Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer

Keisha Hird and her husband Reginald with their quadruplets (from left) Ruthann-Belle, Isabelle, Gabrielle and Annabelle. - Contributed

January 24, 2008, was when it all began for Reginald and Keisha Hird of Portmore, St Catherine. Four baby girls, Ruthann-Belle, Isabelle, Gabrielle and Annabelle, came bouncing into their lives.

Although mom Keisha rates the Hird quadruplets as well-behaved tots, the task is often tiresome.

Keisha said Annabelle, the smallest of the four, displays a pleasant personality as she is often quick to smile back when persons smile at her. However, she is the bully of the pack who sometimes beats up her sisters.

"As early as two months, we put Annabelle and Gabrielle in the playpen together and Annabelle was seen beating Gabrielle," said Keisha.

Though their personalities differ, they all follow the same routine daily. Orange juice, which kick-starts their morning, is followed by bath and then porridge. By 10 a.m., they all fall asleep, listening to nursery rhymes on CD. They sleep for three to four hours.

Starting today, we follow the steps of the Hird quadruplets, through the family diary.

Monday, June 9:

Today is an average day. But they are a little fussy because they are hot. At 2:30 p.m., they are given their formula and placed on the verandah to enjoy the fresh, cool breeze. Ruthann-Belle, Isabelle and Annabelle fall asleep, leaving Gabrielle to keep Mom's company - smiling, kicking and talking to her in baby language.

Tuesday, June 10:

Instead of eating their porridge from bottles, they now sip it from a spoon. Ruthann is crying. She only has a half of it from the spoon. Mom gives in. Ruthann gets the rest of the porridge from the bottle.

Wednesday, June 11:

They are back to being fed from a spoon. Ruthann is awakened early to have hers, to prevent her from crying. However, Gabrielle cries throughout feeding. When she finishes, she wakes all the other babies.

Thursday, June 12:

Today, Mom reads for Gabrielle for the first time and shows her pictures. Her sisters are still asleep. Gabrielle's eyes are focused on the pictures. She smiles. It is now noon and time for Gabrielle to rest. Her sisters are up. Mom sings and dances for the children. They are smiling and making movements as if to get up.

Friday, June 13:

Among the activities the babies enjoy is their bath. Today, this is coupled with the washing of their hair. They are splashing the water on the floor. They are all enjoying this. Well, not really. Gabrielle is a little fussy about getting her hair washed. She is over it now. she is back to splashing the water as she gets her bath.

Follow their journey next week.

POSITIVE Parenting