Although Sarah Toth graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Agricultural Journalism, she has spent the last nine years working in special events and public relations. She worked in Washington, DC for five years before moving back to Texas in 2004. Sarah is a volunteer at the SPCA of Texas and has a passion for photography. Sarah and her husband Mark moved to Murphy in April 2007 and could not be happier with their decision.
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Murphy Quads & Parents Doing Well but Still Facing Challenges
Murphy residents Rob and Casey Gerwer are counting their blessings – which happens to total four. On January 16, 2008, Casey gave birth to quadruplets – Trey, Reid, Cameron and Brady.?
Born eleven weeks early and weighing around two pounds each, the quads have come a long way from their days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.
After arriving home in March, the babies and their parents adapted to their new schedule very quickly. Casey said the most difficult thing for her has been finding time to spend alone with her husband. “I also have had a really hard time leaving my kids with other people,” she said. Rob said his biggest challenge has been adjusting to the financial aspect of raising four babies. The quads go through approximately 220 diapers and 28 bottles of formula every week.
The last few months have been full of milestones for the quads. After months of sleep deprivation, Rob and Casey are finally getting a full night’s sleep. “We still get up to check on them,” Casey said, “but not having to get up for an hour and half twice a night has really improved our sleep schedule. We can actually get six to seven straight hours of sleep now!”
Other milestones include holding up their head during “tummy time”, grabbing their toys, babbling and smiling. “My favorite part of every morning is when they smile up at me from their cribs,” Rob said. “And I can’t wait to watch them all play together.”
Casey said that developmentally and physically the quads are doing really well. Developmentally they are a little bit ahead of their adjusted age, which is four months,” she said. “Their adjusted age is how old they would be had they gone full term.”
Additional milestones to come in the next couple months should include laughing, sitting up and playing with each other. Casey added that it is common for multiples to develop their own language in the early years that only they can understand. “I’m really looking forward to seeing them crawl,” Casey said, “although I’ll probably regret saying that later.” She added that although the quads are small for six-month-olds, they should be caught up to other full term babies by the time they are twelve months old.
Unfortunately the quads still have some challenges ahead. They will receive cranial bands on July 24, which will help reshape their heads. Premature babies often need these due to the fact that their skulls are still not developed when they are born. The bands will be worn for six to eight weeks and cost $3600 each.
The Gerwers feel it is important that the quads get to experience the things that any singleton would.? “It’s important to take them out so they know how to act in public and so we know how to deal with them in public,” Casey said. “We have taken the quads out to eat, to a neighborhood party, walked in a Fourth of July parade, gone shopping and have even taken them swimming.” The quads were also baptized on May 18 at a private ceremony at their grandparent’s home in Murphy.
Although the Gerwers do not know what the future holds for them and their four little miracles, they are taking things one day at a time and hoping for the best.
Collin is a 4-year-old little boy who lives with his parents in Murphy.? He was delighted when his grandmother gave him a peach-faced lovebird last summer as a pet.
His grandmother says it was love at first sight for boy and bird, who Collin quickly named Pickle.? They were permanently joined at the hip and wherever Collin went so did Pickle.? Collin would even take Pickle to the supermarket in his traveling cage.?
About two weeks ago, Pickle escaped from his cage while outdoors.? Collin’s father tried desperately to coax him back home, following him around the neighborhood from rooftop to rooftop, until Pickle flew out of his sight.
Lovebirds are very friendly and quick to bond with humans, which is why Collin and his family believe the bird might have found a new home with another family.? Lovebirds also need an easily accessible food source to maintain their? energy requirements, so it is important Pickle be found soon.
Collin is desperate to be reunited with his beloved bird and would appreciate help from his Murphy community.
If you have seen Pickle or know anything about his whereabouts, please contact Collin's mom, Holly, at 214 533 6465 or email the Messenger at Marcia@murphymessenger.com.? ?
Wylie’s city leaders and dedicated residents attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Woodbridge Crossing retail center Wednesday, April 30.
The 575,000 square foot Target-anchored center will dominate the landscape of FM544 just east of McCreary Road.?
The more than 300 people in attendance seemed to agree that this is a very welcome addition to the City of Wylie.
Texas State Representative Jodie Laubenberg said she excited about this economic growth opportunity.
?“Wylie has become the center point of shopping far beyond Wylie’s city limits,” Laubenberg said. “While the rest of the country is suffering economic decline, Collin County is still moving ahead.”
?Don Bouvier, Senior Vice President of Development at Direct Development, said the company is proud to have partnered with the City of Wylie and its leadership.
?“We still have a lot to give to this community,” Bouvier said.
Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman attended the event to represent Direct Development and show support for the new retail center.
?“I’ve been a part of some pretty great teams,” Aikman said, “and the common thread is having people who are unselfish and have a common objective.”
?Aikman said the City of Wylie has a special place in his heart because his wife was born there.
?“She didn’t stay very long,” Aikman joked, “but had there been a SuperTarget she probably would have stayed a lot longer.”
?John Mondy, Mayor of Wylie, said he is excited because this new retail complex will bring 1000 new jobs and over $600,000 in sales tax revenue to the City of Wylie.
“This will have a huge impact on all of us,” he said.
?Mondy also thanked the cities of Sachse and Murphy for their collaboration and cooperation during the development process.
?Construction on Woodbridge Crossing retail center will begin in the very near future and will be completed in summer 2009.
Murphy for Obama ’08 volunteers put their hunger aside Tuesday night as they waited for the results of the caucus. Their watch party at Amado’s Mexican Cantina was delayed as they stayed to show their support at the Murphy Fire Station.
The group was organized in the last month when Kim Tolbert and Veronica Lacy realized they wanted to galvanize as many people as possible in their Murphy community. (Pictured are Kim Tolbert, Angela Card & Veronica Lacy)
“Even a community as small as Murphy has a lot of political leadership and we wanted to focus on that,” Tolbert said.
“We want to put Murphy on the map,” Lacy added. “This is history in the making and we have broken all barriers of religion and color.”
Tolbert said the Murphy for Obama ’08 volunteers have been working diligently doing phone banking, canvassing neighborhoods and hosting local events like Tuesday evening’s watch party.
Lacy said they are working on putting together a website.
“It’s definitely not too late to get involved,” she emphasized. If you would like to get involved with Murphy for Obama ’08, you may contact Kim Tolbert at bizor3@verizon.com or Veronica Lacy at lacy4@tx.rr.com
Obama supporters all smiles as they wait to vote - again.
Clinton supporters have even more to smile about today!
Murphy residents Rob and Casey Gerwer are counting their blessings – which happens to total four. On January 16, 2008, Casey gave birth to quadruplets – Trey, Reid, Cameron and Brady.? 
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Collin is a 4-year-old little boy who lives with his parents in Murphy.? He was delighted when his grandmother gave him a peach-faced lovebird last 
Wylie’s city leaders and dedicated residents attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Woodbridge Crossing retail center Wednesday, April 30.
Direct Development and show support for the new retail center.
The group was organized in the last month when Kim Tolbert and Veronica Lacy realized they wanted to galvanize as many people as possible in their Murphy community. (Pictured are Kim Tolbert, Angela Card & Veronica Lacy)
