands.

Aburime

FAMILY PHOTO

From Left: Ose, Ruth(Ose's Younger sister), Chavela, Ose's Cousin with Valencia, Ose's Step Mom with Noah, Ose's dad with Alyssa, Ose's Mom with Bibiana(Her Favorite), Ose's Cousin, Osalahor(Ose's younger sister) and Anthony, my brother. It was a full house for three days. Ose dad and her step mom with the cousins have since returned to Edo state. Ruth, Osalahor and Anthony stayed back. The kids are doing great. If you look carefully, all girls now have ear-ring on their ears. They have their ears pierced about two weeks ago. They cried but it made them more beautiful.
We love you all. We still wonder how much you were so willingly to sacrifice just to keep our kids alive. Today, they look so well kept because you cared.

Thank you

Our hearts are with you!

What a Caregiver!

Sshhh Sshhh... be quiet! be quiet let mom sleep. Chavela seems to be telling Valencia and Alyssa. What a thoughtful caregiver she is. But soon she became very tired and took her bath and slept quietly beside her Mom.

PLEASE WE NEED A SHOT WITH THE BABIES

We just arrived at the Abuja Airport and we were very exhausted and tired after a long and hectic journey. But some passersby must take a snapshot with the babies whom they consider as "multiple blessings" Please let us take a snap shot with them... please we just want to be a part of this multiple blessings..' they pleaded, so we have to stop and meet their request.

I was sick and tired so i quietly went and sat on a seat while Ose managed to put up a smile.

BIG SISTER CHAVELA ENJOYS BEING A CAREGIVER

Its been a mixed feeling for us coming back to Nigeria. Things are not as organized as in US but family is an eternal joy to enjoy. Today caregivers were late in coming and Chavela has to take up the challenge of feeding Alyssa. She was tutored by me and i think she learnt very fast. She was excited to feed the baby and i think Alyssa enjoyed the touch of her big sister. She slept thereafter. At four, Chavela is already learning the lovely act of caregiving and we pray to God our father that she grow to become a pride to the church and to our family. May all Glory and praise be unto our Father who loves us and is able to supply all our needs in Christ Jesus.

Home safely!

The family has arrived safely home to Nigeria! Many thanks to Delta, who treated them like royalty at the airport and made the travel arrangements smoother than we thought possible. It was a bittersweet goodbye, the completion of a good work. A challenge and a blessing, many times greater than we could imagine. God's incomprehensible plan continues to amaze us as He pours out His love on this family.

Below is a note from Mom:

Hello friends, we had a wonderful trip home. I've been so busy settling down. We thank God for His mercies. Chavela is really excited about the babies and she has watched the slidepictures and was amazed about the number of people that helped. For every gift that had a name on it, she asked who is this and I was made to call peoples name. She has carried the babies and wished they could talk. I cried when I saw my daughter because she was big and I've missed her so much. I cried after I left Atlanta because it dawned on me I was not going to see your faces for sometime. I miss you all and I wish again I was there. Love you all and remain blessed.

Here are Mom and Dad along with a few of the coordinators who have worked with the family. Dad came bearing many gifts, among them these beautiful Nigerian outfits that we were proud to wear. Thank you!

Volunteers

Above is just a small sampling of the many many wonderful people who gave their time and love to this family. We gathered on Sunday afternoon around some good food, warm fires and adorable babies and we sang songs and prayed over this family that we will miss terribly.

Daddy's Girl

Miss Valencia recognized her Daddy right away and could not take her eyes off of him. She smiled and stared for hours after he arrived. It's amazing how she just knew him.

Welcome Daddy!

It was an exciting morning! Dad arrived safely from Nigeria and everyone is thrilled. We were all so excited getting ready for his arrival that we forgot to tell him that we were coming to the airport to get him! Mom didn't even know the plans and scrambled to get ready this morning. Dad's plane landed early and we were late getting to the airport. We tried to have him paged at the airport, but he was so singularly-focused on getting to his family that he didn't hear. We caught him with his bags loaded and one foot in the taxi! Because we were in such a rush, we didn't have the cameras ready for the reunion. We made him turn around, go back, then run towards us again so we could get a picture!

It was a very touching moment. Mom reached up to Dad and said "Is it really your face?" We can never really know the struggles they've had to manage being apart. After less than five minutes of joyful reunion, they began making plans for logistics for the babies - return travel, care at home, supplies, etc. The challenges are many and the work never-ending. These babies will never know the sacrifices that their parents have made on their behalf. But that's as it should be. We do our best to let them grow happy and healthy and let the cares of the world be our burden and not theirs.

Welcome Daddy! Enjoy your mini-family reunion. It's just a few days until the return trip to big sister in Nigeria will make it a full family reunion. Your US family will miss you terribly.

"Okay, we have to know the story here!"

Here we are at our final pediatrician appointment. (From left to right: Bibiana, Valencia, Noah and Alyssa). It was a crowded day so at first, two of us went into the waiting room and two of us waited in the hall. Everyone ooohhed and aaahhhed at us in the waiting room - "oh look, twins!" - then they caught a glimpse of similar carseats in the hallway. Wait a minutes here! We had everyone very confused. Plus, we were with two caregivers who don't look very much like us. (Mom was busy getting our visas). Finally, one mom in the waiting room said "okay, we have to know the story here!" Everyone is always excited to learn about us and we're happy to share how we've been blessed so far. We got a chance to say thank you and goodbye to our favorite nurses, doctors and staff at the pediatrician who have been so kind and helpful. You've helped keep us healthy enough to fly home, so thank you!

The Countdown!

Here are a few more pictures to enjoy. We are happy and healthy and excited about our trip home! (Not sure how our fellow airline passengers will feel about us, but we'll do our best to behave). We still need some luggage if you can help with that - see the posts below. We've accumulated a lot in our short little lives! Plus, there are supplies that we won't be able to get at home. We can't wait to meet our big sister and all the extended family that will be there to greet us. Our pediatrician has told us that we are healthy and big enough to fly, but we have a few more shots to get before we leave (ouch)! They have taken very good care of us and will miss us once we're gone. I don't think that office has ever seen quadruplets before! We are a big hit wherever we go.

Please come to visit us in the next week and a half before we leave on the 9th. We'll look forward to seeing you!

Alyssa

Valencia

Noah

Bibiana

On Saturday Mom and babies went on an outing to the mountains. They went to an orchard and a pumpkin farm. At one point the group encountered a family with triplets and had a funny exchange when the triplets' parents were in awe of the quads.



Alyssa

Valencia

Noah

Bibiana

Time is running out to come and enjoy this family before they return home on the 9th. Please visit the Volunteer Spot link in the upper right corner.

On Thursday we had another Mommy Day, but she was not the only one blessed by the day. Several caregivers got to spend one on one time with a baby in their home. A peek behind the scenes...


Valencia has her caregiver for the day and ready to go.

Bibiana is looking forward to her day out. Look at the excitement! :)

Alyssa poses outside her home away from home away from home for the day.

So much love, one tiny gift from God.

Alyssa blows kisses as the day begins to wind down.

--------
They are still in need of travel bags/suitcases, something along the lines of duffel bags on wheels, light and large. We found one at a thrift store for $4!
If you have some you don't need or can check your local goodwill/thrift store, here is the airline/ticket criteria:
For each ticketed passenger(4) 1-carry on = 45"/40lbs and a handbag/diaper bag and 2 checked pieces = 52"/50lbs. Each lap child(2) gets 1-bag = 45"/26lbs. So that is 8 checked bags and 6 carry on.
The size is calculated by height+length+width.
Any help finding more bags would be wonderful! You can email Carol at cehcherry@yahoo.com.

Yesterday was "Mom Day" and it went very well!
4 different people had babies for the day and Mom was able to take care of some things she needed to do in preparation for travel home.

They are still in need of travel bags/suitcases, something along the lines of duffle bags on wheels, light and large. We found one at a thrift store for $4!
If you have some you don't need or can check your local goodwill/thrift store, here is the airline/ticket criteria.
For each ticketed passenger(4) 1-carry on = 45"/40lbs and a handbag/diaper bag and 2 checked pieces = 52"/50lbs. Each lap child(2) gets 1-bag = 45"/26lbs. So that is 8 checked bags and 6 carry on.
The size is calculated by height+length+width.
Any help finding more bags would be wonderful!
you can email me at cehcherry@yahoo.com.

Travel Update

Passports have been applied for and tickets have been purchased.
Dad will be arriving November 4th, then Mom, Dad and babies will be heading home to Nigeria on November 9th!
Wow!

This past Sunday the babies went to church for the very first time and they were a joy to everyone they came into contact. Snuggley happiness is how one person described each of the babies and no one disagreed. :)

Granted this is a snuggley moment as Valencia exercises her opinion but the others don't appear to be too out of sorts. The babies are amazing in these moments!

Alyssa and Valencia having a girl time chat.
Ah! A quiet moment or two. This is snuggley happiness!

If you want to enjoy these moments please use the Volunteer Spot Link in the upper right corner and sign up.

Mom has some beautiful wrappers and one day we got inspired to take some gorgeous baby pictures using them. God has blessed this family and these babies continue to grow and thrive as proof. Volunteers are a huge part of this blessing. There is a link in the upper right corner to the volunteer web site where you can sign up to join in this time of grace and love.


Bibiana, Alyssa, Valencia and Noah waving "Hello!"

Bibiana (her turn to wave "Hello!"), Alyssa, Valencia and Noah


Bibiana, Alyssa, Valencia and Noah. The others may sleep during the photo session but Bibiana wants to watch everything.

When the babies first started leaving the hospital Alyssa and Valencia were sharing a crib then brother Noah joined them and it was still perfect. Until the babies began to grow and suddenly the Alyssa and Valencia began to reenact the classic backseat on a road trip "she's touching me" antics. :)


Alyssa uses her elbow to "suggest" Valencia moves.

Valencia "suggests" she does the same thing. :)


But look at ALL the space and all FOUR are together at last!

The End(s)

Delta Skymiles

DONATING DELTA SKYMILES FOR EHIMARES: UPDATE

Due to the great generosity of two Northlake Church of Christ members, all the tickets are purchased for the family to return to Nigeria! Praise God! A special thanks (seems hardly sufficient) to these families, and also to those who put forth the time, effort and love into coordinating travel for this family that we will be sad to see go.

A peek into a day in the life, narrated by Mom with guest appearances by two of the volunteers. Enjoy!

Here is a group picture of us from Mom's camera. Brother Noah looks as though he is trying to hold Bibiana's hand. We are all getting so big and today is our gestational birthday! Come and see us and wish us a Happy Gestational Day. There is a link in the upper right corner to volunteer and even though we are leaving soon we still need the help and the hugs.

Big Boy!

Celebrate with us - Noah is now over 8 pounds! We couldn't be more proud!

Valencia, Bibiana and Alyssa

We love getting out and about! Come see us before we head home to Nigeria! (This was just a doctors visit but riding in the car is still fun.) And we get lots of attention when we're out. Then we tell people we have a brother too! They can't believe there are four of us.

When you do come visit, we love new music too. You could bring some of your favorite lullaby's or church hymns and maybe even sing to us? We also like to sit outside now that it's not so hot. We sleep really well when someone is holding us outside in the fresh air!

Can't wait to see you!

Love,

Alyssa, Valencia, Noah & Bibiana

Come visit us this weekend!

Here we are cozy in our crib. If you have time, please come visit us! Especially this Sunday morning and evening - we would love to see you! We really enjoy play dates and also meeting new people. Check the Volunteer Spot link in the upper right and sign up to come by. Thanks!

Getting Ready to Travel

Today we took photos for the babies passports! We waited until right before a feeding, thinking that would be the best time to get their eyes open. Noah and Alyssa did great, but Bibiana and Valencia gave us some trouble. A cool washcloth did the trick for Bibiana, but there was nothing we could do to get Valencia to open her eyes. Then she got really mad and squeezed them shut tight while crying very loudly. We had to abort, and try again after feeding her and she was perfect then! I think we got pretty good pictures of all four of them!

Also, the babies are 8 weeks old today (and still 1 week away from their original due date). Three of them are now over 7 pounds and Bibiana is just under 7, so they have been gaining weight like champs.

Alyssa

Valencia

Noah

Bibiana

More pictures

Just after a feeding on Saturday, we were able to capture a few more shots of the babies. They love to relax on Mom's bed, propped up on her pillows.

Alyssa, Bibiana, Valencia and Noah

Bibiana and sleepy Valencia

Alyssa and Valencia, the first two home from the hospital, seem to have a special bond. They enjoy sleeping close to one another and reach out for each other.

Valencia on Thursday, having trouble holding herself up.

One of Bibiana's best shots. A sweet angelic face!