The couple from County Limerick, Ireland, spent four years trying to have children and tragically suffered four miscarriages. Grace and James Slattery had experienced such heartache with each miscarriage that they decided not to pursue IVF treatment and gave up on their dream of having a baby together.
Then, incredibly, the couple received the news that Grace had become pregnant naturally. What followed was even more shocking: she was pregnant with quadruplets. Doctors said that the story was truly a miracle, as the chances of conceiving quadruplets naturally are around one in 10,000.
Grace said, “We call them our fantastic four. We can’t believe our babies are already seven months old. The babies are our miracles, we are blessed. Just when we thought we couldn’t take it anymore and were ready to give up, we received the best news of all. I really want to encourage other women to keep trying because if we had given up, we wouldn’t have the babies we have now.” The couple still remembers how they had almost lost hope of having the family they had always dreamed of. Even when they were told she was pregnant, they remained cynical due to the four previous miscarriages they had suffered.
When we had the first scan of the babies, we thought we would lose another baby. But we received incredible news that we were definitely fine, everything was fine, and we were actually having quadruplets. We left with mixed emotions as we were essentially told not to hold our breath, as quadruplets generally don’t survive.” Fortunately, the babies were eventually born the day before Mrs. Slattery had a C-section at 32 weeks and six days. Amelia Helen was the heaviest at 4 pounds and 3 ounces, and Mollie Rose was the smallest weighing 2 pounds and 15 ounces.
Grace said, “They have definitely grown a lot in the past two years. It’s great to see all their individual personalities shine through. Amelia is a fighter, Mollie is the mom of the group, Lily-Grace is very smart, while Lucas loves doing boy stuff. Luckily, they all sleep through the night now. It got really tough at one point, so when they were 19 months old, we hired a sleep coach. James is amazing too; we call him the ‘quad father.’ He works full-time but still manages to help me with the kids before leaving for work and when he comes home. The next big challenge is potty training; that’s going to be fun. We’re very happy that our babies have survived. Parenting is not easy, especially when you have four, it’s a very tough job, but every second is worth it.”
She added, “Everything will be just as good as they learn new things and get faster. I have to keep my eyes on them at all times, and we’ve had to make the house completely baby-proof. Our living room is now a playroom; we had to put away the sofas, and the coffee table units are gone. Instead, it’s filled with a big playpen, soft mats, and toys that are really safe, so if I need to run upstairs or use the bathroom, I know they’ll be fine for a minute.
No day is the same, and from the moment they wake up, everything happens until they go to bed again. The quads get along well and love each other; they communicate very well and almost have their own language. They are good at sharing and working as a team; if they want to do something, they’ll work together. Of course, they also fight a lot; I often catch them pushing or pulling each other’s hair, and there’s always someone having a tantrum, but fortunately, it’s usually not at the same time. Seeing the quads reach each milestone is very rewarding; they are our fantastic four, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Quadruplets, the Slattery family has experienced both the joys and challenges that come with raising four children. Grace continues to share their journey, saying, “Every day, they are growing and changing. It’s amazing to witness their individual personalities developing. We have to stay organized and vigilant to ensure their safety and keep up with their energy. Our home has truly transformed to accommodate their needs, and we’ve embraced the chaos with open arms.”
Grace expresses gratitude for the support they have received and acknowledges the importance of celebrating each milestone. She says, “We’re incredibly grateful for the love and assistance we’ve received from our extended family and friends. Their encouragement and understanding have made a significant difference in our lives. We celebrate every achievement, whether it’s a first step, a new word, or a playful sibling interaction. These moments make all the hard work worthwhile.”
Despite the inevitable challenges that come with raising quadruplets, Grace and James remain committed to providing a nurturing environment for their children. Grace concludes, “We know that our journey is unique, and there will be obstacles along the way. But our love for our children is immeasurable, and we cherish every moment we spend together as a family. They are our little miracles, and we feel incredibly blessed to be their parents.”
The Slattery family’s story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating resilience, hope, and the power of love in overcoming adversity.
