"I wouldn't change anything"
POULSBO, Wash. - Today is a big day for a Kitsap County family. They're celebrating five very important birthdays.
The Stevenson quintuplets are one year old!
They are five health, happy, roly poly bundles of joy, and they're digging in to their first-ever birthday cake.
To realize how far these babies have come, and what a miracle they really are, you have to look back.
Back to the days when Courtnee Stevenson endured four months of her pregnancy on bed rest at Swedish Hospital -- her belly expanding to the point of disbelief, her daughter Lilli often by her side.
Courtnee and her husband Mike made the controversial decision to have all five babies, despite medical warnings that the children might not survive.
But on the historic delivery day, they did all survive, born very tiny, but healthy. One by one, after weeks of special care, they all came home: Belle, Anniston, Weston, Camilee and Scarlet.
This day is especially sweet for the Stevensons and the army of friends, family and volunteers who keep the household sane.
The quints are part of a well-organized assembly line; dad, mom and 42 volunteers who've fallen in love with these little ones like their own.
"There's a lot to having five babies," Courtnee said. "There are so many people involved, so much emotion, divine interventions -- I feel like we have an amazing story, I really do."
Family and other volunteers help with feedings and watching the quints. The babies are on a regular schedule now for everyone's sanity.
They're sleeping through the night and starting to walk.
"Sometimes I feel like I can't take it any more, it's so crazy and if I step out and go to the grocery store I can't wait to get back because I want to see what they're doing every step," Courtnee said.
"I wouldn't change anything," said Mike. "Everybody asks me that, but I can't wait coming home to seem 'em all."
Quarters are tight. The babies all share a room, and the family is living with Courtnee's dad.
But they hope to have a new house soon with the help of a community that will rally around a family that has made history here because of their faith and determination.
"It's just amazing. When I look at em I still get goosebumps," Courtnee said.
The Stevenson's church was hoping to help them build their house, and they've started, but the project was just too big. Now, the family's started a foundation that they hope can raise the money.
There are several fundraisers and auctions planned. If you'd like to help their web site is www.thequintupletfoundation.org.
The Stevenson quintuplets are one year old!
They are five health, happy, roly poly bundles of joy, and they're digging in to their first-ever birthday cake.
To realize how far these babies have come, and what a miracle they really are, you have to look back.
Back to the days when Courtnee Stevenson endured four months of her pregnancy on bed rest at Swedish Hospital -- her belly expanding to the point of disbelief, her daughter Lilli often by her side.
Courtnee and her husband Mike made the controversial decision to have all five babies, despite medical warnings that the children might not survive.
But on the historic delivery day, they did all survive, born very tiny, but healthy. One by one, after weeks of special care, they all came home: Belle, Anniston, Weston, Camilee and Scarlet.
This day is especially sweet for the Stevensons and the army of friends, family and volunteers who keep the household sane.
The quints are part of a well-organized assembly line; dad, mom and 42 volunteers who've fallen in love with these little ones like their own.
"There's a lot to having five babies," Courtnee said. "There are so many people involved, so much emotion, divine interventions -- I feel like we have an amazing story, I really do."
Family and other volunteers help with feedings and watching the quints. The babies are on a regular schedule now for everyone's sanity.
They're sleeping through the night and starting to walk.
"Sometimes I feel like I can't take it any more, it's so crazy and if I step out and go to the grocery store I can't wait to get back because I want to see what they're doing every step," Courtnee said.
"I wouldn't change anything," said Mike. "Everybody asks me that, but I can't wait coming home to seem 'em all."
Quarters are tight. The babies all share a room, and the family is living with Courtnee's dad.
But they hope to have a new house soon with the help of a community that will rally around a family that has made history here because of their faith and determination.
"It's just amazing. When I look at em I still get goosebumps," Courtnee said.
The Stevenson's church was hoping to help them build their house, and they've started, but the project was just too big. Now, the family's started a foundation that they hope can raise the money.
There are several fundraisers and auctions planned. If you'd like to help their web site is www.thequintupletfoundation.org.
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