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We Welcomed 4 Babies in Just 13 Months (Yes, It’s True)
by @newfamilyadventures
Updated: May 1, 2019
Originally Published: April 30, 2019
We were planning for five children. Yes, five.
The reality set in for me when I reached 20 weeks pregnant with baby #5. My husband and I were still processing the fact that we were about to welcome another child while already parenting four—three of whom were under a year old. All I could think about was how to explain to others that we had four babies in just 13 months, alongside our 12-year-old son.
It took us four, yes four, IVF cycles to conceive, and we also opted for a surrogate to ensure we would have a child after experiencing her carrying twins and my pregnancy going to full term. Surrogacy felt like the best path for us, especially after a previous miscarriage; time was not on our side.
After a lot of soul searching, we placed two embryos with our surrogate and were thrilled to welcome beautiful twin girls in addition to the baby girl I carried.
Our journey was remarkable, filled with ups and downs. Anyone who knows me understands that I like to be in control. Handing over that control to someone I didn’t know was daunting, even though she was thoroughly vetted. I felt immense gratitude toward her for this incredible gift but also had the urge to ensure she was following a healthy routine—eating right, exercising, and driving safely. Eventually, I found my inner peace, trusted our choice, and kept in touch with her throughout the process. I coordinated with doctors, ensured her groceries were organic, and even arranged massages for her comfort. I focused on what I could control and kept my fingers crossed.
In the end, everything worked out perfectly. My surrogate was a dream, and I am eternally grateful to her for carrying my daughters safely.
We transitioned from a family of three to a bustling family of seven in just 13 months. I gave birth to our daughter Harlow and our son Ethan within a year of each other, while our surrogate delivered our twins in between. Now, we have five children! It’s astonishing how manageable a household of four kids—one tween and three infants—can be. We found our rhythm and established a solid routine. However, introducing another baby into the mix has intensified the challenge.
This experience has taught me the importance of being proactive, constantly anticipating our children’s needs; otherwise, they can easily take over.
Planning has become second nature to us. Every Sunday evening, I sit down with my 12-year-old to go over his schedule, coordinating activities and homework. My husband and I tackle responsibilities as a team—grocery shopping, meal prep, work obligations—nearly everything is divided. The babies are kept on a strict feeding and sleep schedule.
Juggling all of this can be overwhelming, and there are days when exhaustion feels unbearable. Yet, in the end, love is what makes it all worthwhile. We cherish our family deeply, and that love keeps us going. To anyone managing multiple children, large families, or simply the challenges of parenthood, I salute you—the struggle is indeed real.
For those interested in expanding their families, check out our post on artificial insemination kits here. You can also find expert advice on conception planning here, and for informative statistics on infertility, visit the CDC here.
Summary:
In a whirlwind journey, our family expanded from three to seven in just 13 months, with four babies born in that timeframe. After facing challenges like multiple IVF cycles and navigating surrogacy, we ultimately welcomed twin girls and two more children. The experience has been both rewarding and exhausting, underscoring the importance of love and proactive planning in parenting.