WALTON _ Four new stockings are hung by the chimney with care to let Santa Claus know that the Barnes quadruplets live there.
Jessica and Matthew Barnes of Walton said Monday they have a lot to celebrate this holiday season now that all four of their daughters are home from the hospital and growing by the day.
Jessica Barnes dressed the girls in their Christmas dresses and then popped a brightly colored bow on each of their tiny heads.
"They are my little gifts from God," she said. "My perfect little Christmas miracles.
"They are all doing fantastic," said Barnes, 26, said as she held Mackenzie Rose and then quickly took a head count to check on the other three babies.
"I do head counts all the time," she said, laughing. "I don't know where I think they are going to go, but it makes me feel better."
Adele Pankiewicz, Jessica's mother, added, "They are a joy. We are having so much fun with them."
The girls were born prematurely at 27 weeks on Aug. 8 _ their due date was Nov. 2.
The babies were delivered by Caesarean section at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital, but the delivery was supposed to take place at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse.
Barnes said she was admitted to Crouse on Aug. 4 with contractions, but was sent home Aug. 7 with orders for bed rest. When she began having regular, sharp contractions that night at about 10 p.m., she and her husband, Matthew, 27, headed for Fox.
Maddison Kylie and Mackenzie Rose were born at 2:16 a.m. and 2:17 a.m. Aug. 8, respectively, and were taken to Albany Medical Center. Samantha Leona and Olivia Marie arrived at 2:18 and 2:19 a.m. and were taken to Crouse.
Eventually, all four babies were transferred to Wilson Memorial Regional Medical Center in Johnson City, where they were released one by one. Olivia came home first, with Mackenzie arriving home last on Nov. 8.
At birth, their weights were: Maddison, 2 pounds, 9 ounces; Mackenzie, 2 pounds, 8 ounces; Samantha, 2 pounds, 5 ounces; and Olivia, 2 pounds 3 ounces.
Barnes said Olivia is now the biggest at 12 pounds, 14 ounces, followed by Samantha, 11 pounds 6 ounces; Mackenzie, 10 pounds 6 ounces; and Maddison, 9 pounds 10 ounces.
Although the babies are 41/2 months old, their developmental age is actually 11/2 months.
"They are all A+ in everything except muscle development, which is common in premature babies," Barnes said.
Barnes said the quads are two sets of identical twins. She said she had an ultrasound when she was three weeks into the fertility drug-induced pregnancy and there were only two heartbeats. When she went back a few weeks later for a second ultrasound, there were four.
According to federal statistics, there were 418 quadruplet births in the past year.
Aided by family members
Shortly before Mackenzie came home, the Barnes were notified that they were being evicted from their house because the owners had decided to return to Walton. Fortunately the family was able to rent a double-wide mobile home, which Jessica Barnes said has proven to be a perfect solution because it gives them more room and everything is on one floor.
The Barnes family life is strictly scheduled, with family members coming in at specific times to help.
"You have to be really organized," she said gesturing toward a dry-erase board on the wall above the changing table. The board has spaces to chart each baby's daily feeding times, medications and toilet habits.
Matthew and Jessica take turns staying up from midnight to 7 a.m. to watch the babies through the night. Jessica works at the Delaware County ARC from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day. Pankiewicz comes in daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Matthew's aunt, Serena Tompkins, comes in from 3 to 8 p.m. everyday.
"Somebody has to be here so Matt and Jess have a chance to eat dinner," Tompkins said.
Matthew is currently not working, which enables him to spend so much time with the girls.
"There is always someone up and awake with them," Jessica said. "And taking care of them is basically non-stop. When I get up in the morning I wash, dress and feed them and then they go into their swings. Then they have to have to do their exercises and have their tummy time to strengthen their necks."
The babies go through about 32 bottles and 40 diapers every day.
A Delaware County public health nurse visits once a week, and physical therapist Karena White arrives during the afternoon to go through a series of exercises with the babies. They also have special education sessions.
"The special education is part of the high-risk care for premature infants," White said. "They work on basic skills like eye movement, reaching out for things and feeding."
Tompkins said both parents are wonderful with the babies.
"Daddy does an amazing job with these girls," Tompkins said. "Both Matt and Jess are so even-keeled and relaxed, they make it look easy."
The schedule will be slightly disrupted in two weeks, as Jessica is scheduled to have gall bladder surgery, and is also facing oral surgery to have three teeth removed.
Four babies, four personalities
Pankiewicz, Tompkins, White and Jessica were each bouncing babies Monday afternoon as they talked about the personality traits the girls are developing.
Mackenzie has brown hair and is quiet and determined.
"She is already trying to sit up," Barnes said. "She is the strongest."
Olivia has red hair.
"She is the princess," Pankiewicz said. "She has to be catered to."
Maddison has brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Maddie is the small fry," Barnes said. "She is quiet, patient, happy and smiles a lot."
Tompkins said Samantha, with her red hair, loves to be held.
"She is the cuddler, the love bug," Tompkins said.
Barnes said her friends and family held a baby shower, so she has clothing and most of the baby equipment she needs. She added that she has received gifts from various groups.
"Of course, you never have enough diapers and wipes," Barnes said.
A new rocker/recliner with a big red bow sat in the kitchen Monday, having just arrived from the Hunter's Super Troopers 4-H group in Fleischmanns. Barnes said the group also sent a box of presents.
"Another 4-H group held a 50-50 raffle at the Delaware County Fair," Barnes said. "That raised $7,500, which was fantastic."
A group of Barnes' co-workers gave her a big gift basket, and longtime friend Bobbi Jo Ketchmark placed donation containers at stores in Walton to help the family offset expenses.
"Beverly Soldan, a friend of my Aunt Pat Caffery, made quilts for each of the babies and she has also done a lot of other things," Barnes said. "People have just been wonderful."
Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
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