The unmatched happiness of having a new addition into the family is well known; the happiness doubles and triples if you’re having twins or triplets. Dive into the story of Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey, whose lives turned upside down during a regular visit to the doctor. While under treatment with ovulation-stimulating Metrodin for infertility, their doctor gave them the good news that Bobbi was indeed pregnant. They were going to have seven babies all at once. Life always has different things planned for us; just as Bobbi and McCaughey only wanted one more kid, they were graced with seven beautiful ones. Delve deeper into their lives before the delivery and after the delivery. You do not want to scroll past this story.

Life-changing Moment

A routine checkup at the fertility doctor became a life-changing moment for Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey. The couple had been trying to get pregnant again for quite some time and had to get fertility treatment to boost the conception process. The couple got their ultrasound done when the doctor gave them the news that took away the floor from beneath their feet. Kenny and Bobbi thought they heard the doctor wrong, so when they asked again, the doctor confirmed the cathartic news that the couple was pregnant with not one, not two, not three but seven kids!!! They could not believe their own eyes. They were looking at the seven tiny little embryos growing inside Bobbi’s womb on the ultrasound screen.

 It took more than a moment for them to come to terms with what was happening. Anybody in their shoes would have had the same reaction. After the initial shock, they faced the reality of what was happening. Nobody guessed how their life was going to turn upside down in the upcoming months. They were not prepared for having seven kids at once. However, a binding decision had to be made, something that put the septuplets and Bobbi’s life in grave danger.

The Long Wait

As the pregnancy progressed, the couple got more and more butterflies in their stomachs. The couple had been through their fair share of a worrisome pregnancy with their firstborn kid Mikayla. They had a definite right to be apprehensive while carrying seven buns in the oven. This pregnancy made Bobbi more anxious due to her belly’s rapidly growing size; she knew that she could never have the same body figure ever again. This changed when she realized that her body was growing stronger every day. She could see and feel the changes her body was going through to accommodate her babies.

There was no end to what her body would do for those kids. She was surprised at her own strength and resilience. She grew so big that her tummy would touch her knees when she would take a seat. As Bobbi dealt with the physical pains, Kenny had to go through the stress of financials. Having and raising seven kids is not free. They prayed day in and day out for guidance. The couple felt lost in regards to what the future looked like for them. Soon they had to answer the doctor’s pressing question, which could have adverse effects.

Difficult Pregnancy

It is no surprise that Kenny and Bobbi were going to have a tough time in this pregnancy. The rare pregnancy case led doctors to observe Bobbi’s condition strictly. As their duty, doctors had to educate the couple on all the possible options to continue with the pregnancy. One of the options was “selective reduction,” in which they could terminate the kids that didn’t have a high probability for survival. Such a decision is hard for every parent, and probably no parent would ever like to take such a decision.

  Media had started covering this rare happening, which meant that every other person started to voice their two cents on what to do about their situation. However, the couple followed their hearts, ignored everyone else, and ended up taking a brave decision that left people flabbergasted. Kenny and Bobbi were distraught by the idea of selective reduction. They thought good and hard about all the medical risks they would encounter. At the time of the decision, they had left everything up to God. Without giving it another thought, the couple had made their decision to keep all the seven babies. A mother’s love knows no bounds, which was the reason behind Bobbi’s dangerous decision.

Criticism and Hate

The decision to keep all the seven babies did not sit well with many people. Ever since the couple’s news of declining selective reduction became public, the couple became a victim of hate and backlash. People would send letters to criticize their decision, saying all types of vile things. People blamed the couple for being inconsiderate of the kids and wasting resources on such a big family. In between all the hate, some people provided the support that the couple needed. They showered the couple with motivation, along with loving words, to make the couple feel better. Soon Bobbi and Kenny were given another surprise that proved kindness is not dead. The couple and their story became a hot topic in the country; what happened next was something they never expected.

The couple began to receive an outlandish amount of donations, making them shocked at the love people showed them. They could now overcome the cost of hospital bills and other necessary expenses. They even received gifts of a year’s worth of diapers plus macaroni and cheese. Many people even offered to babysit the kids. The most shocking donations they received were of a whole van and a five thousand feet villa.

Emergency Delivery

Time passed, and the McCaughey’s due date was around the corner. They had frequent checkups with the doctor, where they discussed how the delivery process would take place along with the other procedures they need to follow. The couple’s anxiousness increased as the due date got closer. Things were going smoothly until, in the 28th week, Bobbi felt different. She spent two weeks in discomfort, and on the 19th of November, she was at the hospital’s emergency room waiting for the doctor to take her into labor.

In such high-risk pregnancy, they had no room for error. There were still nine weeks left to her actual due date when Bobbi found herself in the labor room surrounded by forty doctors who were there to be a part of such a miraculous moment.  The delivery was as smooth as ever, without any chaotic hurdles. This came as a surprise to all the people present in the room and outside the room. All seven babies were born in a total of six minutes. However, the delivery was done through a c-section; it was an emotional sight for everyone in the room. The upcoming few hours were the most crucial and terrifying of all. The babies’ survival was at risk.

Seven New Additions to the Family

The McCaughey’s successfully brought three beautiful girls and four handsome boys into the world. It was time to give names to the babies. The couple had already decided on the names. They named the babies Kenny Jr., Alexis, Kelsey, Brandon, Nathan, Natalie, and Joel. The kids’ weight and size were lower than the average American baby. They belonged in the range of 2lbs 5 oz and 3lbs 4 oz. They were kept in intensive care, with strict monitoring due to premature birth. They had a long and challenging journey ahead of them in the hospital. It would take months before they could be discharged, approximately three months. The babies could finally come home. 

The McCaughey’s were excited to start their new life together with their eight kids. Despite the problem-free birth, Nathan and Alexis had a congenital disability. They had Cerebral Palsy. As they grew older, it became a hurdle for them to walk without support. Other than that, all seven infants were completely healthy.

National Miracle

Doctors had their concerns regarding whether all the babies would survive birth. However, they made it out alive and even crossed infancy unhurt. It was a miracle in the world’s eyes. They gained so much popularity that they got to meet some of the most influential people in the world. The septuplets had become overnight stars. Magazines like Times and Newsweek featured the septuplets on the cover page of their new issues. The most exciting part? Bill Clinton, the United States president, gave the couple a call himself to bid congratulations. They even had the once in a lifetime chance to meet George Washington Bush. They had their fair share of fame as they were called for an interview on Oprah.

Kenny and Bobbi were having a blast with the kids; it was their life-long dream to have such a sull house. However, they were using 52 diapers daily. That is a lot of diapers. Moreover, the babies were drinking bottled milk, and that also forty-two bottles in a day. It is hard for us to even imagine how tough it was for the McCaughey family to take care of so many babies altogether. They were doing their best.

Expensive Groceries

Being a family of ten people is not cheap; they had to be extremely cautious about finances. The donations were not enough forever, so they now had to take action accordingly. The kids would go through the food like candy, so the couple, in order to save more, began buying food in bulk to not go overboard with the expenses. This strategy saved them a lot of money; with practice, they got to spend only 300 dollars on food and groceries. An average American family of four people usually spends that much money monthly on groceries. The couple was smart enough to overcome such hurdles in the future. Raising eight kids was not an easy task; actually, it was the most challenging thing the parents had ever done.

They required help from people, and about thirty-five people volunteered to give Kenny and Bobbi a break during the infancy period. They shared the responsibilities of cleaning, cooking, and running errands. The family grew a small vegetable garden in their backyard to help with the finances. Even a year later, people were just as interested in the story of the world’s first septuplets, leading the McCaughey’s to take another hard decision.

Attention From the Outside World

Due to the media’s significant involvement in their lives, the kids would get noticed by people everywhere. People would interrupt their family outings for pictures or talk. This was getting really intrusive for the family, so they had to decide to stop going to any further interviews. Other families who had many kids became reality stars. The McCaughey family didn’t want to get any more attention from the media. The parents were also advised by the Dionne sisters not to turn their kid’s life miserable by making them celebrities. So the couple decided to live a life full of privacy with some minor exceptions. They did not want their kids to continually be in the spotlight or face the paparazzi.

They reached a compromise with the media people, where they allowed for a Dateline birthday special to be aired every year. People could get a short glimpse into the life of the septuplets. Now the public was happy, and their kids were protected from unwanted attention. Some years further into the septuplets’ life, the world got some more fantastic news from the family.

The Documentary

The McCaughey house was never quiet or empty. There was always something to do, something to play, or something to solve. In 2010 on their thirteenth birthday, they came out with the idea of making a documentary that showed the roller coaster life of the septuplets. They wanted the world to know how they have lived all these years. Produced by TLC productions and hosted by Ann curry, the documentary came out a month after their birthday. They named the documentary “Americas Septuplets, Turn 13.” Puberty was inching closer for the septuplets; their world was about to change. The parents were going to have a hard time. Well, seven times harder. Alexis and Nathan didn’t only have to deal with puberty but also with Cerebral Palsy. They didn’t let it bring them down.

They did everything with the help of a walker. Nathan took matters into his own hand, and with his will power, he was able to teach himself to walk. He is progressing every day. They have the unconditional love of their parents and siblings, who are there for Alexis and Nathan every step of the way. Alexis aspires to become a role model for other girls.

Winning the Pageant and Splitting Up:

Alexis McCaughey didn’t let cerebral palsy make her life miserable. Instead, she used it to empower herself from within and started celebrating everything that life had to offer. She started participating in beauty pageant for children with special needs and her family, like always, had her back. In 2013, she won the Teen Miss Dream Made True content, held in Carroll, Iowa. Alexis also graduated with flying colors as she was in the top 15% of her high-school class. While Alexis was bravely facing the world and creating waves, the septuplets had their own fair share of challenges to handle. They were homeschooled from the time they were pre-schoolers. Bobbi used to teach her offspring in the kitchen, which later became their very own classroom. The seven kids reached their grade school years.

That’s when they split up for the first time since their birth. After completing their kindergarten, the septuplets were placed in different classes, where they developed individual personalities and made new friends. Though they remained the famous septuplets, gradually, they were becoming more and more independent. Time went by quickly, and there came a phase in life when they all were on their own. 

Going to High School and Developing Independently:

Like other kids their age, the septuplets also had to enroll in a high school during their teens. In 2012, they started attending the Carlisle High School, Carlisle, Iowa. Every day the troupe went to school together. Seven backpacks and seven lunched had to be packed for them, and they went by bus. They all were ready for their teenage. However, high-school is always a great challenge for everyone, and it wasn’t any different for the McCaugheys. Luckily, they had each other’s support. Siblings could play a fundamental part in making your life worthwhile and comfortable. Therefore, the McCaugheys could spend those difficult years quite conveniently. As for the teachers, they sometimes struggled to remember their names; after all, there were seven of them. 

From early on, their parents knew that each child had a different personality and traits. While the McCaughey septuplets didn’t mind being grouped, but each also valued their individualism. It was always tricky for the parents to work out the differences between their personalities. Alexis was the studious one, while Kenny Jr. was the class clown. Brandon and Kelsey loved to make everyone laugh and were great at athletics. Brandon, however, was a bit stubborn and fearless among the septuplets. While they all had their separate hobbies to keep them busy, there was something that they all did together .. always.

Bonding at the School Band

The McCaughey septuplets were so good at making music that they could easily have made up their own band, but they preferred their school band. Despite having diverse interests, including choir, cross country, speech contests, and soccer, the one thing that brought them all together and was common between them was music. They were frequently seen playing music at halftime events of school sports games. A major part of their adolescent years was spent away from the public eye, but certain milestones even the media couldn’t stay away from. McCaughey family was loved so much by everyone that several media persons used to visit the family occasionally.

One such milestone was achieved when the septuplets turned 16. At this age, almost every teen has just one thing on his or her mind, driving, and the McCaughey septuplets weren’t any different. A significant hurdle was that for their parents, buying the septuplets seven cars, as it would be for any parent. Hence, after their kids reached the driving age, Kenny suggested that they get jobs and pay for their cars. It was an excellent idea as the workforce would get seven young and energetic new employees eagerly looking to turn their dreams into reality. The septuplets were going places, and their popularity was increasing like always. But, how were their parents Kenny and Bobbi, dealing with it all. 

Life at Home:

While the septuplets were preparing themselves for adulthood and experiencing all the teenage phases, Bobbi and Kenny were doing their best to keep their family thriving and tightly knit together. They held firm against all odds and could overcome struggles to keep their family together. They were proud of their kids’ achievements and resilience. Their kids were active and progressing towards a bright future, making them happy and content. They felt that their hard work was paying off. However, despite that they adored their history-making septuplets, their eldest child always remained their main priority.

The public wanted to know what the oldest offspring of the McCaugheys was up to, although the septuplets continuously made headlines whenever they reached a new milestone. Mikayla, like her other siblings, also found her rightful place in life. She helped her parents during all those years, and this lifestyle instilled valuable virtues like loving her family and working hard in her. She attended Des Moines Area Community College and Arizona State University and got married after finishing studies. Even after becoming a mother, she stayed close to her siblings, gearing up for adulthood.

Exploring New Directions:

The septuplets turned 18 on 19 November 2015. They were about to graduate from High School, and it was time to decide about their future. Like any parent, Kenny and Bobbi found it challenging to deal with the situation that their babies were not adults and ready to take on practical life. They had bittersweet feelings when in May 2016, the world’s first surviving septuplets graduated from high school. On that occasion, Bobbi noted that:

“It’s sad to see things end, but there will be lots of firsts coming.”

And that was true, as they were preparing to forger their own directions for the future and were ready to explore surprising new paths. The first new step they would need to take is entering college. When the septuplets were born, the family received a generous offer of free college education for the seven siblings at different universities. The Hannibal-LaGrange University, Missouri, made the offer while the State of Iowa promised scholarships at any state university they wanted to study in. The McCaugheys were surprised that even after all those years, these universities’ offers were still standing. They gracefully accepted full-ride scholarships. Nathan, Natalie, Joel, and Kelsey decided to study at Hannibal-LaGrange University, Alexis and Kenny Jr. decided to pursue further education at Des Moines Area Community College. Brandon, however, chose an entirely different path for himself.

Achieving Dreams and Materializing Goals:

Brandon was the only one among the seven siblings who decided to join the military instead of attending college. Brandon was interested in the military from a very young age as he liked to get all things related to the military. No one at home expected that he was so passionate about the military that he would want to join it right after high school. Brandon was the most active and brave among them; he never shied away from anything and stayed firm to his commitments. After years of training, the day arrived when Brandon made his family proud- the day when he became a sharpshooting US Army Ranger.

Other siblings were going great, as well. Despite their busy lives, none was entirely distant from others. They were successfully pursuing their individual lives and doing things they wanted to do, but this didn’t affect their bonding. Time went by, and then came the day when all the kids had achieved something to make their parents proud. Kenny Jr. started a carpentry business, Alexis made a career in early childhood education, and others also went on their chosen paths in life. So, what were the feelings of McCaugheys seeing their kids grown up as adults and going their separate ways?

Family Ties:

The septuplets had lived in such a close-knit family and were accustomed to the joint family lifestyle so much that everyone wanted to know how they were faring after parting ways to achieve their individual goals. They all missed each other, there’s no question about it, but they also wanted to explore new paths and see what life has in store for them. The sisters often met up and made sure that they stayed in touch with each other. They understood that their lives were different from others and that they were extraordinary. Looking back, they felt that their upbringing was also unique. Their birth was reported worldwide, and many were awestruck when they were born as they could survive. Now that they were in their 20s, looking back at their childhood and their parents’ difficulties in bringing them up made them emotional.

They were genuinely grateful for the family they had and left no stone upturned in ensuring that their parents knew how they felt. Speaking to Today, Kenny Jr. said:  “You’re never alone. There’s always someone to talk to and hang out with. That’s what I think is best.” Kelsey shared the same sentiments: “I don’t think there’s a worst part. I’ve enjoyed it all.” 

Starting Families:

The septuplets were born at home at the same time; therefore, it was natural for people to speculate about when they will have children. What would they prefer, a home setting or a hospital? Would they want to have a large family like theirs or not? The answer is that they didn’t want to have more than one child. It is understandable nowadays that people do not want more children as they cannot give them their rightful share of attention given their utterly busy lives. 

Their parents were also enjoying their privacy while their kids were busy exploring their freedoms. The world-famous McCaughey septuplets were now young adults eager to carve their own path. While Kenny, the family’s patriarch, was thinking about buying a motorcycle and traveling around the country. Kenny and Bobbi had made many such plans earlier in their married life, but they dedicated their lives to their seven offspring and all these plans took a backseat, until now. However, they had all the time in the world now to make their dreams a reality as they no more had the responsibility of looking after their kids at home. Their kids didn’t need them anymore, so it was time to enjoy life and fulfill their hidden desires.

Adjusting to the Empty Nest:

The McCaughey parents were so accustomed to tending to the needs of their eight offspring that they totally forgot about their desires and aspirations. But now, things were different as all their kids, including Mikayla, had moved out. The McCaugheys were trying to adjust to the new life. They also needed a drastic change to keep themselves busy. They had so much free time now, but they didn’t know what to do with it. However, they felt that life had become a lot easier now; their average cost of living was going down, and they didn’t need to keep their kitchen heavily stocked to feed their eight kids. 

They were worried about their expansive family house, which looked like an empty nest now. It was a 5,000 square-meter house with seven bedrooms and five bathrooms. They received it from the Clark Company as a donation around two decades ago. In February 2018, Bobbi and Kenny decided that they needed to downsize. The house was huge, and they didn’t need such a big house anymore.

Grandparents

Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey are now grandparents to three little kiddies. In 2017, the septuplets became aunts and uncles when Mikayla (first born but not part of the septuplets) gave birth to a son after getting married in 2015. Natalie Sue (3rd of the septuplets) was the first of the septuplets to get married, in May 2019. Brandon James (6th of the septuplets) also got married in August 2019.

 “As our kids are leaving the nest, it seems to be the right time to start a new chapter. We have been blessed to receive such a wonderful gift, and nothing would please us more than the idea of our home being used as a place of refuge to others in need,” said Bobbi McCaughey after announcing that they had sold their home to an Iowa-based non-profit Ruth Harbor.

 “It’s a pretty good size house that met our needs pretty well. We thought we would pass that down to someone else who could use it,” Kenny said. 

Source: Today.com; http://www.today.com/parents/worlds-first-set-surviving-septuplets-turn-18-see-mccaughey-family-t44381; https://www.today.com/news/mccaughey-septuplets-turn-21-here-s-how-they-re-celebrating-t142906