I have just turned 34 and find out that I am pregnant again. I guess this was my present because hello, my husband forgot one, like expensive jewerly or hey a cake would have even been nice but no, I get to be fat again for 9 months and curse everytime I have to get dressed. I had no idea how this happened.
I had been preventing and not forgetting and I could not distinctly remember any “great” night to associate this with. Hey, I was tired. My twin girls just turned 1 year old 2 weeks prior, my 8 year old had “family homework” projects to do (ok I am better at 2nd grade the second time) and my son was learning to read in kindergarten and it was christmas time. Yep, that makes 4 kids. My husband was going to kill me. So what did I do, I told my girlfriend and I waited. I waited for the moment when it was ok, when he was happy, when the kids were having a great day, when I was having a great day. But that never occured together, of course not, that would be too easy. So I wake up one morning, 3 weeks later, to the alarm and “In your eyes” by Peter Gabriel is playing and I begin crying, balling so hard that I can’t breath. He notices (Ha Ha) and I have to tell him because I got nothing, not a thing to cover with. He doesn’t say anything and gets out of bed. I’m thinking oh no he’s gone to get the ax to kill me and I can’t stop crying to get up and save myself. But when he comes back he has the picture from the wall of our twin girls and says “don’t worry, our children are great, they’re beautiful, and we are still in the baby stage; it will be fine, What’s one More?”
So everything is good and he didn’t kill me. I call for the appointment with the doctor and get in that day. I drop the older kids and the projects at school, I pick up my mother so she can stay in the car with the girls, I mean I’m running in and out quick, I have done this “first appointment” thing before and she can help me at the mall with the girls when I’m done, I really want a new outfit for Valentine’s Day the next week. So, I go in and am called back before I sit down and I think this is great and quick. I follow her back to the room, undress from the waist down and hop on the table. The sonogram begins and this women starts to laugh. I mean she chuckles and giggles. Now, there is a fine line between laughing WITH someone and laughing AT someone and I get the feeling she is laughing AT me, maybe it’s my hormones, maybe it’s because I can’t decide in my head if I should buy a skirt or pants at the mall and she is distracting my thoughts with this insatiable laugh. So, I try to think of something to say, and I come up with how I am so glad that this time I will have just one little baby on my hip and how I am going to try to enjoy this pregnancy that the last year with the twins was hard. But she’s laughing even more and more and more and I am getting so mad. Finally she speaks and says, “Well, it’s not two!”
I have had enough. I say ok, what is so funny because I’m missing it. She says to me and I quote… “It’s not two, you’re not having twins again, you’re having TRIPLETS, but let me make sure that’s all, two here and one there and yep thats all, just 3. I cry. I cry hysterically. What else should one do when they have to tell their husband, who is an only child, that we will be adding 3 more children to the 4 we already have in just 6 short months. That not only will there be 7 of them but there will be 5 of them under 2 years old for a long time. Then I scream. I yell at the lady and say very, very bad sailor-type words at her. I tell her to get out, that she has no idea what she is doing and to find someone in that crackpot of an office who knows how to count and only to 1.
Well that never happened, all the people in that office counted to 3. My mom had to come in with the girls because I was crazy and the staff was scared. When I told my mom this tid-bit of info, she looked at me straight faced and asked, “What are you going to do; how are you going to tell Bob; do I have to be there?” That “quick trip” to the doctor that was only going to take a short time lasted 3 hours. I finally stopped, stopped crying, laughing and being sick and I drove to tell him the exciting news. When I get there I give him the sonogram picture and he asked, “why did they give you three pictures of one baby?”
So if you’re wondering…..I did go shopping. While I was in the doctor’s office in between crying and laughing I decided to buy both a skirt and pants. Not to mention my husband did say, “What’s one more?”
Knowing this family not only makes this all the funnier, but also puts me in the position to say, “This could not have happened to a better couple.” They are great parents, and do a fantastic job of raising 7, even if their neighbors run from them!
Kristy, March 7 2007I everyday wonder how she is doing and knowing this story makes it all the more wonderful. I spent so many nights in the hospital just hearing her great attitude and how wonderful she is. To think about dealing with 3 after 2 scares me straight! WTG! I love your essay!
Angie, March 7 2007The first day I met Nikki was when she was registering her two oldest children to join the swim team that I coach. She was pushing a most impressive stroller, carrying three lovely children. Whenever I see someone with triplets, I automatically clap for them and tell them they have my utmost respect. Wow, I thought five kids and I said so out loud, to which Nikki replied, “Actually seven; I left the twins at home.” My mouth just hung open. My brain could not register such a number. That was six months ago. I have had the honor of coaching both Nina and Sam and am constantly impressed with how great these two kids are. I am also impressed with just how their mom, Nikki, makes sure these two get to do the activities that they love. It must be a massive juggling act to get everyone where they need to be, but Nikki pulls it off because that’s what great moms do. I loved reading how she found out she was due to have triplets - I only imagined how shocking that must have been - and it made me smile knowing how true that adage is that you are never given more than you can handle. The wonderful way this family pulls it all together is proof.
Sue, March 7 2007Those children are truly blessed to have Nikki and grandma Rosie.
Marilyn, March 7 2007The first time I met Nikki she had planned a phenomenal surprise party for her husband, inviting the majority of his college fraternity brothers - my husband being one. She had orchestrated an elaborate event, including hotel reservations for out of town guests, welcome packages for each person, transportation to/from hotel, and an evening of amazing fun! To top it off, this supermom schleps in 7 children to the surprise party and is never once shaken as they hang from her hips, arms, heels and any other appendage they could grasp! She looked phenomenal and pulled off a great night of great memories for her husband, family and close friends!! Cheer to Nikki!!!!
Cindy, March 8 2007How fortunate these seven children are to have such a loving family. They need to keep their wonderful sense of humor!
Carol B., March 8 2007Yes, and Aunt Jaymi and Aunt Shelly
Jaymi, March 8 2007These kids are truly blessed they have a great Mom who loves them all dearly. They also have a great Aunt Shelly. This mom deserves a day at the spa and a great gift !!!!!!!!
fran, March 8 2007great reading, best of the top ten
David Eyster, March 8 2007I was there the day they all counted to 3. I was in shock, all I could think about was how are you going to breast feed 3 babies? With the twins she held one on each side and managed to close her eyes for a minute or two, but with 3 how is she going to rotate and remember who gets rotated. Well here we are 18 months later and she did it. She rotated, rocked, diapered, dressed, bathed and
even found time to read a few books and write an essay. I love you and Gook Luck! Mom
I am laughing at myself right now after reading this essay b/c I have been struggling with the decision of having a 2nd child. But really what is just one more!
Thanks!
Hi Nikki…it’s Melissa, your “They Have Nothing On Me” competition! I just wanted to write and say that I think your essay is AWESOME and when I read it for the first time when it first came up, I thought it was fabulous and I can see from the comments that you are an amazing woman and a great mother! Also, being in head to head competition with you over the past two days has been a blast…you have made my crazy days so much fun…thank you!!!
Melissa, March 8 2007SEVEN CHILDREN AND SHE STILL CONSTRUCT A COMPLETE SENTENCE, MUST BE A GENIUS.
SANDY MIKKELSEN, March 8 2007nikki is truly an amazing wife mother friend and daughter-in=law she is patient kind loving gentle and beautiful god bless you sweetheart
jackie democko, March 8 2007Four was alot for me and the weren’t born in groups!!!- So bless these parents and Grandma Rosie who has told me what a fine patient Mom this young woman is. I don’t know when she found the time to write this fine essay???
Ginny Labor, March 9 2007The average women would have turned on the car and sucked on the tailpipe. This woman is one it ten million. Hope you win!!!
Judy L, March 9 2007Attitude, it’s all about attitude. When the triplets were about 3 months old and there just weren’t enough sets of hands to go around, I offered to help with diapering, feeding, burping, etc. Hectic but sweet. I said to Nikki, “when they get older, it will be alot of fun.” She came right back at me without even thinking and said, “it is fun now.” Keep in mind, not only did the triplets needs have to be met, but there were two twin baby sisters that needed to be bathed and put to bed. Big sister Nina and big brother Sam needed help with their homework and had to get ready for bed too. And all of this after making dinner for nine. That is why this amazing woman and her loving husband handle everything so well. It’s all about attitude. God Bless all of you. P.S. Your essay just skimmed the surface, didn’t it? Love ya.
Theresa Cannon, March 10 2007Single, single, double and a triple,almost hit for the cycle. God’s blessing in bunches. But did you have to copy?, we had triplets first, but no plans for twins to catch up to you guys.
T J, March 11 2007Nikki, you are awesome! Nina’s in my daughter’s class and on her swim team. I’m also so impressed by how you manage to have two of your seven children on a swim team, attend practices, and meets that last an entire afternoon! Your children are lovely. You ROCK!
Jane, March 12 2007Children are a blessing!! Cherish every moment and good luck to you!
Kim, March 12 2007My seven year old is a handful, I can’t imagine how you do it. Keep it up!
David "Doc" Van Newkirk, March 12 2007Nikki,
A guys point of view—You are pretty awesome.
Jim
I REMEMBER WHEN NIKKI WAS JUST A BABY HERSELF. HER BEAUTIFUL EYELASHES AND THE 1 LOND EYEBROW THAT WENT DIRECTLY ACROSS HER SKULL.
AFTER SHE WAS POTTY TRAINED AT 11, SHE WAS A GREAT GIRL SCOUT!! BEST OF LUCK
FATMAN AKA DAN BRANDWEIN
DR. DAN BRANDWEIN, March 12 2007you have to actually see it to believe it!!! when nikki gets going with the feeding, changing diapers and bathing , putting to bed and the never ending “hey ma!!!” s it is amazing to witness!! she is so calm and her children are truly some of the most well behaved kids i have ever seen. im glad ive got to be around them ALL OF THEM!!!!
"AUNT"lori, March 12 2007You are given only what you can handle, and Nikki you do a great job. Not many parents could do what you do on a daily basis. Good luck!!
Angela P.
Great story….. Must win
Lisa Spadaford, March 12 2007What a great essay. Better her than me
Michele Seals, March 12 2007Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lori Calmbacher, March 12 2007Wow, what a miracle
Cory Calmbacher, March 12 2007Thank goodness I’m a guy.
Jason Bane, March 12 2007God Bless her
David Seals, March 12 2007Gifts from heaven
Patsy Seals, March 12 2007wow
Patsy Seals, March 12 2007Nikki,
You and Bob are really THE SUPER PARENTS!!!
I have twins myself who are almost 28 years old, and I thought that was amazing. Everyone says they don’t know how you did it, but you did it because of the person you are. Good luck and may God bless all nine of you, and Oh yea….I loved your essay!!!!! Hope you win.
If anyone deserves the the Mother of the year award, it has to be you, and Bob helped make you just that!! We can’t forget him can we? Good luck in winning this contest and God bless all of you.
Bill ISlafka, March 12 2007Nikki is truly an inspiration to both me and my husband Mark. We love her, Bob and all the kids.
And if you have never met her, she is truly one hot mama!!! Good Luck Nik!! You deserve to win!
goodluck
chad, March 12 2007My only comment.thank god that stork
hit their chimmney AND NOT MINE!!
Nikki is truely an outstanding mother!!!! She is really SUPERMOM!!!! And really; when you think about it what is “one” more????
Jaymi, March 7 2007