The Basics…
Name: Jenna Walker, 30
City: Safety Harbor, FL
How many kids: 4 … ALL 17 months! Jillian, Cameron, Cash, and Jack
Many of us who have had children, one at a time, have wondered what it would be like having twins… or triplets… Can you imagine QUADRUPLETS!? Jenna Walker, of Safety Harbor, can tell you all about all about it. The oh-so-Divine Jenna used to be a teacher, but now takes care of her 17-month old quadruplets full time. In her nomination, her friend Tiffany gushed about how amazing she is – “Despite the chaotic life they live she ALWAYS seems to be so organized and looking fabulous! On top of raising those four beauties, she is a member of the Junior League of St. Petersburg and helps with various charity functions that are close to her heart.” Read on for yourself, how could you not be amazed by this Divine Mom?!
D: Talk about life defining moments… when did you learn that you four babies on the way? What were your initial feelings?
J: We found out that we were expecting multiples early on. I had VERY high HCG levels. The doc prepared us that there would likely be more than one, and probably more than two when I was about 4 weeks along. At the first ultrasound appointment, we were told there were, and I quote, “a lot of babies!” Is it me, or is that an insanely relative phrase?! I mean “A LOT” could be 3 to one person and then there’s Ole’ Octomom! Of course, her story hadn’t broken at this point. That probably would have sent me over the edge!
Then, they counted. We were shocked and silent. I remember gripping my husband’s hand EXTREMELY tight. It was funny, the staff at the doctor’s office commented on how “calm” we were. Um, NOT SO MUCH! In fact, I’m fairly certain we should be up for an Emmy if we seemed even remotely calm.
The following days and weeks were filled with panic, silence, moments of uncontrollable, snotty nosed sobbing, and then, acceptance and even excitement. I still look back on all we went through and can’t believe what a rollercoaster we were on! I’m really proud of my husband. Not to sound cliché, but he was my rock. Come to think of it, my parents were also rocks for us. I guess we were just one BIG rockin’ fam!
D: A life with 17-month old quadruplets must be hectic; do you have any daily or weekly rituals that keep you sane?
J: Rituals to promote sanity include, but are not limited to regular family dinners with my parents, aunt, uncle, and my Grandpa, and the Hubs when he’s home in time; monthly moms nights with some local gals, my Grandpa (aka Papa) comes by once a week and spends the day with the quads so I can run errands, and texting my best friends regularly to share the madness that is our lives!
D: What does being a good mom mean to you?
J: Knowing my kids as individuals. I want to know what their strengths, needs, and joys are. I want them to feel like they are EACH important to me and for different reasons.
D: What advice do you have to give to new moms?
J: Life isn’t a Rockwell painting! Revel in the madness and find the humor whenever you can. Now, that little gem of advice for new mamas rolled off the fingertips real nice. Was it my reality? Certainly not. I fussed and worried over the tiniest things – really, it’s almost laughable. This is just a little hypocritical hindsight perspective commin’ atcha! Oh, and even though I suggest rolling with the punches, a good schedule will keep you from having to do that so much. I’m just sayin’!
D: Being a new mom is one thing, but a mom of multiples is quite another! What wise words do you have of a mother of quadruplets, 17-months into the job?!
J: Accept help from people you are comfortable with in the beginning. That said, you need to communicate how you do things (hand washing practices, feeding instructions, do you want them to pick up crying babies from their crib, or do you want them to let them self soothe? Signs around the house are great reminders for some of these things). They can’t read your mind and they aren’t familiar with dealing with preemies (RSV concerns, etc.). There is a tendency to just do it yourself because you want things done a particular way. I would encourage you to resist this urge. First of all, it’s probably okay if they don’t do things EXACTLY the way you would. Second, you will WEAR YOURSELF OUT if you do EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. I was blessed with friends and family who helped us out a great deal and once I learned to let go of the reigns some, I was actually much more productive and less stressed.
D: What do you find the most rewarding about being a mom?
J: Oh, of course the love and laughs are out of this world! But, more than that, I think it is such a privilege to be there for 4 some-bodies who really need me. They count on me, and that keeps me going. I love them so!
D: Your nomination mentioned that you are SUPER organized… how do you do it???
J: For some reason, I manage to come across as organized and calm to people. Always have. CRACKS ME UP! If only they REALLY knew! TRAIN WRECK! Okay, I’m not that bad, but I’m certainly not the most organized person you’ve ever met. In fact, I’ve had to improve on my old tendencies to see where the day takes me and it’s actually been really good for me. I’ve always admired organization, but couldn’t quite get there. My new life negates that things have to be somewhat mapped out each day. I suggest a schedule, but don’t flip out if you have to tweak it some. For example, we might not do everything at a precise time in a given day, but we do try to follow a general order to our day. That way, if something runs over a pinch or we have to sneak in music class or baby gym and nap’s an hour late, it isn’t a huge deal.
Outings are where I will pat my hubs and I on the back. We have a mental checklist of everything we need. We both know what’s on it and we double check each other to make sure we have what we need. Sure, we’ve left the house without snackies before – and, paid dearly, I might add! We chalk those snafus up to learning experience.
We also have the whole get them loaded, set up the stroller, and unloaded thing DOWN! In fact, I would like a little video of that. We either look really together, or people are laughing their tails off at us! I wonder…
For errands, I ALWAYS take help – usually my husband or mom. Could I do it on my own? Sure, but I don’t think adding stress to my day is in anyone’s best interest. The babies go with us for the bigger errands because, then, it’s worth setting up of the stroller and unloading them. But, if it’s just something quick, one of us dashes in while the other stokes the kids full of snacks and generally makes a fool of his/her self for their entertainment.
D: What three things must be in your purse at all times as a mom?
J: Lip gloss (wish I was kidding, but I find it really dresses up my uniform of pjs, yoga pants, and tee shirts), funds of some sort (cash, check, or charge are all acceptable, so long as I can get some gas or a cup of joe), and house keys (do not even want to be locked out with all 4 kiddos!).
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