Latest news with #quadruplets
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
One year, four babies and a 'Village' of love: Edmonton quadruplets' family grateful for outpouring of support
When raising kids takes a village and a large, in-depth spreadsheet, you're likely parents of quadruplets. Last year, Tara and Tommy Watson welcomed four precious babies into the world and on Thursday at the Laurier Heights Community League, they celebrated the quadruplets' (two boys, two girls) first birthday in front of their 'village' of supporters of more than 100 people. Friends. Family. Friends of friends. Even some strangers, who've now become friends, have all teamed up to help the Watson family after the quadruplets arrived on July 8, last year. After giving birth to their daughter Emmy Lou in 2022, they're now parents of five under the age of three. 'It's been really special, and something very humbling for all of us,' said Stephanie Perry, a neighbour and family friend of 11 years, who lives down the street from the Watsons. 'Everyone at this party today is the embodiment of people who took a look around to see what needs to be done and step in and do it.' From going on clothing and diaper drives and helping with home renovations before the quadruplets were born, to the early stages of changing 50 diapers a day, to now seeing all four babies celebrate their first birthday — it's been an incredible ride. The Watsons' 'village' has done everything they can to help lighten the load and make the chaotic days of taking care of four babies just a little less chaotic. 'Because I live so close, originally I was put on SOS duty to help with emergency moments. If someone cancelled or there was a snowstorm and someone couldn't make it, I stepped in to help. But now I'm doing Monday afternoon shifts and Wednesdays,' said Perry. 'A lot of us that are in the helper group are moms who have been through (parenting) already, and a lot of us have older children. Being able to see these little ones become who they are from the very beginning, is so special.' Heather Rootsaert recruited her 17-year-old and 14-year-old daughters to help, and they're known as the 'Thursday-Saturday crew.' 'To see it and be a part of it, it's absolutely unbelievable. It's awe-inspiring,' said Rootsaert, who's known Tara for 13 years. 'Many of us have formed a special bond through this experience. There have been amazing moments and there have been some trying times, and some of us have to go over there at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. to help out, but everyone rallies.' If you were to poll members of the 'village' and the Watsons, Max is likely to be the first to walk. Theo is the fastest crawler. Sydney loves books, and Kenna says 'No' the most. While they may be quadruplets, their personalities are quite different, as seen in their reactions to four flaming birthday cakes, as everyone belted out Happy Birthday to them at the party. Max cried. Theo was very hesitant. Kenna wasn't sure about all the commotion, while Sydney couldn't wait to dig in and start eating her individual birthday cake. 'You could assume they would do a lot of things at the same time, and hit their milestones together, but it's such a perfect acknowledgment that every baby is so different. They're going to do things on their own time,' said Tara. 'We get to see it every day. We get to see who's crawling first, who got their first tooth. You might think they're so similar, but we're finding they're even more different than they are similar.' The Watsons said this year has had its share of challenges, but it's also been filled with many blessings and surprises. As parents, you're always forced to adapt — sometimes on the fly. But imagine going through an absolutely life-changing experience of raising quadruplets. This year, they've welcomed roughly 100 people into their home, who signed up wanting to help. That can't be easy. 'They're doing amazing,' said Perry. 'Take the stress of becoming a parent, whether it's your first time or not. It's not just multiplied by four, it's multiplied by a thousand. The joys are that much bigger, but the catastrophic thinking can be so much bigger. 'It takes a special vulnerability to open yourself up and ask for help the way they have, and to open your home to a steady flow of people all the time. Their lives have really opened up in a beautiful way, because they've been willing to be so open.' While the Watsons celebrated Max, Theo, Sydney and Kenna's milestone first birthday in a big way, it was also a way for them to recognize and thank their 'village' of friends and family and others, who are helping them through the journey of raising quadruplets. Members of their 'village' helped with major renovations to prep for the quadruplets' arrival. They cooked meals and baked goods, so Tara and Tommy didn't have to worry about cooking meals for the first few months. They cleaned the house, and mowed the lawn, and shovelled snowy sidewalks. 'The theme of today, 'Friends 4 ever' wasn't chosen because we have four babies, and not because they're going to be built-in best friends for life, but because of all of you,' said Tara in a speech to all who attended the celebration. 'This community, this village, you are our friends forever, and stuck with us now, whether you like it or not. Some of you I didn't even know a year ago. Some are friends of friends, moms or sisters of friends, neighbours, I may not have ever crossed paths with again, if I had just one baby last summer like we planned,' she continued. 'But life had other plans. Four little miracles that chose me to be their mom, and Tommy their dad. In doing so, it's brought all of you together, and you are now forever part of our family. 'I can't wait for the day when we can pay it all forward and give the same love, generosity and support to someone that you've given so freely to us.' The Watsons and their 'village' made it through the first year, and can look forward to whatever comes their way next in Year 2 and beyond. No matter what, the Watsons are forever grateful. 'We feel like we won our lottery,' said Tara. 'We have the most special and incredible healthy babies and we have everything we could ever ask for. I'm so grateful for them, and my family and friends who keep showing up.' 'Can't believe the blessing we have': Edmonton couple will give birth to quadruplets in July Adorable Hythe quadruplets remain delightful social media sensation You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post, and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Secret Society for Moms of Quadruplets ... and What Happens When They Get Together IRL
When Hanna Castle, 25, received the news that she was pregnant with quadruplets, she was floored. But after she posted her ultrasound on TikTok, she received a second surprise: an invitation to join what she calls "a very exclusive club." It's a Facebook group called "Quad Moms and More," and it has about 650 members. But don't bother searching for it, because you'll never find it. "Somebody who's already in it has to add you as a Facebook friend, and then they have to add you to the Facebook group and you have to show proof that you either have quadruplets or more," Castle tells Her proof was the viral ultrasound video featuring her quads — Atlas, Morgan, Magnolia and Dominic — who are now 3 years old. "You can ask anything under the sun and they're gonna have an answer for you. You can vent about anything," Castle says of the members of the group. "It's just people that actually understand and that have been through it and can actually give you advice, because that's really hard to come by when you're in such a rare situation." One of Castle's quad mom friends, Ashley Crandell, mentioned that she wished the online group could get together in real life. Though she was one of the youngest and newest members of the group, Castle decided to take the reins and plan a getaway for the moms of multiples. The trip has now become an annual event. The first year they went to Nashville in late summer, then spring in Miramar Beach, Florida, and this year they just returned from a trip to St. George, Utah. Each trip has lasted three or four nights, and Castle rotates the timing and location to give everyone a chance at being able to attend. What do moms do when they don't have to cater to their four, five, six (or more!) children? Anything they want! "It's like a big adult women's sleepover," Castle says with a laugh. "A lot of us have never even met each other at all, and you're just going and staying with a bunch of strangers you met on the internet." There are a few constants on the trips: a giant rental house, icebreaker games, matching pajamas, TikTok dances for the social media influencers of the group, photo shoots and one "fancy" dinner out. Some things the moms do on the trip 'cannot be named,' Castle says mysteriously. But for the most part, "we just act as young girls again who don't have kids and responsibilities at home. It's such a good release." Not every woman has young kids. Some members of the group are in their 60s, with quads (and more!) who are now in their 20s and 30s. Others, like Castle, have to line up parenting partners and caretakers to cover their absence at home. You might guess that it would be a gargantuan task to prepare the family for mom's solo vacation. But Castle says dads of multiples are a cut above the average. "When you have quads, quints and more, the dads don't really get to take a step back. They're super involved," she explains. "We are very fortunate that they're kind of forced to take on that active dad role that you don't get to see much these days." Her husband, Nicholas Castle, readily steps in while his wife is away, and they find caregivers while he's at work. Even so, Castle acknowledges how difficult it can be for moms to get away, which is why a good number of moms have only attended one of the three trips ... if any. But the ones who are lucky enough to get together are thankful they did. "Every time we've left from a trip, I always have moms that are like, 'I really needed that. I was hanging on by a thread,'" Castle says. There are also tears on the last day of vacation. "You get so sad because you all live across the United States," Castle says of her mom group friends. "You don't get to see them every day but you relate to them so much. So it hurts to leave them. You really just needed that time to not have any responsibility for a moment and just relax." This article was originally published on
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I was desperate for a girl but ended up pregnant with quads – now I have 7 kids and trolls accuse us of claim benefits
WHEN Ronjera and Carlos Abrahams, 33 and 34, began trying for their fourth baby, they were hoping to complete their family with a little girl. But what the childhood sweethearts never could've anticipated was that Ronjera would fall pregnant with quadruplets - and they were soon to become parents of SEVEN. 'We had been hoping and praying for a little girl for about eight years,' she said. 'I love my boys dearly, but I truly wanted to know what it feels like to have a little girl. 'I surely did not expect quadruplets. The girls wear matching everything.' Ronjera and Carlos met aged 17 and tied the knot young at aged 18, both in agreement that neither of them wanted a big family. They welcomed Carlos Jr, 14, Christian, eight, and Cameron, four - all homeschooled by Ronjera - before deciding to try one last time for a daughter. The couple, from North Carolina, US, were informed at seven weeks that Ronjera was expecting triplets and spent the next month trying to process the news. Then, at the following scan, the doctors revealed that she was actually carrying four babies, leaving them dumbfounded. After hearing the news, Ronjera took a two-mile walk, crying the entire time. However, it was Carlos' compassionate and confident attitude towards the news that brought her comfort amidst the emotion overload. The quadruplets, who are now five months old, are girls Ariyah and Aniyah, and boys Cayden and Carter. 'Going from three to seven was a huge change for us,' Ronjera told Truly. 'Day-to-day life is unpredictable but I try to at least have a schedule sometimes. 'Right now, there isn't a great balance but I just make it work with the time that I have.' Ronjera has shared her journey of life as a mum-of-seven on social media and has carved out a career for herself as a content creator. However, trolls have accused her of having lots of children to receive benefits and government assistance. 'I don't take it personally at all,' she said. The mum-of-seven penned on Instagram about her experience carrying quadruplets: 'Our beautiful babies made it to 31 weeks with no complications and no surgeries, and spent only 36 days in the NICU. 'My pregnancy was the best pregnancy that I've ever experienced and I had a 100% healthy pregnancy with no complications. 'I say all this to say going from being a family of five to nine was unexpected and scary. 'These are our miracle babies… We wouldn't change it for the world. They have blessed our home tremendously.'
