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What happens when a bunch of women who have never met in person get together for a
weekend of fun?

Eight mothers of triplets and quads got together for a weekend of fun and fellowship, and to meet
in person for the very first time. We met in Minnesota over the weekend of September 30 –
October 2, 2005. Through our Yahoo! group, Triplets-Quads Summer 2002, we have been
sharing our lives as mothers of HOM since some of us first found out “how many” little beating
hearts were growing inside us. Our babies were born during the summer months of 2002, only 3
short years ago, but we found when we got together that it was as though we have known each
other all our lives.

We talked into the wee hours of the morning, just as we did when we were young girls at a
slumber party. We shared stories about our children and our lives before HOM. We shared trivia
about our email conversations and discussed important issues such as which way the toilet
paper roll must hang. We marveled at who carried her babies the longest, who had the longest
hospital stay, and whose babies had the highest total birth weight. We found that most of us
have had an impressive stroller “arsenal” with 10 being the most owned at any one time. We
shared strategies for making it through the stage, the day, and sometimes the next moment.
Most importantly, we all caught a major shopping buzz by discovering Old Navy overalls at the
outlet for under $2 a pair.

One question that was posed to the entire group before our gathering was “What one piece of
advice would you give to new and expectant families of HOM?” Following is the collective wisdom
of a few “veteran” moms who have survived, and thrived, as mothers of 3 year old Supertwins.

•        These are the easy days, it only gets harder……enjoy those 2/3 naps a   day!!!!
•        Accept the help that is offered
•        Take any help offered, and get as much sleep as you can, don't worry about cleaning the
house. Enjoy every moment, it goes by so fast!
•        Take lots of pictures, especially video - make sure you're in them.
•        It's all a phase and you will get through it.
•        Take one day at a time and truly enjoy it - it goes WAY too fast.
•        RELAX- remember this is fun and you are very, very blessed.
•        Sleep when you can; take any help offered.
•        Don't try to anticipate things, just take it one day (or one minute!) at a time - and do lots of
praying! And leave the room or sing when you are about to lose it.
•        Every thing is temporary. Plan ahead but take each day (or moment) at a time.
•        It’s completely normal to be depressed. It is hormonal and it is not a bad thing to go on an
anti-depressant.
And the number one piece of advice for new HOM families…..
•        Find a group of other HOM moms to share this experience

After meeting my “imaginary friends” for the first time, I’m certain that we will be sharing our lives
even as our children grow into young ladies and gentlemen. We can agree and disagree on so
many topics, yet there seems to be a feeling of respect and admiration among us that you don’t
find just anywhere. We are 30 women from across the country, with various parenting styles,
religious beliefs, and approaches to life. We have found that many of us have so much in
common and so little in common at the same time. Some of us seemed to be living parallel
lives; others shocked us with their exploits during their teen and college years. After meeting the
beautiful children of the three MN moms that hosted our gathering, we are all convinced that our
own children are normal 3 year olds- at least normal 3 year old multiples. We do share a lot of
personal information in our postings to the email group, but to share it in person brings a whole
new dimension to our relationships. I can “hear” their voices now when I read their emails and I
see their faces clearly in my mind. One of our members posted after our weekend that it was a
true sisterhood.   I couldn’t agree more.

I look forward to meeting, for the first time, more of my dearest friends when we gather in
Columbus, OH in 2006.