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Multiples in the News
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2005
Sextuplets born in The Dominican Republic
Posted December 29, 2005
On 12/26/05 a Mom in Santo Domingo gave birth to sextuplets. More details>>
Massage for Multiples
Posted December 15, 2005
Read about the benefits of massage for your multiples. In the article, Maureen Doolan Boyle, MOST's Executive Director, discusses her experience with her children. Read this article.
MOST Family on Sabado Gigante
Posted December 13, 2005
The Torres Triplets of California, who will be 1 on February 14th, will be on the TV show Sabado Gigante. The show will be aring 12/24/05 on Univision.
As couples turn to medicine to conceive, risks, cost - and the number of babies multiply
Posted December 8, 2005
This article discusses infertility treatment and Fertility clinics in Arizona.
MOST members, Stephanie Mast & Jane Crandell, and Dr. John Elliott, a MOST Professional/Medical Advisory Board member are featured. Read this article.
Minnesota soldier reunited with her quads.
Posted December 8, 2005
Mom of quads has been on active duty with the Army reserve in Germany. Read the article.
Four on their First Birthday
Posted November 7, 2005
The Hudspath quadruplets celebrated their first birthday on November 3rd. The Hudspath Family are members of MOST. Read more>>
NJ Family Adopts Orphaned Chinese Triplets
Posted November 2, 2005
David Youtz and his wife Mary Child of Tenafly, NJ adopted identical triplet girls from an orphanage in China. The triplets came to their home in NJ in August 2004. They had adopted their daughter Sophie from the same orphanage 9 yrs. earlier.
This may be the only international triplet adoption the Chinese Government has ever permitted. Read more>>
Teacher Catches Triplet Baby in T-Shirt
Posted October 31, 2005
A high school history teacher took the T-shirt off his back to catch a premature baby as a woman pregnant with triplets gave birth in a subway stairwell.
Lanitta Lewis, 28 weeks pregnant with triplets, was on her way to a doctor's appointment in Berkeley when she went into labor. She called out for help but was largely ignored by commuters in the Bay Area Rapid Transit station until Biko Eisen-Martin took notice. Ana Rosa Torres, an Oakland waitress, also assisted Ms. Lewis after the birth.
Mr. Eisen-Martin called an ambulance, and was just in time to catch a 3 pound girl with his T-shirt. The other two girls were born later via c-section at Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley. All three babies were listed in good condition.
Ms. Lewis reportedly has three other children who are not in her custody and was on her way to the Berkeley Multi Agency Service Center, which serves the homeless and those living in shelters, on Monday when she went into labor.
Donations to help Ms. Lewis can be sent to Lewis's social worker, Edwina Bradley at Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency, 1931 Center St., Berkeley, CA 94704.
MOST Helping Families Affected by Katrina
Posted September 13, 2005
How did MOST respond to Katrina?
* Emailed all families in LA, AL and MS and asked if they could let us know how they are doing hoping that many were fine and still had access to email.
* Asked our Area Coordinators to contact their local hospitals to see if any expectant mothers or newborn multiples were transferred to their facility for care. Our volunteers organized local families that were available to reach out to these families in need.
* Asked all of our members and friends of MOST (via a press release and notice on our website) to let us know if they had heard of any families of multiples or preemies who may have been displaced, lost a family member or in any type of need because of the storm and to please let us know.
* Contacted all of the children's hospitals throughout the US (via an email message to the CHCA, an organization of children's hospitals in the United States) and asked them to please be aware of the support we were offering and the services we provide as well as providing a cost-free way for these families to contact MOST via phone.
* Helped link families that were displaced with other MOST families offering to give them a home for however long they need.
* MOST volunteers called over 350 families in LA, MS and AL and spoke with and left messages whenever possible for families of multiples that we know from these states and offered support of varying degrees as needed. (this is still in the works)
* Contacted national organizations such as NMOTC, Red Cross, FEMA, Oprah's Angels, Preemie Magazine, NICU Network (and many more) either via email, website or telephone calls to identify any families that may be in need and to let them know that MOST was available now and in the future if there is a family in need. We have already started receiving referrals.
* Contacted Habitat for Humanity to let them know that there are MOST members (and friends of MOST) interested in helping to rebuild their communities in these states. We are specifically interested in working on homes for families of multiples and babies born preterm. (We do not plan to move ahead on this program until at least the spring of 2006. If anyone has additional contacts with this organization please let me know).
* MOST is now registered at the National Emergency Resource Registry.
I think as time goes by, MOST is going to receive many calls for help. It will take our families longer to get back on their feet given the intrinsic nature of multiples. We want to try to get ahead of the game and start planning for the future needs of these families. All suggestions are welcome please email us through our website or at Info@MOSTonline.org.
For expectant and new mothers- Basic Preemie Needs that just about all will need:
New infant car seats
Breast pumps (and other lactation needs)
Preemie and Newborn Diapers
Preemie and Newborn Clothes
Dr. Brown and Avent Bottles
Twin, Triplet and Quad strollers
New crib linens: crib sheets, mattress pads, etc.
All of the families listed below are from MS and live not that far from a Super Wal-Mart that is still open for business so Wal-Mart gift cards would be a wonderful donation!
We will pull together a list of all of our families and what state they are from and what city they have been relocated to as the information becomes available so please check out the MOST website regularly for updates or call the MOST office. There is someone in the office generally Monday-Friday (9 AM- 6 PM EST).
Family 1
Expectant first time parents of triplets. The mom is currently (9/9/05) 30 weeks gestation and hospitalized in AL. They lost their home. I am not sure if they were able to save any of the infant items they had already purchased for their babies but this is doubtful.
Family 2
Expectant parents of twin girls (31 wks presently 9/9/05) and have a son who is 4 yrs old. The mom is presently hospitalized in WV I believe.
Family 3
A very young military family with toddler twin boys (about 1.5 yrs) and a 3 yr old daughter presently relocated to MA. They lost their home and are in need of EVERYTHING!
Family 4
A young couple with 16 month old twin girls. Lost EVERYTHING.
Family 5
A family of identical twin girls born just 2 weeks ago and at least one older child (a girl born in 2001) lost their home.
A Special Shelter for Newborns in Baton Rouge
There are several sets of preemies and newborn twins (and their families) living in a special shelter at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. If you have any preemie/newborn items you'd like to send to help out, it would be greatly appreciated. One family in particular we are trying to support is Antoinette Hickerson whose experience during Hurricane Katrina is profiled on this website.
Items can be sent directly to the church. Please be sure to note that you were referred from MOST, so they know how you got the information.
St Patrick Catholic Church
C/O Father Gerry Martin
12424 Brogdon Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70816-4801
Parish Office
225-753-5750 (voice)
225-756-9636 (fax)
email St. Patrick's at
stpatrickbr@bellsouth.net
We have several volunteers in LA that are working on locating close 150 families of multiples that we are aware of in this state.
Check the links on our main page (www.mostonline.org) for more info about families in need who have been affected by the Katrina Hurricane.
Maureen A. Doolan Boyle
Executive Director MOST (Mothers of Supertwins), Inc.
An international support network for families of multiples
Editor SUPERTWINS magazine
Chairman of PreemieCare a division of MOST
PO Box 306, East Islip, NY 11730
631-859-1110, fax 631-859-3580
http://www.MOSTonline.org
Premature Babies Affected by Katrina's Wrath
Posted September 13, 2005
More than two dozen evacuated from New Orleans hospitals.
Montreal Quintuplets Father Pleads Guilty
Posted August 30, 2005
Naji Antoine Abi Khalil, a Lebanese-born Canadian, admitted he had accepted a payoff in exchange for agreeing to falsify shipping records and send night-vision goggles and infrared aiming devices for M-16 rifles to Hezbollah agents in Athens.
He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years for attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and two related offences.
He is also facing up to 20 years for a separate money-laundering conviction in July.
After his wife, Lina, gave birth to five babies at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal in April, 1992, Khalil became a fixture in the Canadian press, featured in stories with headlines such as ''Quints Are Well But Dad Dazed'' and ''Quints' Mom Wants To Sleep.''
Miller Quintuplets turned 7
Posted August 30, 2005
On July 7th, Grace, Emory, Ellie, Maggie and Martin turned 7. The Miller quintuplets celebrate their birthdays in a unique way. Because the Miller quintuplets all share the same birthday, each has a chosen day on the seventh of a chosen month to celebrate as his or her special day. They receive gifts, and choose their favorite foods for the day. "They don't have huge expectations," said their mother, who adds that toys and gifts aren't very important in their lives.
"We don't want our children to feel special because they were born at the same time. We try to be under the radar as much as possible," Miller said.
Nancy Miller, a speech therapist, homeschools all her children. She finds teaching the children a joy and perhaps less chaotic than it would be if she were getting six children off to school each morning, meeting with a posse of different teachers and keeping up with multiple projects and homework assignments.
You can read an article about the Miller quintuplets in the Knoxville News Sentinel archives (subscription required).
Smallest Morales Quintuplet in Fair Condition
Posted August 30, 2005
Three-month-old Javier Morales was born with a heart defect and had already undergone one heart procedure when he was returned to the hospital for a second one on Friday.
Javier is the smallest quintuplet, who were born on April 26th to Luisa Gonzalez and Enrique Moreno via a surrogate mother. The surgery went well, and he is listed in fair condition. He is expected to be released in approximately one week. Read more about Javier.
MOST Family On Discovery
Posted July 28, 2005
The Denny quintuplets will be shown on the Discovery Health Channel!
THE DENNY FAMILY
Parents Steven & Lyndsey and their children, Briana (7) Taylor (4),
Alexis, Joshua, Anthony, Julian, Jiliana (10/03)
Multiples Special - Quints: The First Year.
Born nine weeks early, the Denny quintuplets are finally ready to go home from the hospital and settle into the new family routine as parents adjust to juggling five newborns. Follow the medical progress made by these miracle babies.
Show airs:
Jul 30 2005 @ 01:00 PM
Aug 04 2005 @ 10:00 PM
Aug 05 2005 @ 01:00 AM
3RD ANNUAL MULTIPLES FAMILY DAY
Posted July 13, 2005
Hello Members of MOST,
This is Lisa & Debbie Ganz from Twinsworld & Twins Talent.com. We wanted to invite all of you, your family & friends to THE 3RD ANNUAL MULTIPLES FAMILY DAY AT CONEY ISLAND'S ASTROLAND AMUSEMENT PARK IN NEW YORK on SUNDAY JULY 24, 2005. IT IS FREE FOR ALL TO COME. It is a fun family day for everyone. Last year we had almost 1000 families that attended. It is a great way to spend the day with your families and meet other families of multiples...hey, maybe make it a group trip:>) There is also a FUN GREAT MULTIPLES TALENT SHOW for all of the multiples on the board walk, lots of media, etc -multiples of all ages can enter-1 years old & up!!! I have included the information here. We ask that people RSVP so we can keep a rough headcount !! Twincerely Lisa and Debbie Ganz
Please feel free to call us with any questions you have
917-678-9996
TO RSVP or for any questions Email: Twinsworld1@aol.com Put "Astroland" in subject title, Include your name, number of ppl and contact info
TO RESERVE DISCOUNTED RIDE BRACELETS Email Lois at : lscastroland@aol.com or callTel: 718-265-2100
TO SIGN UP FOR THE TALENT SHOW Email Jen: coneyislandjen@aol.com
You can also see additional information on the event at Twins World
Click on Coney Island's Astroland 2005 on the right hand side of the page.
We have included the information below:
PAY ONE PRICE(POP) WRISTBANDS
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT NEED TO PURCHASE & RESERVE THE discounted PAY ONE PRICE(POP) WRISTBANDS FOR ALL OF THE RIDES , please call Lois immediately at
Tel: 718-265-2100 and/or email: lscastroland@aol.com
$6.00 PER PERSON if you purchase or reserve in advance
(THIS PRICE APPLIES FOR ALL ADULTS & CHILDREN)
If you , any of your children or any of your family members will be enjoying the day but not be riding the rides, IT IS FREE ADMISSION TO PARK & BOARDWALK
TWINS & MULTIPLES TALENT SHOW
There will be a fun twins and multiples talent show on the boardwalk for all of the beachgoers and guests to watch
ALL AGES WELCOME/CASH PRIZES
Please email coneyislandjen@aol.com to sign up FOR THE TALENT CONTEST ONLY ..SEND HER YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING , NAMES & AGES OF PERFORMERS..
============================================================
HERE IS THE GENERAL INFORMATION BELOW
CONEY ISLAND'S ASTROLAND AMUSEMENT PARK THIRD ANNUAL TWINS & MULTIPLES FAMILY DAY
OPEN TO ALL FAMILIES ...BRING YOUR FRIENDS..SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR FAMILY GROUPS..
PLEASE RSVP IMMEDIATELY:TWINSWORLD1@AOL.COM
WHEN:SUNDAYJULY 24th Time:12:00-4:00pm
Special ride discounts....It is a great excuse to have a great family day and visit the landmark...CONEY ISLAND
ALL FAMILIES OF TWINS & MULTIPLES, PLEASE RSVP to Twinsworld1@aol.com , Please put "Astroland" in Subject Title
Include your names, contact info & number of family members
FREE ENTRANCE ADMISSION TO PARK & BOARDWALK
ENJOY ALL OF THE RIDES FOR ONE PRICE
PAY ONE PRICE(POP) WRISTBANDS FOR ALL OF THE RIDES :
$6.00 PER PERSON if you purchase or reserve in advance
(ALL ADULTS & CHILDREN)
To order POP bands at a discount price, please call Lois at Tel: 718-265-2100 or email: lscastroland@aol.com
If you email lois, also cc Twinsworld1@aol.com
$8.99 per person if you purchase the bands the day of the event
ALL AGES WELCOME-There will be food discounts-to be announced ( You are welcome to bring your own food-picnic tables available)
TWINS AND MULTIPLES TALENT SHOW-CASH PRIZES-LOTS OF PRESS & MEDIA TO SEE YOUR TALENTS...
ALL AGES ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE(YOUNG ONES TOO)
JUST CONTACT US AND LET US KNOW YOUR TALENT
CASH PRIZES
Please email coneyislandjen@aol.com to sign up FOR THE TALENT CONTEST ONLY
Twins & Multiples Talent Contest 4pm
1 year- 11 years old
1st prize: $100, Astroland POP passes and carnival prizes
2nd prize: $75, Astroland POP passes and carnival prizes
3rd prize: $50, Astroland POP passes and carnival prizes
12 years old and up
1st prize: $200 & Astroland POP passes
2nd prize: $100 & Astroland POP passes
3rd prize: $50 & Astroland POP passes
All contestants will be provided with microphones and will have access to a cd player. All instruments must be played acoustic. Please register by July 20th to secure a spot in the show.
9% of Students are Multiples
Posted June 26, 2005
At Wheatland Elementary School, multiple-birth children are a common sight. The school has 27 multiples that are students at the school, which equals 9% of the school's total enrollment. There are six sets of twins, two sets of triplets, and one set each of quadruplets and quintuplets. 15 of these children will be going on to middle school.
At least two of the families, the Jacobson quadruplets and the Collins quintuplets, are members of MOST.
Principle Terri Russel said having all these multiples at the school makes it a little more unique and special. She said if there is one thing her staff has learned from the students is that just because they are related doesn't mean they act the same.
Russell says "Despite being from the same family, they are all individuals and all have their own personalities."
Article 1
Article 2
Smallest Moreno Quintuplet in Critical Condition
Posted June 20, 2005
One of the Moreno quintuplets, delivered in April in Phoenix, AZ by surrogate mother Teresa Anderson, was in critical condition on May 3rd, according to an article in the Arizona Republic.
As of May 30th, all four of the other children are at home with Luisa Gonzalez and Enrique Moreno; Little Javier is still in at Phoenix Children's Hospital, recovering from heart surgery and battling a life-threatening infection.
Jorge, Gabriel, Victor, and Enrique are adjusting to being at home.
The family so far has had a lot of help and donations, including diapers and groceries from Bashas' stores, formula from Enfamil, carseats donated from firefighters, and $27,000 in goods and services from All About Baby Nurses (a Scottsdale-based nanny service). It is said that the surrogate, Teresa Anderson, refused payment for the surrogacy when she discovered that the family was expecting quintuplets.
But the family still needed items such as strollers, highchairs, cribs, laundry detergent, blankets and purified water. Read more about this unique family>>
One of Brewer Quintuplets Dies
Posted June 20, 2005
On May 18th, 2005, Carson Matthew Brewer died in his parents' arms at Brenner Children's Hospital. Carson, the son of Marcus and Cherie Brewer, developed necrotizing enterocolitis a few weeks after he was born, which required many surgeries. In early April he developed pulmonary hypertension. His brothers, Sean and Ben, and sisters, Morgan and Madelyn, were the first set of quintuplets born at Forsyth Medical Center. They were born on November 3, 2004.
Marcus Brewer says that he believes his son sacrificed his life for the health of his siblings. None of the other quints has encountered any significant medical problems.
"We truly believe that he was here for a specific purpose and that he took on the illnesses for his brothers and sisters," Brewer said.
"He taught a lot of people, including us, how to pray. He made us better parents."
The Brewer family is a member of MOST.. MOST would like to express our sympathy and sorrow at the loss of little Carson. Read more about this very sad news,
Driscoll Quadruplets Have Their First Communion
Posted June 19, 2005
Seven-year-old quadruplets, Ryan, Emma, Cullen and Killian Driscoll made their First Communion at St. John's Church on April 24, 2005.
Eight years ago in July, Mary Driscoll gave birth to quadruplets after years of trying for a family. The couple felt blessed. On this special day of the quadruplets' first communion, the parents still felt blessed, if a bit frazzled. "Life is never dull," says Mary Driscoll.
The Mass was long but the children were good. Killian took off his tie, but Emma wore her veil. They sang the songs. They walked in single file to receive First Communion. They said amen.
At the end, Cullen, Killian, Riley and Emma gathered on the altar to pose for photos with the priests. It was a historic event - the first quadruplets to receive First Communion at St. John the Baptist Church.
As Mary and Dave got their flock back into their van, sister Julie Kane summed up the scene. "Mary's a saint," she said.
The Driscoll family is a member of MOST. Mary is also president of Triplets, Moms and More, a New England support group.
Kirsten Niebler Successfully Battles Cancer
Posted May 30, 2005
Kirsten Niebler, a 9-year-old triplet in Canada, found out on April 12th that she is finally free of cancer. Kirsten is now doing very well - gaining physical strength, eating, and starting to do many things she did before she got sick, including going back to school.
An otherwise healthy Kirsten began feeling sick in October 2004, something her mom thought was flu at first until her daughter wasn't getting better.
Ms. Niebler took her to the hospital to get checked over. Doctors discovered a huge tumour in Kirsten. The germ cell tumour - it measured about 22.5 centimetres by 10 centimetres - was similar to ovarian cancer.
Doctors took out the tumour, two enlarged lymph nodes, one ovary and one fallopian tube during a six-hour operation on November 18th.
Kirsten's mom, Jeanette, has kept extremely busy caring for Kirsten and their numerous trips to the hospital for chemotherapy, tests, check-ups and such, and also caring for Kirsten's other triplet siblings who have special needs. Sister Rachel and brother Dylan are both autistic.
Dylan's autism is severe. As heartbreaking as it is for Ms. Niebler, her son had to be moved into a group home in Waterloo because he was aggressive and violent to his sisters and mother, something that got worse around the time of Kirsten's illness. Ms. Niebler and her daughters spend as much time as she can with Dylan.
Rachel needs special education programming at school and help at home.
In addition to tending to the triplets' needs, Jeanette Niebler is a single mom. In the rush of emotions she's been through, Ms. Niebler said she was "blown away" by the kindness, generosity and support from her daughters' school, social agencies, the community and complete strangers. "People have been incredible," she said.
The Niebler family is a member of MOST.
To find out more about this unique family and Kirsten's progress, visit their Caringbridge website.
Minnesota Legislation Working On Twins School Bill
Posted May 28, 2005
Senator Dennis Frederickson, a dad of grown twins, has introduced a bill that may give Minnesota parents more say about classroom placement of twins, triplets and other multiples. The proposed legislation would require schools to allow multiples to be in the same class upon parental request.
Senator Frederickson was asked to create the bill by his assistant, Wendy Haavisto, who tried to get her 6-year-old twins assigned to the same class but the school refused.
Wendy says "It was a nightmare, Nicholas was crying at school because he missed his sister. By the time they got home, Victoria was crying." Eventually, the twins adapted, and the school promised to put them together next year.
The Minnesota bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel, who has identical twin brothers and identical twin sons, and Sen. Ellen Anderson, DFL-St. Paul, who has a fraternal twin sister. In the House, Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, whose wife is a twin, authored a companion bill.
Frederickson says twins have a very unique, special bond between them. Plus there can be very practical reasons for keeping twins in the same class.
This Day In History
Posted May 28, 2005
In 1934, the Dionne quintuplets -- Annette, Cecile, Emilie, Marie and Yvonne -- were born to Elzire Dionne at the family farm in Ontario, Canada.
Kivisto Family Doing Well At 2 Years Old
Posted May 27, 2005
Mat and Nicole Kivisto welcomed their triplets into the world in November 2002. Cade, Lucas and Jayden were born 10 weeks premature, and weighed less than two pounds each. At almost two and a half years old, the Kivisto triplets are healthy and very energetic.
Mat Kivisto says "It's just like playing basketball and guarding the person with the ball, you have to keep them (triplets) in front of you at all times." The triplets definitely have their own personalities. Lucas gets into everything, Cade is the smallest, but fearless. Jayden is the teddy bear of the family. But lets not forget older sister, Jenna, 5, who a great negotiator and knows how to work all the angles.
Last year the family had to deal with pneumonia and RSV -- a respiratory infection in children, which can be nothing more than a slight flu for healthy children. But for premature babies, RSV can be fatal. "When they are sick we have to stay up all night, but we used to do that every night for months. Now we wonder how we did that," Nicole Kivisto said. "People ask us how we do it, but that's just what our life is, we don't think much about it."
Though the family doesn't go many places, they will spend a lot of time outside this summer hoping to burn off some of the triplets' excessive energy.
An article about the Kivisto family can be found in the April archives of the Bismarck Tribune.
Triplets Named After Pope
Posted April 30, 2005
The parents of newborn Polish triplets - all boys - have named their sons Jan, Pawel and Karol, in homage to Pope John Paul II, the babies' father said on Thursday."At this very special time, we wanted to pay homage to the pope, and we thought our sons would be happy to have these first names," Janusz Adamiec said via telephone from the town of Bytom, in southern Poland.
The triplets were born Wednesday April 6th, between 11.14am and 11.16am in the clinic in Bytom, just a few days after Pope John Paul II died. Read this article,
Quadruplets, Natural and Normal
Posted April 30, 2005
The Sameera Begum-Siraj family in India welcomed the first quadruplets born at Niloufer Hospital into their family. The two identical boys and two identical girls were declared fine after having spent three days in intensive care for respiratory problems. These quadruplets are unique in that they were born full term and were ready to leave the hospital less than a week old. They were also concieved naturally. They weighed between 1.7 kg and 2 kg at birth.
The father, Siraj, who is a spray paint worker and his 25-year-old wife, Sameera, were worried about the expenses of handling the foursome, but were relieved to find that the hospital waived their bill. Read more about this family.
Triplets' Names Reflect Parents' Love of Baseball
Posted April 20, 2005
Craig and Tiffany Rowland gave birth to triplets on March 26, 2004. They decided to give the children names that reflected their love of baseball,naming their triplets Fenway, Camden and Brooklyn.
Brooklyn, the only girl in the trio, and her brothers have a big sister, 4-year-old Jazzlyn. "Brooklyn's name covered both bases. It's similar to Jazz's name and she's also named after the Dodgers," Tiffany Rowland said.
Camden is a nod to Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md.
Fenway has two first names, the second being Huntington. The Rowlands call their little guy "Hunter." Both Fenway and Huntington reflect the location of current and past ballparks of the Boston Red Sox.
For their first birthday, a party was held in the Third Base Terrace Club on the Seattle ballpark's second level.
Otten Sextuplets Celebrate 1st Birthday
Posted April 14, 2005
Jacob, Isabella, Madison, Joshua, Riley and Tyler celebrated their birthday at their birthplace, St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Missouri. Despite being born 10 weeks early last April, all the siblings are healthy.
The parents, Ron and Tina Otten, say they've had their hands full in the past year. The sextuplets also have two older sisters, and the family lives in Granite City, Illinois. Read this article.
Famous Triplet Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Dies
Posted January 27, 2005
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross died August 24th at age 78. She was famous for changing the way many others in the medical profession care for the dying. Elisabeth was born in Switzerland, and weighed less than a kilogram at birth.
She published a famous book in 1969 called "On Death And Dying", and was well known for her teachings about death and grieving. Learn more about Kubler-Ross.
Premature Triplets Tap Family's Resources
Posted January 27, 2005
Christina and Jason Huckins are struggling financially after tending to their premature triplets born 4 months early. The babies have been in the hospital for five months, and the Huckins say they are determined to be there for their boys. One of the triplets has been released, but the other two may be in until February.
But being with their sons has thrown the couple deeply into debt. They have spent at least $15,000 on hotel rooms, their income has been cut in half, and they're looking into filing for bankruptcy. Read more about the Huckins' family.
Horton Quintuplet Dad Returns From Iraq
Posted January 27, 2005
Taunacy Horton gave birth to two boys and three girls on October 11th, just days after hearing that her husband was injured while serving in Iraq.
Sgt. Joshua Horton found out about the birth of his third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh children days later, while recovering from shrapnel wounds in his leg in a naval hospital in Maryland. He'd received the wounds just four days before the birth. He arrived home just in time to attend the funeral of one of the quintuplets, Addyson, who died a couple weeks after birth due to an infection.
The couple also has a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. Read more about the Hortons.
Russian Woman Gives Birth To Sextuplets
Posted January 27, 2005
Mechriban Tagijeva, 29, gave birth to three boys and three girls at a Moscow hospital. Doctors had told the woman of Azerbaijan origin that she would have quadruplets, but found six babies when they performed the Caesarian section.
The youngest, weighing less than 2lbs, died shortly after birth, but the others appear to be healthy and fine. Read more>>
Walton Sextuplets Turn 21 Years Old
Posted January 27, 2005
Hannah, Luci, Ruth, Sarah, Kate and Jennie - the world's only all-female sextuplets - celebrated their 21st birthday recently.
All six girls still live at home. Sarah rented a flat for a few months earlier in the year, but was soon back, complaining that "it was too quiet."
Luci and Ruth recently worked as children's tour reps in Mallorca. Luci, though she dreams of being a model, is excited about joining Virgin Airlines as an airhostess. Sarah works for an insurance firm in Liverpool. Ruth is a trained nursery nurse and now works in a pub in Wallasey. Kate is taking courses in media studies and working for Merseyside police. Jennie is between jobs after having a bad fall, but would love to be a presenter or singer or might join the police force. Hannah is in her final year of a business and communications degree at Liverpool University.
Raised by very loving parents who managed to balance the public interest and their need for family privacy at the same time, the Walton girls have grown up into caring, well-adjusted, poised young women who adore their mum and dad and each other. Read a wonderful article about the Walton family.
"Stroller Strides" Offer Workout for Moms with Babies
Posted January 27, 2005
Many multiple-birth families find that taking a stroll with their babies in a stroller provides great exercise for them and a change of pace and scenery for the babies. Some moms, like Julia DeCredico - mother of 23-month-old triplets Claudia, Joseph, and Davis - find incentive for those walks with Stroller Strides. Stroller Strides is a national fitness program for moms and their small children, with franchises in 120 communities.
Exercising with a stroller has other benefits, particularly for DeCredico, whose triple-capacity stroller weighs 130 pounds when full. "The stroller is good for arm strength," she says. Julia DeCredico is a member of MOST.
Five women Help Triplet Mom Through Surgery
Posted January 27, 2005
Five women in San Diego have stepped up to help a triplet mom, Becky Arriola, take care of her children while she underwent and recuperated from major surgery. Arriola needed to have her colon removed and needed six to eight weeks to recover.
Amy Norris, Robin Van Bibber, Sheree Robeson, Terry Garrett and Judy Stover - members of a local church - have stepped up to help Becky. Together, they will take turns caring for Joey, Anna and Elsa Arriola over the next four months.
"They are my angels. I don't know what I'd do without them. They're absolutely priceless," Arriola said.
Read more about this family:
http://www.10news.com/news/3960142/detail.html
http://www.smccwomensministry.org/nl1triplets.htm
Editor update: Mrs. Arriola is doing well after surgery, but will soon have to undergo a second surgery. Her "angel" ladies will be helping the family again during her 2nd recooperation.
Twins, Triplets and Quads To Share Same Bed
Posted January 27, 2005
A hospital in Long Beach, California offers a very innovative policy for multiple-birth babies that enhances development and bonding. "Co-bedding" is just one of the many forward-thinking services that the Miller Children's Hospital NICU offers. Multiples can now be put in the same crib, which provides continuity of their being together from the womb and helps the babies conserve body heat to regulate their temperatures, be more content and grow faster.
Ryder Blaine and Macie Jade say they notice a big difference when their twins share a bed.
"As soon as we put Ryder and Macie together we saw an immediate difference," Randi says. "They are more content being together, and we plan on keeping them together when we get home."
Miller Children's Hospital was named one of the top 18 hospitals to have a baby by Fit Pregnancy, and is the largest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Read more.
Managing Six Babies Is A Huge Job
Posted January 27, 2005
Elizabeth Hayes has nearly mastered the knack of taking care of Tara Rose, Rachel Ann, Rebecca Mary, Ryan Peter, Connor James and Eric John Jr. all at once, and it is an amazing sight.
One early Tuesday evening and the 37-year-old mother of 10, including 11-week-old sextuplets, was sitting calmly on a brown sectional sofa in her home. She used her feet to rock four bouncy seats, containing four fussy babies, while keeping an eye on the two who are sleeping in two more bouncy seats.
Elizabeth looked serene, if weary, amid the organized chaos. "It's normal to me now. It doesn't seem like I'm one of only 11 people in the country to be in this situation," she says. "You don't think about it. You really have to just stay calm." Elizabeth says she still hasn't absorbed the fact that she is the mother of 10. They Hayes have 4 other children - two sets of twins - Kevin and Kyle, 8, and Kieran and Meghan, 6.The babies, who were all home within a month of being born, are doing very well.
The Hayes family is a member of MOST.
An article on the Hayes can be found in the Newark Star Ledger subscriber archives, and here:
http://newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2004/1130/Front_Page/002.html
http://www.app.com/app/story/0,21625,1060628,00.html
http://www.app.com/app/story/0,21625,1071347,00.html
Bryant Quintuplets All Home
Posted January 27, 2005
Craig and Darcy Bryant of Longview, Texas became the proud parents of 3 girls and two boys on September 17th at Good Samaritan medical center in Phoenix, AZ. In December, the last of the quintuplets finally came home.
Austin, Mackenzie, Kaitlyn, Payton and Caleb are doing well at home, and the parents have been getting lots of help from family, friends and neighbors.
A food company has donated a year's worth of formula to the family, and an auto dealership has given them a van big enough for a family of 7. Several fund raisers have been held to help the Bryants offset medical bills and the enormous cost of raising 5 babies.
If you'd like to help, you can make donations to the Bryant babies' benefit fund at First State Bank in Hallsville.
Their home has five of everything - strollers, cribs, carriers and so on. The babies are fed 6 times a day, and go through a total of almost 50 diapers a day. But for all the hard work and lack of sleep, the couple says it's well worth it.
The Bryant family is a member of MOST.
Read more about the Bryant family:
http://www.news-journal.com/news/content/shared/tx/quintuplets/stories/story18.html
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2642133&nav=1TjDTm9a
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2004/12/05/local_news/news/news09.txt
http://www.bloggingbaby.com/entry/3227802812401091/
F undraiser for Soukouna Family a Success
Posted January 27, 2005
Art Sims, a Chicago relationship guru, along with Tamrom Hall and Don Lemon, both television news anchors, hosted a mixer fund-raiser to benefit the Soukouna family. The fundraiser, called Holidate, was held at the Excalibur Nightclub in Chicago and raised over $70,000 for the family.
Juanita and Moussa Soukouna are parents to two-year-old quintuplets - Gabe, Moussa Jr., Caroline, Assetou and Sala. The quintuplets all have developmental challenges, including speech delays, autism, and cerebral palsy, and were born prematurly at a little over 27 weeks gestation. The children need medical attention daily. The expense of dealing with these issues - in addition to the 'normal' costs for raising quintuplets - forced the couple to give up their family van, leaving them without a car big enough to transport their crew. The family has no close relatives (dad's family live in Africa, and mom is an only child whose parents are deceased), and live in a two-bedroom apartment. The father is a truck driver; the mother, Juanita, quit her job as a registered nurse when she became pregnant with the quintuplets.
Upon hearing their plight, Art Kelly of Kelly Nissan surprised the Soukounas with a brand new 7-passenger Nissan van, five carseats, auto insurance for one year, and a gas card from Shell Oil Company good for a full year of gas. NBC5 set up a family fund for the Soukounas which, as of December 6th, had received $20,000. The fund for the Soukouna Quintuplets has been set up at MidAmerica Bank in Chicago.
The Soukouna family is a member of MOST.
Read more about the Soukouna family:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/foster/cst-nws-stella14.html
http://www.nbc5.com/irresistible/3966419/detail.html
http://www.nbc5.com/family/3952081/detail.html
Twins Killed in Dresser Accident
Posted January 27, 2005
Paul and Louise Woodbridge, along with their older children Ben (10 yrs old) and Lily (4 yrs old) mourn the loss of their two-year-old twins, Betsy and William. The toddlers had woken up from a nap and were playing when they were crushed by a chest of drawers. The toddlers were grandchildren of multi-millionaire businessman Norman Grundon. A private funeral was held for the children on October 5, 2004 at St. Mary's Church in Winkfield, Berkshire.
The family is completely devastated by this tragic accident, and asks that others respect their privacy as they grieve for their children.
Clingan Quintuplets Doing Well
Posted January 27, 2005
Four days after they were born, parents Emily and Jamey Clingan are finally able to hold one of their babies. The Clingan quintuplets - Jayden Edward, Eli Conner, Peyton Andrew, Gracyn Caroline and Avery Nikole - were born at 29 weeks on December 10th.
A team of 24 at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama helped deliver the three boys and two girls.
The biggest baby, Jayden Edward, a boy, weighed just 2 pounds 11 ounces. The smallest babies, Eli Conner and Avery Nikole, weighed only 1 pound 15 ounces. So far the babies are doing well, and two babies are breathing on their own. Doctors anticipate the babies will remain in the hospital for about 7 weeks.
Read more about the Clingan family:
http://www.health.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=73293
http://www.nbc13.com/news/3994462/detail.html
http://www.nbc13.com/news/3989416/detail.html
Updated 07/25/07
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