Answering 48 Questions: Becoming First-time Parents To Quintuplets

We got asked a lot of questions about becoming new parents to quintuplets. Here is a list of timestamped questions we answer in this video. Enjoy and thank you for watching!
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:03 Quick Recap on Coming Home
00:03:49 Are any of the babies identical?
00:04:30 Do we have help?
00:06:22 Do we have paid help?
00:07:27 What are their names?
00:07:45 Do we ever call them the wrong names?
00:08:48 How did we come up with their names?
00:09:49 What week were they born?
00:10:31 What were their weights?
00:10:44 What are their weights today?
00:11:18 How long were the babies in the NICU?
00:11:40 A NICU nurse asked, what can NICU nurses do to make things better?
00:14:47 Do the babies have any long term health complications?
00:16:18 Was moving Phoenix and working with Dr. Elliot and St. Joseph's worth it?
00:18:00 How is Stephanie? Any Postpartum depression? How has healing been?
00:21:08 How are we doing?
00:23:27 What's a typical day look like for us? Morning & nighttime routine, etc.
00:26:56 Can we do a day in the life video?
00:27:28 How did we survive nights early on?
00:29:13 How did we get them to sleep through the night? Did we sleep-train?
00:31:32 What is our bottle prep system?
00:33:12 Are the babies exclusively breastfed, or do they get formula?
00:34:09 How much formula do we go through?
00:34:27 Who does each baby look most like in the family?
00:35:33 Do they have personalities?
00:37:54 How many redheads?
00:38:44 Favorite part of being parents?
00:39:31 How has our social life and relationships changed?
00:41:34 How did we meet?
00:44:09 How will we protect our marriage and prevent divorce?
00:48:54 How do we get anything done?
00:51:00 How can we stay patient and loving through the chaos?
00:51:35 Have we totally lost our cool yet?
00:52:45 Anything easier than expected? Anything more difficult than expected?
00:54:33 What fertility treatment did we pursue?
00:55:13 Any tips/advice for the waiting phase during infertility?
00:58:07 When and how did we find out about the genders?
00:59:42 How many diapers do we go through?
01:00:10 Do any of the babies have allergies?
01:00:39 How much crying is there?
01:01:46 What's on the babies' Christmas list?
01:02:28 Do we have any other kids?
01:03:10 Do we think we will have more kids?
01:04:17 How do we see God's presence the most these days?
01:06:28 Any specific prayer requests?

[@Goldie_F]

Every child in the world deserves parents like you two ❤❤

[@milkdud9309]

Those that pray together, stay together. Praise God you know the Lord, and are giving your children that foundation. Your parents must be so proud.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!

[@marthamickler3773]

How much eggs did they put in

[@allisonbright6126]

I love that they named the change in Harper’s personality! It’s easy to get caught up in “baby A is ____.” and say that until the end of time. It’s important to allow babies (and children) to change as they grow. Well done 🎉

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Agreed! Definitely don't want to throw labels on the too early

[@nicolleleck2283]

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me! Isn't it a blessing to know that you are a united front to help raise those precious babies?! Thank you for ministering to me by showing such a Godly example of how husbands and wives are to treat one another & thank you for sharing your lives with us all! ❤

[@coriannevlogs8231]

The joy of Christ shines through your both and it makes me so hopeful for my own future

[@Doreen_FaithL]

Both of you are great in front of the camera! I enjoy your videos 😊😊 The fact that you don’t feel overwhelmed speaks to your teamwork❤️

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!!

[@heatherprus5364]

It's great that you're managing well on your own. It says a lot about your routine and your ability to manage stress. I've seen a couple with one baby brought to their knees in tears and struggling to deal with the crying, feeding and lack of sleep. That was my sister!

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!

[@tanyataylor8823]

I just love watching you guys You are an inspiration

[@stephanieward5934]

Thank you for sharing your life update.

[@toddandtarahaynes7551]

I agree. Our granddaughter who was born the same day had the best NICU team. We were so blessed to be born in the same hospital with the best team! Your babies look great! Congratulations.

[@karenmccabe2371]

You two are so so amazing together in your faith, love and loyalty to your family! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@SherryMacoy-dk4zh]

This is truly spectacular. Your nervous systems don’t even seem ramped up. Great job

[@caseyface8585]

I just found your beautiful family tonight. Fellow Seattle-ish-ite here. Good call on the traffic alone!!

[@daleclark8872]

Love your podcast! Very informative and sweet. So glad your family is centered in Christ! He will bless your beautiful family as you live for Him! He will fill your home with Love, Peace and Joy! 🙏❤️🙏

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!

[@funnyfrog1522]

Most babies are cute but y’all’s are beautiful! ❤ I pray God continues to bless each one of you. 🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@Kera.S.]

Y'all have enlightened me in so many ways to the glory and goodness in the world ❣️🤗 THANK YOU 💙

[@victoriarockefeller5254]

I love the way you look at each other when you speak ❤

[@benburns5995]

Great Q & A session. Enjoyed hearing more about your lives, your worries of raising and supporting your Quintuplets.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!

[@wendymurdoch7369]

Our kids had twins 4 years ago and then they had another baby this past year. It has been a wonderful experience. Congratulations on this most exciting adventure. I will be watching with such undiluted pleasure.

[@daisyg5854]

You're babies are so cute! Can't wait to see more videos of them ☺️

[@michellesorenson1292]

Thank you guys, this is so beautiful to see.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you for watching!

[@ammyreyes1910]

I got teary love seeing your videos!! ❤️We went through infertility issues and have two miracle babies now I did cry. ❤

[@loripuryear9393]

The love for your babies and each other comes through loud and clear….awesome! It hit my heart hearing you say that church is even different….not quite paying attention to the sermon because your babies need/distract you….truly feel like that’s not a distraction as much as Gods plan all along and the smile on his face watching you love them and praise our God at the same time. Thank you for taking the time to share a part of your life….Merry Christmas♥

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Merry Christmas to you as well, and thank you for the kind words!

[@jessc6119]

Whoo I had two under 2 and I’ve definitely lost my cool lots of times. I’ll be praying for you guys, them all getting sick at the same time would be sooo hard! 😢❤

[@catherinemiller8262]

Really impressed with the formula mix video. Reasearching a problematic formula issue, better tummies, healthier, with mommy feeds really exciting for their development.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@donnakreye8339]

We benefited greatly from this family’s information/experience. We are now doing the same formula. The nutritional difference is incredible. Even the commercial goats milk formula is less quality then making it. I had noooooo idea it was even possible to make our own formula. It is a little trickier when traveling (sometimes we use Aussie Bubs for travel. The bottles are trickier to clean because they get “oily”

[@constanceglad32]

Guys, you are just awesome ❤🎉❤ You perfectly deserve this wonderful blessing 💖💖💖💖💖

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you! We love it!

[@patfillmore5658]

You can see God was and is with your family with all these no problems no complications etc.

[@elainerobinson988]

Merry Christmas you guys. You have a beautiful family ❤️

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Merry Christmas to you as well and thank you!

[@maryvonneadams9378]

You are both beautiful parents

[@nathaliefaucher8782]

Give birth to 5 healthy babies is just phenomenal… girl you rock 👏👏👏

[@WeAreTheFreels]

I agreed! -Graham

[@breyonnalowery9962]

I am encouraged by y'all! May the good Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@mountaingirl8124]

Jehovah Jireh...God is our provider. ❤️ He will supply all of your needs sweet family. You guys have a platform here and you are honoring God through it. We are a family of 11, 5 biological kiddos and 4 adopted (including a set of twins) and our youngest three were like having triplets because we adopted our son Josiah in June and went out to Colorado in October to adopt our twin daughters. My heart goes out to you two and you had two MORE than we did. It’s hard work, but the biggest BLESSING. My husband and I are still happily married (going on 23 years). Keep HUMOR as well as HUMILITY in your marriage with God as the center and you’ll do just fine. We also home educate/disciple them and having their whole heart has been KEY in fully enjoying our children through the teenage years. You are so blessed! Merry Christmas!!! Thank you for sharing your lives with us. The babies are beautiful and you are doing a great job!!! 🙌🏻❤️

[@SueEarl5281]

God bless you all! Merry Christmas!

[@WeAreTheFreels]

God bless you too and Merry Christmas!

[@applusthree8177]

I think the answers to these questions will be totally different in a year when they are walking and getting into stuff lol you guys are doing a great job!!!

[@janehartman6871]

😢 you make me tear me too! God bless…❤️

[@visual_honey]

Thank you so much for testifying of God's goodness! I just love how both of you are soo authentic and your love for God really shines!! ❤️ God bless!

[@WeAreTheFreels]

It'd be hard not to, in response to what He has done for us. Thank you for watching!

[@catworld8119]

Thank you for taking the time to answer so many questions in detail. Could you please put a name with each baby on the videos? Maybe just create an opener with each baby having their name in front of them so we can learn the girls by sight. I can pick out Fisher, but the girls confuse me still. I absolutely adore the names you chose.

[@bestanali6127]

I became first time mom to twins ❤ you are guys heros

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Congrats!

[@melissapadbury28]

Discipline = Freedom, okay Jocko! So true!! Kids are VERY humbling 🤍

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Ha! Yes. It's true though! Thank you for watching!

[@johnchaise2953]

You are all doing great 👍

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!

[@sallypeterson3356]

I’m hoping you aren’t saying that the reason you had babies because God gives you the desires of your heart. God gives us the desires of our hearts as long as it aligns with his plan for our life and brings Him the most glory and is for our good. Many Christians desire babies and are not able to have babies. Doesn’t mean God will withhold that blessing but may bring it through other avenues. God is a mystery we don’t always understand His ways they are higher than ours.

[@brendatuck4562]

Great job amen

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!

[@jcomas65708]

I am on my husband account and after 25 years of marriage the one piece of advice I will give to keep the relationship strong is be willing to fight for the marriage, marriage is hard and takes a lot of work be stubborn don’t quit

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Also thank the people who originally figured out how to save 27 week old premee babies

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Agreed! The hospital we went to is able to take care of babies born at 22 weeks! Crazy!

[@stephaniepribe1885]

You guys need a podcast for your longer/talk videos!!!!

[@michellesorenson1292]

YES! Shout out to CCC!!!!

[@WeAreTheFreels]

It was a huge part of my college experience. Loved it!

[@Thepoetrycookervideo]

"Do you wanna have quintuplets later?" 😂😂😂

[@sharonschmucker1684]

Have you considered installing a Delta glass rinser to assist with the bottle washing? There may be other brands, too. Seems like it might be helpful…

[@WeAreTheFreels]

That's a great idea! We will have to look into it

[@sandrabritz4063]

THERE IS PEACE IN KNOWING WHO HOLDS OUR TOMORROW👌MAY YOUR FUTURE BE EXCEPTIONALLY BLESSED💐

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Amen!

[@johnchaise2953]

Merry Christmas

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@mariaGarcia-mq4il]

love to see your videos they have brought me so much hope that the lord will bless me with another baby but this time he will let me keep with me here in the earth ❤. we need more content 😊but i can also understand u guys. thanks

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you! And yes, we plan on making more videos next year!

[@pattyson2786]

Hello again from Wilm, NC-love the Krispy Cream story! Did you graduate from UNCW

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Ha! It was fun! Hope life is good in Wilmington- we loved it there! Stephanie graduated, and I (Graham) chose to dropout and start a business so we could get married.

[@trishmiller3086]

May the Lord keep your marriage strong and May all the babies grow up to love Jesus too! ❤️

[@user-oc7tf7cv3f]

Hello ❤merry Christmas you guys.You have beautiful familiy 🙏🙏🙏👍👍👌👌👌❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@janehartman6871]

I was the oldest of 9 children and washing bottles was my least favorite chore. And the bottles continued until I was 19!

[@lulamamie8524]

What an awesome video ❤ God bless you both ALWAYS 🙏 Please no more questions people 😁😂😆 Let these tired 😴 parents rest 💤 Happy Holidays 🎄 🕎 🌱🙌🏻

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Haha! Thank you for watching!

[@catherineclark6498]

I loved bath time with each of my babies so I was wondering how you manage that with 5 babies? This video was well done and very informative. Hearing about your faith and trust in God is awesome too.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Bath time has been a challenge! We often keep saying "We'll do baths tomorrow!" Right now we are doing one full bath per week, and one quick wash once per week. Stephanie handles the bathing, and I change clothes/diapers, and weigh the babies each week. It's an assembly line for sure. We look forward to when they can sit up and we can bath them all together

[@paulinedevaney3028]

I feel your heart ❤️ God is so amazing and he gives us desires and fills our desires in so many different ways. I also had fertility treatment and only 1 pregnancy it was atopic pregnancy. But God and his mercies and grace gave us a foster baby to raise at 3 months old and he left at 20 years old .we now have 3 grandchildren and without Gods beautiful blessing we would not of experience it .we are you are so incredibly Blessed ❤️

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Wow! Thank you for watching!

[@rhondagreen135]

Love the Lord he’s pretty awesome! I’ll add you to my prayer list! I love their names, I have a 2 yo granddaughter named Eliana Marie.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Great name! Thank you for watching!

[@RomaMano]

Вы крутые!❤ Ребята, как вы умудрились родить пятерых детей? Супер!❤ всё, учу английский, чтоб понимать вас без перевода!😂

[@NZ73200]

Love it. If u don’t want to answer then just say Did u sell ur house before u moved to phoenix n now living with Steph parents do u want to get house eventually? If Steph gets pregnant again will there been any complications after carrying 5 babies?? Xx

[@Dagrdottir]

My brother Graham (the eldest of us all) was gifted with 4 sisters over the next 7 years ... only he doesn't see it that way, according to Mum with each delivery he became more and more desperate for a brother. A mistake was made and my father was informed that my sister (baby no. 4) was a boy...after many celebrations and my brother getting his toy cars out and preparing them ... (he was always very organised) the news was broken that his new baby brother had a part missing...ie he was in fact another sister. When I was born it almost broke him, yet another girl...I quickly grew into a tomboy though at which he exclaimed...oh well I guess she'll have to do lets go play soldiers!! lol

[@chouvener]

🙌🏻

[@WeAreTheFreels]

suh dude!

[@arielmcgillacuddy6640]

God bless you and your beautiful family. I love kids too!

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!

[@07lige]

About the complication question I would add it’s God to dads answer

[@lisamelton5273]

To Bless to Stress. Amen

[@elainerobinson988]

Will you have enough bedrooms when they get older or will you have to move?

[@carashea4207]

Fisher is my daughters middle name she is 9, Junie Fisher.. i let dad name both of mine cuz i didnt want the pressure lol.. awesome video!

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Beautiful name!

[@thecatcat4537]

Is there a higher chance that they may develop any disabilities when they get older? I know with preemies and especially high-order multiples the chances are largely increased for learning difficulties, vision/hearing problems etc.

[@KathyAusburn]

It has been easy for now but when a few of them get sick at the same time it will get hard. Just hang on and know this too shall pass. I have 3 children and them getting the chicken pox back to back was rough. Strep went through and kept coming back until we had tonsils out. Those days just get crazy but know that you can handle this! 😊

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Agreed! We know we got some tough days ahead but it will be worth it!

[@csandst1]

How do you keep up with cleaning and laundry?

[@WeAreTheFreels]

It's nonstop! The most difficult part is folding and putting clean clothes after...

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

i have 4 kids and I frequently have to cycle through all the names till I find it.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

it happens!

[@marthamickler3773]

Do you have a po. Boxs

[@suechilders6832]

He’s GOD center of it all Christmas Blessings Love 😊Your videos ❤

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Thank you!

[@sallypeterson3356]

You are selfless. With a daddy who loves the kids as much as you do will keep your marriage. You always protect your wife that’s a God thing!!

[@bearclaire]

Did you wait for all the babies to be there and then see and feel which Baby fitted which name best. Or did you already decide before birth with baby would get which name

[@TheTweetybird1122]

I want to know that too

[@catlove111]

So did you have morning sickness

[@margaretlisboa563]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️💙

[@brittanymiskell9]

My 2 year old still wakes in the night sometimes😂. What am I doing wrong?

[@christinerowland3785]

What about the disposable plastic sleeve for the bottles. Are they still making them? You throw the sleave away after use . You just wash the nipples

[@WeAreTheFreels]

That's a great idea!

[@melissapadbury28]

I bet it was Betsy! 🤍

[@gailkaasa1712]

I don’t see any red hair either never did but of course the boy gets all the hair girls are usually bald or have peach fuzz when they’re born

[@SherryMacoy-dk4zh]

Haha what storms???!

[@gailkaasa1712]

You’re saying the help is there if and when you need it

[@123dnel]

I love your story. I have a personal relationship with Christ and had to wait on him for my infertility. I have 3 daughters and I am a grandma now. But I know that the Lord sometimes has other plans. My niece has wanted a child for so many years. They did do IVF 4 times. But it has never worked. Now her endometriosis is so severe and she is older, so unless the Lord does a miracle she may never have a child. Not that God ever makes mistakes but he does bless people other ways.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

So sorry for your niece! God does some pretty amazing miracles!

[@amberjoy533]

I know it isn't for everyone, but adoption is a beautiful thing! My sister and her husband adopted twins almost 4 years ago. I honestly don't think about it that much. They are just part of our family! They have an awesome relationship with the birth mom which I know is rare. I'm so happy for them. They went through infertility and miscarriages. It's such a blessing that they get to be parents now!

[@standup2982]

I've got five children and I go through their names, and all of the dog's names before I get to the right child 😂

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Ha! It happens!

[@standup2982]

@@WeAreTheFreels all the time 😂

[@hp-cs7mx]

Jack Tom Bill Fred Raymond is how my father remembers being called inside at the end of the day - he was Raymond and NEVER called first!

[@standup2982]

@@hp-cs7mx sounds about right 😂😂😂

[@maryclark8661]

Why aren’t you using bottles with disposable liners?

[@donnakreye8339]

Not to answer for them, but we use the same homemade formula and you have to get a portion of formula extremely hot. We were lucky and our infant (same age as the quints) easily took an ordinary cheapie Walmart bottle. So we bought about 30. We have to wash them in extreme hot water as they get an oily film. We usually boil water and soak in Dawn degreaser hand soap. We triple rinse.

[@karenholt6280]

I know this is just my opinion but more videos that are shorter than 10 minutes makes it easier to keep up. Taking time to watch an hour long video is hard. Good luck with everything. Cute family.

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Agreed! We will be making a lot of changes going into 2024, still playing a little catch up. We had so many questions we wanted to answer. Thank you for watching!

[@zabavnaya-xt8tb]

What are the genders of babies, will you send them to separate schools?

[@WeAreTheFreels]

4 girls and one boy! We plan to homeschool our children

[@tmnprlsaicntr]

The girls do look identical

[@biahopie]

Uh! 😅😂 “All clear”??! 💔😭 But honestly, as a redhead: I don’t fault you 😏😆

[@rosethornbury1221]

Do you feel comfortable sharing the type of work Graham does?

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Hey! Graham here... I do online marketing for local businesses. Mainly Facebook advertising and website creation

[@khadijasoussia3711]

👍👍👍👍👍🤲🤲👃👃👃👈👌👌💓

[@deborahnaturinda7267]

How much Folic acid did you take before conception and after?

[@missbedford]

What are you looking forward to most when they are abit older? Also Can you imagine having five teenagers in your house at once and four of them girls?

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Such a good question! So much! I'm really excited to see what they become passionate about, and support them along the way

[@erickaotterman5957]

@@WeAreTheFreels 💕💕💕

[@standup2982]

​@@erickaotterman5957I have five children spaced out about three years between each one. I'm in my 17th year of continuous puberty. As one is growing out of it the next is starting. I need some sort of medal at the very least 😂

[@Autobahn4537]

Freedom!!!

[@wendymorales5299]

What IVF place did you go to in Seattle was

[@WeAreTheFreels]

Hey! We are choosing not to disclose that information as we know it could negatively impact them. We also didn’t do IVF, but IUI.

[@wendymorales5299]

@@WeAreTheFreels I just want to talk to you because I’m trying to find out which one is good because I want to pay it because I have questions and I’m trying to see which one is good because I have tube blocks

[@dearleah7299]

@@wendymorales5299your comment doesn’t make sense

[@NaeniaNightingale]

@@wendymorales5299 Do your own research, you sound like a creep

[@lauradoyle1111]

​@@WeAreTheFreelswhat is IUI?

[@trsword85]

Please Hindi video

[@donnakreye8339]

Anyone who is ignorant enough make a judgment on propping bottles….yeah I don’t even need to say anything further.

[@EcoAsmr-iq4is]

Go pack?🐺

[@elenajphd5]

How many embryos you did implant? I missed that part. You never how many you did, you only say you did not do five