The Hird girls were picture-perfect at home last Friday. From left are Annabelle, Ruthann-Belle, Isabelle and Gabrielle. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

It's week two of following the Hird quadruplets through the family diary.

Monday, June 16

It's morning and Dad is playing with his babies. Three of them are smiling and kicking their legs. Not Isabelle though. She is the more 'serious' one.

As he does every morning, Dad makes the formula to feed the babies for the day. Mom is now giving them a bath. At 9:30, it's time for porridge and then sleep. For Ruthann-Belle, it's a little different from the others, who sleep until three o'clock. She wakes early and is taken on the veranda to get some fresh air.

Tuesday, June 17

They stay up for a while after eating their porridge. Ruthann-Belle and Annabelle interact with each other by making sounds. Ruthann-Belle turns her attention to Gabrielle by smiling and playing with her as well.

Grandma Carmen is here, trying to plait Gabrielle's hair, but Gabrielle is trying to smile her way out of it. That isn't working so she tries to hide the side which Grandma wants to plait.

Wednesday, June 18

Dad is feeding Ruthann-Belle orange juice, after which she is put to bed. The other babies are bathed and their hair washed. Gabrielle doesn't like it and is fussing and screaming as usual. At about 9 a.m., Ruthann-Belle gets her bath. Her hair is washed too.

They go to bed but Ruthann-Belle wakes at intervals and fusses. Isabelle is making sounds in her sleep.

Thursday, June 19

To start the morning, Dad plays and talks with Ruthann-Belle, who is the only one up before he goes to work. Then there's the routine - orange juice, formula, bath, sleep.

Ruthann-Belle decides to be a little different today. She sits with the support of cushions and watches as Mom does the ironing. Gabrielle gets her hair combed by Grandma. Gabrielle doesn't make it easy.

Friday, June 20

Ruthann-Belle and Annabelle are the two who are up early and so they get to interact with their father before he leaves for work. Mom feeds the babies, after which they go to sleep.

POSITIVE Parenting