Poulsbo quints celebrate their second birthday
The "terrible twos" can test any parent's stamina when their toddler is going through that trying phase.
But imagine what it's like for parents of quintuplets, and you'll have an idea of what it's like at birthday time with the Stevenson family of Poulsbo.
It was two years ago that Courtnee Stevenson gave birth to Western Washington's first set of quintuplets at Swedish Medical Center - four healthy girls and a healthy boy. The births turned their family of three into a family of eight.
On Friday, the Stevenson family came back to Swedish to thank the doctors and nurses who brought them into the world two years ago, and to show them how they've grown.
And they are thriving. There's Belle ... and Scarlet ... and Aniston ... and Camilee ... and brother Weston.
"They're really strong-willed," says Courtnee. "I try to treat my house like a preschool and if they get the best of me - if I don't stay one step ahead of them - my whole day is turned upside down."
With her husband Mike working double time, Courtnee credits her loyal army of volunteers for keeping her sanity.
"I have ... 18 wonderful, wonderful women that come into my house and rock my kids when they're sick, take care of me and care about me as a person - not just the kids," says Courtnee.
Now those volunteers are trying to help the family raise money to build a house. Other volunteers are assisting them build the house. But they need more help.
In the meantime, the Stevensons are living with Courtnee's dad, and things are tight.
Nevertheless, Courtnee says, "Mike and I do the best we can. We raise them with lots of love and we think that that's the most important thing."
The family is having a birthday party and fundraiser this Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bremerton Skateland.
And you can find out more at the family's web site.
But imagine what it's like for parents of quintuplets, and you'll have an idea of what it's like at birthday time with the Stevenson family of Poulsbo.
It was two years ago that Courtnee Stevenson gave birth to Western Washington's first set of quintuplets at Swedish Medical Center - four healthy girls and a healthy boy. The births turned their family of three into a family of eight.
On Friday, the Stevenson family came back to Swedish to thank the doctors and nurses who brought them into the world two years ago, and to show them how they've grown.
And they are thriving. There's Belle ... and Scarlet ... and Aniston ... and Camilee ... and brother Weston.
"They're really strong-willed," says Courtnee. "I try to treat my house like a preschool and if they get the best of me - if I don't stay one step ahead of them - my whole day is turned upside down."
With her husband Mike working double time, Courtnee credits her loyal army of volunteers for keeping her sanity.
"I have ... 18 wonderful, wonderful women that come into my house and rock my kids when they're sick, take care of me and care about me as a person - not just the kids," says Courtnee.
Now those volunteers are trying to help the family raise money to build a house. Other volunteers are assisting them build the house. But they need more help.
In the meantime, the Stevensons are living with Courtnee's dad, and things are tight.
Nevertheless, Courtnee says, "Mike and I do the best we can. We raise them with lots of love and we think that that's the most important thing."
The family is having a birthday party and fundraiser this Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bremerton Skateland.
And you can find out more at the family's web site.
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