The quadruplets -- three boys and one girl -- though eight weeks premature, were healthy. Ranging from 2 pounds, 11 ounces to 3 pounds, 7 ounces, the babies remained in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit until they were able to put on a little more weight and drink from a bottle.

Barrett and Tychus were sent home after two weeks, Julianna at three weeks and Luca at 3 ½ weeks. Because they had been in the NICU, they were automatically eligible for in-home early development services through the Early Development Network.

The Early Development Network (EDN) evaluates children from birth to three years old and offers early intervention services for children with developmental and healthcare needs. The EDN connects families to services through their local school district; these services are available throughout all of Nebraska. The free program aims to prepare children for long-term success because research shows that the first three years are the most important for a child's learning and development.

For the quadtruplets' parents, Maria and Joseph Sawaged, the once-a-week home visits by the Elkhorn EDN team provided an incredible opportunity to ask questions, get parenting tips and just confide in someone about their wildly hectic new life.

"We really didn't have much of a support network. I mean, other than a few hours a week of help from a relative, we were pretty much on our own," Maria Sawaged said. "So it was nice to have some outside help in terms of making sure the babies were developing as they should. As full-time working parents, she and her husband took opposite shifts so one parent was always home with the quads. They continue to do so today.

"It was wild but, you know, it's all we knew. They were our first babies, so we didn't know life could be anything but wild," she said, laughing.

Once the children hit 3, they transitioned to Elkhorn Public Schools center-based services, which include three hours of on-site preschool, four days a week. They recently started kindergarten.

"The experience has been incredible for both us as parents and for the kids," she said. "They have become their own selves. They have learned to play with other kids, not just among themselves. They enjoy their own friends and are showing a lot of growth."

Leaving those few hours a week for preschool was a big change for the kids initially, Sawaged said. To work on social interaction, the quads were divided into two classes the first year. This past year, the sibling pairings were switched.

"This has helped them branch out and learn to play with others and to even nurture different bonds within the four of them," she said. "They absolutely love school. When we drop them off, they actually run toward their classes. It's been amazing for their development and the teachers are super helpful. They are so prepared for their next adventure -- going to kindergarten."

If you have questions or concerns about your child's development, such as speech, motor skills, hearing or vision, and would like to make a referral, please visit omahaedn.esu3.org or call 402-597-4936 (toll-free 888-806-6287).

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