Little Magicmouse's Working House: Quintuplets 五胞胎的故事

M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E

LDS Family Prepares for Quintuplets
By Jayson Wilkinson

Steven Covey once said, “There are three constants in life: change, choice, and principles.” Some of us, myself included, often think it would be much nicer if the constants in life were happiness, easy church callings, and good Christmas presents.

Change is often unwelcome and uncomfortable; choice is often much more difficult than it seems when other people are doing it, and principles are just so unbending sometimes.

Despite this, I believe that the Lord puts these constants in our paths to help us become much better than we ever could have been. He knows that we need change and choice to help us grow and also to help us recognize and live by the principles. My wife and I have found this to be true. Recent events in our lives have really helped us to recognize that change and choice are things that will help us, but it wasn't easy.

A couple of years ago, Rachelle and I decided we wanted to have another baby. We already had two, but our youngest (a daughter named Kaiya), was approaching three years old and my wife was starting to forget the torture we endured when dealing with our first two colicky babies.

The Wilkinson family — Jayson, Rachelle, big brother Riley and little sister Kaila.

With our first two children, getting pregnant was easy. This time, however, things were different. After several months of trying, we realized something was wrong and decided to see the doctor. The doctor determined that Rachelle was not ovulating and prescribed a couple of different medications to help.

After several months of taking these medications, however, things still didn't seem to be working right, so our doctor sent us to a fertility specialist. The specialist recommended we try using injectable fertility drugs in combination with an IUI (intrauterine insemination). Doing this treatment required that Rachelle give herself shots every night. She had to do it by herself because I was not brave enough to give her the shots or even watch her give them to herself.

The procedure was successful and we found out that we were pregnant! We knew there was some risk of multiples associated with doing this type of infertility treatment so we were bracing ourselves for twins. The doctor had informed us that we had a twenty percent chance for twins and a five percent chance of triplets.

When we visited the fertility doctor to do an ultrasound and see how things were coming, I watched as the doctor moved the probe over some various unrecognizable blobs. He had kind of a worried look on his face so I was a little nervous that something was wrong. After a few minutes, he looked at Rachelle, held up five fingers, and said, “Five.”

Week 11 ultrasound - Click to Enlarge

Rachelle yelled, “Five?”

The doctor began explaining his recommendation for this type of situation, which was to reduce to twins. He began going over some of the very negative things that are likely to happen if you try to carry all five. He told us that it was unlikely that the babies would survive, and that if they did survive, they would most likely have physical and/or mental disabilities.

We were still in a state of shock at this point. Rachelle has a Masters degree in statistics so, in the past, statistics were always on our side. The doctor said that in more than 20 years of doing fertility treatments, he had never had anything like this happen. I guess it was just our luck.

After leaving the fertility clinic, still in a state of shock, we did the only logical thing we could think of — which was, of course, to get a chocolate shake. We were faced with a choice that would seriously affect our lives and the lives of our unborn children. We were told that the best medical option was to reduce to twins so we felt like we had to seriously consider that option.

During this time, both my wife and I felt empty, scared, and abandoned. Why had we been called to make such an awful decision? Why did we feel so little peace? What sort of weird plan were we on where this kind of thing would happen? These and other questions were going through our minds and we sought desperately for peace.

Heavenly Guidance

After we got home, we began to pray in earnest for guidance. Over the next week or so, we met with our bishop who gave us council on the Church's position on abortion and asked for us to pray and fast. Well, he asked for me to fast. Rachelle couldn't fast because of the whole “eating for six” thing.

When we were first considering our options and doing research on everything, we started to think that if we did have to reduce, we would only reduce to triplets because we felt like they would still all have decent odds of getting here safely. We thought it was funny that we considered triplets to be something that would be “easy.”

During this time of decision, several miracles happened. We came in contact with another member of the Church who happened to be friends with Rachelle's cousins and who had quadruplets about three years ago. She told us about a doctor in Phoenix who has a really good track record for delivering quadruplets and quintuplets. His average gestation was several weeks longer than the national average, which was incredible.

Around this time, we went to the temple. Inside the temple, both of us had a very strong feeling that all would work out. We were not sure what that meant but we felt very calm about the whole thing. Also, during the time in the temple, I felt like I had received an answer that we were supposed to keep them all. I didn't want to share this with Rachelle because I knew that she had to come to that same answer on her own or it wouldn't work out.

A little while after our experience in the temple, we met with our stake president. During our meeting with him, we both felt very strongly that we should keep the babies. When we knew that we had both come to the same answer, a huge weight was lifted off our shoulders and we were very excited and very happy. We were going to do all we could to get those babies here safely and although we had no idea how it was all going to turn out, it seemed to give renewed purpose to our lives.

In fact, we still don't know how it is all going to turn out. Rachelle is at 24 weeks right now and is in Phoenix staying with her very gracious Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Rick. So far she and the babies are doing well. We don't know yet what the whole outcome of this will be, but we feel a peaceful, calm assurance that we are doing the right thing.

I would have never guessed that this kind of thing would happen to our family. I really try to do what is right and I know Rachelle does as well. In the beginning we thought that maybe we had done something bad to deserve this. Now, however, we feel like it is precisely because of the good things we have done and who we try to be, that our Heavenly Father has seen fit to give us such a great blessing.

Rachelle in April

We know there will be times of trial and discouragement that will surely come with these babies. That comes with any new baby. We know that we made the right decision when we were faced with a difficult choice. We met change head on and embraced it. We stuck to our principles.

Knowing these things and having the calming assurance from our Heavenly Father that we are on the right path gives us the courage to press forward and helps us to know that in the end, all will be well with our family.

Part Two.

M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E

Texas Family has Quintuple Miracles
By Kathleen Rappleye, with Rachelle Wilkinson

Have you ever heard people question why we don't have miracles today like we did in the time of Jesus or Joseph Smith? The answer is, of course, that we do, but unless we are directly involved we often don't hear anything about them.

I just returned home from spending a week helping my niece Rachelle Wilkinson with her quintuplets. An article was written by her husband Jayson in May when she was 24 weeks along (see “LDS Family Prepares for Quintuplets”); I thought it was time to update everyone on this amazing story of faith and miracles.

Rachelle spoke recently at a stake Relief Society conference in Cedar Park, Texas. The theme for the conference was “His Love Will I Know through Motherhood.” I can't think of a better person to address that topic.

The Wilkinson family, shown here at Christmas. Photography by Kristen Duke.
Click to enlarge.

During her presentation, she mentioned that she had been pretty frightened at first and as they were listening to April 2007, conference it seemed that Elder Richard G. Scott spoke directly to her on the importance of prayer to help in times of worry and stress. He said:

I wonder if we can ever really fathom the immense power of prayer until we encounter an overpowering, urgent problem and realize that we are powerless to resolve it. Then we will turn to our Father in humble recognition of our total dependence on Him. …

Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. Your character will grow; your faith will increase. There is a relationship between those two: the greater your faith, the stronger your character; and increased character enhances your ability to exercise even greater faith.

As she has applied these principles of faith and prayer in her situation she found much strength, help and guidance through her pregnancy and after as she has cared for five premature babies.

The Wilkinson quintuplets nap under the spotlights.
Click to enlarge.

Rachelle never complained through the whole process. Even the doctors and nurses were amazed by her great attitude and good humor. Her waistline grew to 54” before she delivered, and that is quite a lot on her 5'2” frame. At the end she couldn't even sit up, but the only thing I ever heard her say was that things were getting a little tight.

Rachelle, shortly before delivery.

Her doctor wanted her to go to at least 34 weeks, which she was able to do — a great miracle in itself as the average gestation for quintuplets is 29 weeks. She only spent about three weeks in the hospital before the birth, another miracle.

The babies were born on July 31st, about six weeks early. Their combined weight, 21 pounds 7.6 ounces, broke the record for birth weight for quintuplets. Each baby was healthy; even the smallest, Kaydence, was hungry and looking around from the minute she was born. Their weights were from 3 pounds 6 ounces for the smallest to 5 pounds 1 ounce for the largest. There were a few minor problems at first, but all of them were home within the month. Their names are Rustin, Ryder, Kassidy, Kaydence, and Kyndall.

Earthly Angels

Moroni said that it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. From the time that the Wilkinsons found that they were expecting quintuplets until now, angels have appeared in many forms to help.

There have been many donations of everything from diapers to baby equipment and clothes. Rachelle's old employer purchased a quintuplet stroller for them. Jayson's employer, National Instruments, donated a new 12-passenger van, and Enfamil donated a year's worth of formula — no small donation because the babies needed the most expensive one made for premature babies. Her mother gave her a year's worth of a house cleaning service, and other family members gave her a new large-capacity washer and dryer.

Aunt Kathy Rappleye and Rachelle with the quintuplets in their stroller, which was donated by Rachelle's former employer.
Click to enlarge.

Of course that is only the beginning. There have been countless hours donated by ward and stake members, family, friends, and even perfect strangers in helping to care for the babies. It takes a lot of loving arms to feed, change and cuddle five little ones. They had round the clock help at first with people even staying overnight to help so Rachelle could sleep. She has since done sleep training with the babies, and they no longer need the night nannies.

Rachelle with all five by herself, something she hasn't had to do much because of all the help.
Click to enlarge.

A Laundry List of Miracles

A few years ago our family put together a miracle book for a family reunion. It contained miracle stories from each member; we felt that these amazing things should be written down for posterity. Rachelle said that at the time she didn't feel that she had anything to contribute, but since then, because of her experience with quintuplets, she has had many, large and small. I asked her to list some of them. Here is what she wrote:

The largest and most important miracles are of course the five healthy quintuplets. The doctors said at their six-month checkup that the babies are all doing great. The doctors are amazed at how healthy the babies are and at how wonderfully they are progressing. Developmentally, they are all right on track — doing things that full-term babies of the same age are doing. Growth-wise they are catching up as well.
The babies are now seven months old, and I have never had to take them to the doctor for anything other than regular checkups. With Riley and Kaiya both bringing home germs from school and the many people that come in and out, I consider it a big miracle that our worst ailments have been some runny noses and little coughs.
Several times we have been shorthanded, the babies have been screaming, and someone will just show up — unscheduled and unexpected — right when we need them. This happened many times when the babies were younger.
Kaiya (age 5) got into a preschool after the year started and it ended up being the same preschool as some kids in our ward who live nearby. The other parents give her rides every time. It also is less expensive than other preschools, which is a big help. On the same lines, The Goddard School opened up, and someone from the school contacted me and let her come for free on the days she doesn't have her regular preschool.
The doctor told us that 80-90% of premature babies end up with reflux. I only had one out of five that had reflux.
The formula donation from Enfamil was a miracle. It would have been a terrible expense, but it was something that the babies would have needed despite the cost.
All the dinners we have received are miracles to me. One sister showed up at the door with a dozen homemade frozen dinners. Many others have just dropped by with a meal, “just in case you are too busy.”
Jayson got a raise soon after the babies were born that helps cover the extra expenses.
The house has been a huge miracle. [They felt impressed to buy this house before Rachelle became pregnant, but felt a little guilty because it was so big. Since the babies were born they have found out just how perfect it is. For example, the family dining room is large enough that all five high chairs fit along one wall perfectly. The living room has been perfect for a baby care room, with two changing stations, shelves, three rockers and a play area. The office across the hall from there is the perfect size for five cribs. The overall size of the house is perfect for a family of nine. Heavenly Father was helping them prepare even before they knew.]

The house has a five high-chair dining room.
Click to enlarge.

As her aunt, I went to “help out,” but as in most cases of serving was more than rewarded with being a witness to these miracles. One of the most amazing things I observed while there was how the babies were put to bed each night.

Every night at 6:30 p.m. was family dance time; the babies were laid on a quilt on the floor and the music was turned on while Mom and Dad, Riley and Kaiya all had fun dancing and playing with the babies.

The family during the evening dance and bedtime ritual.
Click to enlarge.

At seven o'clock, the music was changed to soft baby classics. The older kids went to their rooms to read in bed; the babies were taken to the care room and fed a bottle. The lights were low and voices were soft. The babies were then undressed and their diapers changed. They received a baby massage with a lotion that had lavender in it to help soothe them. They especially loved having their feet rubbed.

Their pajamas were put on and they were wrapped in a blanket, cuddled for a few minutes and placed in their beds. By 7:30, all five were settled and asleep. Now, that is a miracle!

To end this article I thought it would be appropriate to copy a small section from Rachelle's blog:

When I found out I was pregnant with quints, I thought for sure God had made a mistake. The five babies were supposed to go to someone who majored in family science (I have a masters degree in statistics), and who always wanted to run a daycare out of their home?

Now that the babies are here, I realize that God did know what he was doing after all. He knew I was a “numbers” person and was just trying to give me a bigger sample size! There is an amazing amount of data involved when you have quints. We keep track of what time they eat, how much they eat, when they take baths, what medications they take, how much they weigh, how often they puke and what type of messy diaper they have.

My house is the ultimate test site for baby stuff. I have tried several baby products many times on multiple babies. With all these data, I could do some great analysis and make some terrific looking graphs — if only I had the time!

A Day with the Quints "By the Numbers"

3 baby girls
2 baby boys
30-35 bottles
120-150 ounces of formula
40-50 dirty diapers
1-2 loads of baby laundry
5 baths
10 ears to wash behind
2 swings
3 bouncers
2 changing tables
3 rocking chairs
5 cribs
40 burp cloths
10 blankets
10-15 outfits
15 pacifiers
5-10 daytime volunteers
50 fingers to hold mine
50 toes to kiss
5 beautiful smiles