Gilbride Family

1st Holy Communion for Sophia & Sadie

2011-05-09T14:17:00.000-07:00

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.Let all that you do be done with love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Beautiful girls, happy day.

Belfast Bound... wish us luck!!

2011-03-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

Invite for babies 2nd birthday in Ireland!!

17 hours in transit from Houston to Dublin.... I will SURELY need a drink upon arrival!!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T11:39:00.001-08:00

Santa pictures-

The babies were NOT feeling Santa this year... maybe next?

Sophia & Sadie with Santa at a cheer competition- he's a little on the creepy side-

Halloween 2010

2010-11-09T09:43:00.000-08:00

Arghhhh.........

Saoirse, Jude, Gunner, and Ruby

Ruby

Gunner

Saoirse

Jude

Pumpkin Patch & Picture Overload

2010-10-29T07:24:00.001-07:00

We took the kids to a farm this past weekend and they had a blast!

Spaghetti Night

2010-09-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

The babies like to feed themselves now.... this is what it looks like-

And then the clean up......

Sophia & Sadie's 1st day of School

2010-08-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

Sophia is now in 3rd grade.... WOW!
Sadie is in the 2nd grade- where does the time go????? They'll be driving soon!!!

Backpacks....

Sophia & Sadie

Birthday Party

2010-08-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

We went this weekend to the Children's Museum in Houston for a friends (Ava)first birthday party-

The kids had a BLAST. I'll let the pictures tell the rest!
Saoirse loves pizza..... LOVES!

Jude had a blast!

Gunner

Ruby

Saoirse

Blue Bonnet Photos

2010-08-24T08:43:00.003-07:00

I never got around to posting these..... These were the photos we had taken in the Blue Bonnets-

3rd Day of School- Let the BREAK-DOWNS BEGIN!!!

2010-08-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

So day 3 is when the screaming begins.... I spoke with the teachers after we left and they said they all calmed down quickly- Ruby was the only one that was 'ok'.

Sophia holding Gunner

Ruby

Jude.... breakin down.

Saoirse- VERY dramatic!!

Day 2 of school 8/19/2010

2010-08-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Gunner. So far so good on his second day....

Jude did well on day 2 as well.

Gunner & Ruby

Ruby seems to like school so far!

Gunner

Jude

Gunner

Gunner and classmate-

Grammie and the boys.

Ruby

Saoirse- DID NOT want to have pictures taken this day-

Gunner

1st Day of School- Picture Overload!!!

2010-08-24T06:48:00.000-07:00

Jude- SUCH a big boy!!!

Gunner- AKA Curly mop.

Saoirse- Ms. Attitude!

Ruby & Jude- checking out the place~

Ruby- All giggles.

Backpacks & Lunch boxes.... NUTS!

Laura Mercier/ReVive Playdate

2010-07-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

Its CRAZY to see how much these kids are changing.... here are a few pictures!

The crew-

Saoirse... and the face.

This kid kills me.

Oh, Saoirse.

Ruby

Jude in full WORLD CUP support gear.

Gunner with his Italy shirt... :(

Diane and Saoirse- I really think I'm going to start using Laura Mercier's Body Bronzer on her!! :)

Swim Meet

2010-07-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Sophia & Sadie have been swimming for the last 8 weeks for the Pineloch Piranhas. This was their last swim meet and my FIRST attempt at using my new IFLIP. As you can tell from the videos, I need some practice.

This was a HUGE meet with over 300 kids participating. We arrived (after a 45 minute drive) at 6:30am and didn't finish until a little after 1pm. LONG day!!

This was Sadie's first year swimming (last year she broke her arm the week before it started). Sophia has been swimming on this team for 3 years now. They love it.

Here is the Medley Relay. Sophia & Sadie both swim freestyle in this and they are the last in the water. Sophia is in the lane closes to the camera and Sadie is in the lane furthest away....

Next is the Back Stroke. Sadie is the first to swim and Sophia is in the second race.

Small Preview... more to come!

2010-03-26T08:32:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of shots from the babies 1st birthday.

Jude.. such a sweet baby.

Gunner... REALLY the spitting image of his father

Ruby

Saoirse

Jude

Gunner

Ruby

Saoirse

Party Preparations

2010-03-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

They're in full swing.

This Saturday we will be hosting the babies first birthday party!! 91 people have confirmed- (wow)I must be NUTS!:) The weather for Houston on Saturday says 40% chance of rain- typical. Hopefully the luck of the Irish will turn the forecast around! NO RAIN PLEASE.

I am cooking 45lbs of corned beef and 60 heads of cabbage starting tomorrow. The best man in our wedding, Jerry Maguiness and his soon to be wifeCharlene are flying in from NYC on Thursday to help- Apparently Maguiness is very good at baking irish bread? I never would have guessed! :0

I CAN'T BELIEVE MY BABIES WILL BE ONE in less than a week? Where did the time go?

Well, stay tuned for pictures-

2nd Laura Mercier Play Date~

2010-03-03T08:56:00.001-08:00

This past Sunday we had our 2nd play date with the Gurwitch crew!! For everyone who isn't aware, in our VERY small office, 9 babies were born in 2009!! (I did have almost 1/2 of them :)

The first play date was at our house in January- Kaitlin, mom to Ava, hosted February's event. It was a lot of fun to see how much they all change in just 4 weeks- here are some pics of mine and then the 'attempts' at a group photo- THANK GOD FOR THE BUBBLE MACHINE!!!

Ruby and her pigtails!

Saoirse- serious girl!

Jude- big brown eyes....

Gunner- the escape artist!!

Saoirse & Jude chillin in Ava's corral!!

Ruby- PIMP MY RIDE!!!

Saoirse- really needs the thigh master workout!! :)

Christian (Ava's dad) and Jude... snotty nose!!

Here's what you get when you try and take a picture of 9 babies under the age of one:

Then add a $5 bubble machine from HEB and it gets a little better-

From Left to Right

Gunner- 3/23/09
Saoirse- 3/23/09 is behind him but you can't see her! :)
Remy- born in December and our newest addition to the group!
Ruby- 3/23/09
Perrine- 10/14/09 Jack & Perrine were born on the same day!!
Ava- (in red) 8/18/09
Jack- 10/14/09 -Jack & Perrine were born on the same day!!
Amelia- 7/26/09
Jude- 3/23/09

One of my older girls came to the rescue- thank you SADIE for helping!!

Got Dogs?

2010-02-10T13:57:00.001-08:00

We do.

Greta. Came to Houston from NYC. She's 10 now and the alpha at our home.

Litzel
Greta's sidekick. Loves to chase her tail... only she doesn't have one!! Also came to Houston via NYC. 10ish years old. She's a VERY friendly dog. Likes to put her nose as close to your face as she can~ BUT will not lick you! (Thank God)

Monty. Monty was at a shelter in Queens. The SADDEST & SMELLIEST dog ever. After a $30 cab ride to the ghetto, we sat in the most horrific waiting area and here comes Monty being dragged down a hall with a rope. Unbelievable. Needless to say, he has not been dragged since. Adoption fee of $250???, another $30 cab ride home, MULTIPLE baths, and a shave, we had our fresh & clean new addition. His namesake is one of my husbands friends in Ireland.

Suzy- Poor baby, she is one lucky dog, she found her forever home. She loves the kids. Vet thinks she is between 3-4 years old.

Suzy & Monty

Lucy. Lucy was dumped at a Sports Authority somewhere in North Houston on one HOT August day. Poor baby. 12+ years old, blind and partially deaf, this old lady was being taken to the pound for a sad ending. She now resides with us, spending her time going from a dog bed next to my bed to a dog bed in front of our fireplace. Lucy loves to swim and spent quite a few days last summer getting in and out of our pool. Good for her hips. Love her.

Believe it or not, I still have THREE more dogs to post about. More to come....

Dr. Visits

2010-02-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

Went for the babies 9 month check up yesterday morning (a little late as they are now 10 months!), and I am SO proud of myself. I did it SOLO. By solo I mean, I loaded all of the babies into the truck along with the quad stroller (which is super heavy and I prefer to use two double strollers),drove to the doctors office, unloaded all of them into the stroller and went to see the doctor- Had them all checked out, loaded them back into the stroller, then back to the truck, stopped off at Starbucks- and finally HOME. (I dropped them off at home with mom & nanny and then went to work?!?!)

Here are their 10 month stats:

Ruby
Weight- 21.2 lbs (75th percentile)
Height- 28 inches- (50th percentile)

Gunner
Weight- 24.4 lbs (90th percentile)
Height- 30.5 inches (75th percentile)

Saoirse
Weight- 22 lbs (75th percentile
Height- 29 inches (75th percentile)

Jude
Weight 18.9 lbs (10th percentile)
Height 29 inches (50th percentile)

Random shots of Jude

2010-01-21T19:24:00.001-08:00

Had to post these- It seems like everytime I get the camera out, Jude falls asleep or is screaming. Here are some cute ones I got of him on Christmas morning....

A Month Late....BUT better late than never!!

2010-01-21T18:11:00.000-08:00

Quiet before the storm....

Sophia & Sadie

Sadie's Horse (Sadie said to me, you can tell Santa that my horse is my favorite present but it would have been better if it was real like I asked.) Gotta love her.

Gunner

Saoirse

Jude and eyelashes his sisters are going to want to kill him for!

Ruby

My attempt at a shot of them all....

And again-

Last one- Merry Christmas!!!

Babies 8 Months Photos

2010-01-11T08:09:00.000-08:00

So late. They're already 9 1/2 months. I need to get their 9 month pictures up and will have to take their 10 month shots soon. I also need to add photos of Jude to this... will do soon!!

Here are some CUTE shots I got of Ruby & Saoirse. Saoirse is SUPER serious and you have to work to get her to smile.... and Ruby. Oh Ruby. Everytime a camera comes ANYWHERE near her, she makes these faces. :)

Rubys eyes and Saoirse's almost smile

Saoirse's Smile

Ruby and her crazy eyes.

Gunner- happy boy all the time.

Sophia's 8th Birthday Party

2010-01-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

Sophia turned 8 on December 2nd and we had her birthday party at Star Cinema Grill on December 12th. Here theme this year was The Princess and the Frog and we had 20 little girls come to the movie theater and see the movie. It was really cute and this theater serves food so as they watched, they ate their lunch. Very cute. She had a blast. One of my girlfriends had a cupcake company, Cupcake Couture, and she made the cupcakes- they looked like popcorn!!

Sophia

The cupcakes!!

Sophia and her friends....

We took up two entire rows at the theater!

The girls!

Festival of Lights- Moody Gardens

2010-01-11T07:34:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not updated this blog in AGES!!!! I'm going to now do a frenzy of blog posts....

We took the kids the week before x-mas to the festival of lights. They had a blast!!

Sadie & Sophia getting ready to see the Polar Express 4D!

A HOT MESS. Poor Santa.

Sophia, Sadie, and cousins Haley & Colby

Sophia holding Ruby and Sadie

Gunner & Saoirse

Jude... he slept through most of it!!

Cheer Competition

2009-12-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, so my two girls love gymnastics and had been doing it for a couple of years. While we were in the NICU, I put pictures of Sophia & Sadie in with the babies. One of our primary care nurses noticed them in their leotards and asked if they had ever done any cheerleading.... seemed like SUCH a good idea at the time! Once a week practice (compared to 3x's for gymnastics) both girls would be on the same team, and it is closer to our house. Well, the girls LOVE it and here are some photos from their 1st competition at George R Brown Convention Center in Houston.

Sadie is the 'flyer' in the front of this stunt (top right). They are actually moving with the girls in the air....

Sophia mid toe-touch!

Sadie getting ready to start her stunts...

Sophia in finishing a tumbling pass.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

So much going on, such a BUSY time of year... We had an AMAZING Thanksgiving meal at my sisters house this year.

Here are just a few shots of the girls and babies.

The family (my attempt at a photo.... :)

Ruby

Gunner

Saoirse

Jude getting his Thanksgiving turkey...

Ireland vs. France

2009-11-16T07:45:00.000-08:00

World Cup qualifier games are going on now and this weekend Ireland played France. We watched the game at some friends of ours house (they happen to be French) They just had a baby 4 weeks ago so it was nice to visit! They have a french station so the ENTIRE game was in French! No sub-titles!!

Ireland lost. :(

They play again on Wednesday (in France), hopefully they'll win this one or else they're out.

Here are my boys in support of their team (pre-game).

This is a random picture of Gunner- poor baby!!

Jude Peter

2009-11-09T07:49:00.000-08:00

Jude Peter(originally going to be Shooter!!)

Jude is my smallest child. He has been about 2-3 pounds lighter than the rest of the babies for some time now. It took awhile the Dr. and I to realize that Jude needed to be on 'special' formula. (neocate). After the switch in formulas, he has been gaining more and seems to be a lot less fussy.

After taking a look at the pictures, you will notice that Jude looks completely different than the rest of the babies. DARK hair, DARK eyes, and a more yellow complexion. He has the LONGEST, most AMAZING eyelashes ever. When he looks up at you, they almost hit his eyebrow. Lucky boy! I'm sure his sisters will be envious!!

We call Jude the 'running man'. I have never seen a child move the way this kid does. Whether he be eating, in an exersaucer, or on the floor, his legs are MOVING. RUN JUDE, RUN!!!

I will say this about Jude- for the most part he is a content child. But, when he is hungry or needs to be changed, he SCREAMS. Blood-curdling SCREAMS~ until his issue is resolved. He's something else.

Jude in the swing

Jude in crawling mode

Jude sleeping...

Saoirse Kate

2009-11-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

Saoirse (pronounced SOR-SHA if your from Belfast and SEER-SHA if your from southern Ireland)We say SOR-SHA.

Saoirse is a word in the Irish language that means 'freedom'. I have loved this name from the first time I heard it... I KNOW that she will be tortured in school as I am sure EVERYONE will struggle to pronounce it. She can always go by Kate :)).

For all of you who don't know, my husband is from Belfast. He immigrated here about 8years ago. His entire family still resides in Belfast. Since we've been married, we have made the journey to Ireland every other year. This summer, his family came over for the christening. Next Christmas, we will go there. Yes, 6 kids, 2 planes, and 14 hours. I cringe just thinking about it... but, we do have a GREAT time when we're there. My husbands family is great and there are SO many volunteers already for baby care! We might actually get a few good nights out in town- YIPPEE!!!

Saoirse was the first baby home about 2 1/2 weeks after she was born. Sweet, smiling, girl. Saoirse LOVES her thumb. She was the first to find it and keeps it in her mouth most of the time. Saoirse loves Yo Gabba Gabba. Its like she is hypnotized every time this show comes on.... she actually stops whatever she's doing, her mouth opens, and she just STARES.

Recently, Saoirse has also been very weary of new people. For example, some of my girlfriends from work came over, she SCREAMED when they tried to pick her up. She also hides her face in my shoulder when someone she doesn't know is talking to her... maybe she will be my shy one? Only time will tell!!

Here are some pics of Ms. Saoirse:

MOSQUITO BITES

Wet, teething, face!

Sleeping...

Gunner Paulson

2009-11-05T06:44:00.001-08:00

Gunner. This was MY name choice. I always said if I had a son, I would name him Gunner. It took my husband a little while to get use to the name, but finally he caved and said OK. My husbands name is Paul. Actually, everyone in my husbands family's name is Paul. You know in my Big Fat Greek Wedding, everyone was Nick? Well my hubbies family- PAUL. His dad is Peter Paul, grandfather- Paul Peter- nephew- Paul Richard, and he is Paul Patrick. OK. Enough said.

When his sister called me and said I would have to name on of them Paul, the wheels started turning in my brain.... After explaining the situation to one of my co-workers (thanks TRISH!!:)), she suggested PAULSON, and it was PERFECT!!

Now, when we found out we were having quads, and that there would be 2 boys and 2 girls, I immediately started with the names... My original names for my two boys were Gunner & Shooter. Yes, Shooter. I really do like that name! (When I was in NYC, I remember reading a page 6 article and there was Waylon Jennings son, Shooter. He was the coolest cat I'd ever seen. Really stylish and funky.) Well, after running this name by my husband- he informed me that he would be shot getting of the plane if he arrived back in Ireland after naming his two sons, Gunner & Shooter. So, Shooter became Jude!

Gunner is the SPITTING image of my husband. I mean IDENTICAL baby photos. The only difference is my husband is much darker... black hair and dark brown eyes. Gunner has my eyes and lighter hair (for now). Gunner is my BIG boy. At 7 months old, he weighs 21 pounds and is 28 1/2 inches long. He's been the biggest since day one and not much seems to have changed!! Gunner is also my happy child. When I say happy, I mean ALWAYS HAPPY. This child smiles from am to pm. He is also on the verge of crawling and crazy teething. He's up on all fours and rocking... then lunges forward-I think in the next few weeks he'll be EVERYWHERE.
Time to install the baby gates!!

Ruby Ailish Gilbride

2009-11-04T07:11:00.000-08:00

In the next few days I'm going post a little about each of the babies now as their personalities are REALLY starting to show. Today its about Ruby.

I have LOVED the name Ruby forever. Ruby Rubes. Rubix Cube. Ruby Booby. These are all of her nicknames. Poor kid. Her middle name Ailish (pronounced ALE-ISH) This is the Irish version of ALICE, which is my middle name and my grandmothers name. Ailish means in Irish "noble".
Ruby is our VOCAL child. Very demanding. If she wants you to look at her or pay attention to her, she SCREAMS, its not a cry, just a shrill, ear piercing SCREAM. Then, when you do head her way to see what's goin on, she smiles.... funny little girl. Ruby also has a HEAD full of curly, dark brown hair. Loves being held by her dad.... one of the best eaters we have: open mouth, insert food!

Ruby channeling Olivia Newton-John

Ruby... always talking! And the faces....

Peaceful.

7 month Pictures

2009-11-04T06:56:00.000-08:00

We got these GREAT stickers from etsy.com that you stick onto onesies for the first 12 months. I didn't start them until 6 months- so here are our 2nd set (7 month pictures!)

Jude

Saoirse

Ruby

Gunner

Also, here are some random shots on the swing in the backyard....

Ruby

Jude

Saoirse

Gunner

Halloween Preview...

2009-10-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

Last but not least, here is a 'preview' of the kids in their Halloween costumes!!

Sadie (as a Geisha) Erin (their best friend from Ireland) Sophia (midnight fairy)

All the kiddos HALLOWEEN 2009

Sophia & Sadie

Ruby (sugar baby) Jude (tootsie roll) Saoirse (smarties) Gunner (M&M)

Saoirse... sleeping in her costume!!

More Christening....

2009-10-29T09:14:00.001-07:00

The Family

SAOIRSE

RUBY

JUDE

Christening

2009-10-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

Well, when I have the chance, I POST!!! Here are photos from the christening of the babies, August 1st, 2009. We had an AMAZING party and boy what a turn out!!! We had my husbands family/friends fly to Houston from Belfast Ireland (total of 8) and my family and friends came down from NYC, Cape Cod, and Colorado!! Here are some photos of the babies on their day!

Gunner

Babies

My mom & all of her grandchildren (my dad was golfing! :))

Irish Grandparents and their grandchildren (minus Grace who was still in Ireland)

All the grandparents and babies

Grandparents holding Ruby & Gunner

Godparents: Mike & Kathy Eaton with RUBY

Levi Rollins, Eric Munoz, and Sinead Mulholland with SAOIRSE

Dan & Jess Kunkel with JUDE

Frank & Donna Kunkel with GUNNER

Babies Birth Announcement

2009-10-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the picture and the proof... Just wanted to post these!

Sophia & Sadie's Rooms

2009-10-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

Also wanted to post pics of Sophia and Sadie's BIG GIRL room.... They LOVE it.

Bedrooms

2009-10-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd post some pictures of the kids bedrooms (as a lot of people have asked me how the sleeping arrangements are working!)

Pictures of the Family

2009-09-29T12:23:00.001-07:00

JUDE PETER

SAOIRSE KATE

GUNNER PAULSON

RUBY AILISH

SADIE ANASTASIA

SOPHIA ROSE

1st Day as a Blogger....;0

2009-09-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

Well, here is my first attempt at blogging. I have been following SO many blogs, I feel confident I can participate as well in one as well!

My husband and I moved from NYC to Houston (Clear Lake) 4 years ago. We have six children, including our set of quadruplets we added in March 09!!

Sophia Rose- 7 years old

Sadie Anastasia- 6 years old

Ruby Ailish- 6 months

Gunner Paulson- 6 months

Saoirse Kate- 6 months

Jude Peter- 6 months

My husband and I both work full time- How you may ask? I have an AMAZING mother & father who live 3 streets away from us. My mom comes to my house at 6 am every morning, seven days a week to help me. I also have a great nanny that is there with my mom during the hours I am at work. Unbelievable. For this I am truly blessed.