By Jeremy A. Corley
Managing Editor
It's been a long, fulfilling year for Heather and Bret Cox of Anna, whose quadruplets celebrated their first birthday Feb. 16.
"We consider ourselves blessed beyond words, that's for sure," Heather said.
The infants have developed well during the year, with not a single sick visit to the pediatrician.
The personalities that started to show in the NICU last year have continued to shine at home, Heather said.
"Brody is a big sweetheart, and he's sensitive," she said. "He can wrap people around his finger like no other."
Oldest daughter Baxlyn is "very dramatic, the boss" and a "smart little thing."
Kyle is another "big sweetheart, very calm," Heather said. "She's my breath of fresh air."
Baby of the group Korbin is "very much like his daddy -- very details, studies how things are put together."
She said he also is sneaky, noting a ceramic item he broke earlier in the day.
The children's health is remarkable considering the difficulties some of them had at birth.
Kylee had a Level 4 brain bleed on the right side of her brain that still causes her some physical difficulty with the left side of her body. She has been diagnosed with minor cerebral palsy, but her cognitive abilities are "right where they should be."
Korbin had the most difficulty early on, with a Level 3 brain bleed on one side and a Level 4 bleed on the other. He has been a little slow to sit up, but otherwise the difference is impossible to tell.
"The doctors now are completely in awe at where he is," Heather said. "They've come so far."
Heather, who grew up in Anna, and Bret, who was raised in Melissa, have been very protective of the kids during the first year, but they are looking forward to new adventures once the weather warms up.
"In May, we're hoping to try some play dates," Heather said, adding that she'd like the children to go to church and local parks as well. "Just trying to live a normal life."
For the past year, Bret has attended church on Sunday mornings and Heather has attended Bible study on Sunday evenings.
During a regular day, everyone wakes up at about 8 a.m., then eats breakfast and has playtime. The babies nap from about 10 to 11:30, then get up and eat lunch at noon.
A second nap happens from about 1:30 to 3, with a snack at about 4. Bret usually gets home at about 5:30, just in time to help with baths, final bottles and bed time at 6:30.
Bret washed dishes and bottles, while Heather does a load of laundry every day.
All four of the babies have regular physical and occupational therapy as well.
Many nights, the couple is in bed by 8:30 or 9.
They have a date night at least every other week.
Heather estimated that the four infants drank almost 200 gallons of milk and used almost 7,000 diapers during their first year.
The blog started by the couple, www.coxquads.blogspot.com, has become something of a phenomenon with a steady stream of followers.
"We started that just to keep family and friends updated," Heather said. "Now I get emails asking me about scheduling, and if I go longer than three or four days without updating it, I get emails asking me if the babies are OK. It's definitely become a big, big thing.
"It's kind of like a baby book."
Despite the constant work, the Coxes are delighted with the situation at their house, which Heather said has been completely taken over by the quadruplets.
"It's been a challenge," she said. "It's a daily challenge, but a good challenge."