One year, four babies and a 'Village' of love: Edmonton quadruplets' family grateful for outpouring of support
Last year, Tara and Tommy Watson welcomed four precious babies into the world and on Thursday at the Laurier Heights Community League, they celebrated the quadruplets' (two boys, two girls) first birthday in front of their 'village' of supporters of more than 100 people.
Friends. Family. Friends of friends. Even some strangers, who've now become friends, have all teamed up to help the Watson family after the quadruplets arrived on July 8, last year.
After giving birth to their daughter Emmy Lou in 2022, they're now parents of five under the age of three.
'It's been really special, and something very humbling for all of us,' said Stephanie Perry, a neighbour and family friend of 11 years, who lives down the street from the Watsons.
'Everyone at this party today is the embodiment of people who took a look around to see what needs to be done and step in and do it.'
From going on clothing and diaper drives and helping with home renovations before the quadruplets were born, to the early stages of changing 50 diapers a day, to now seeing all four babies celebrate their first birthday — it's been an incredible ride.
The Watsons' 'village' has done everything they can to help lighten the load and make the chaotic days of taking care of four babies just a little less chaotic.
'Because I live so close, originally I was put on SOS duty to help with emergency moments. If someone cancelled or there was a snowstorm and someone couldn't make it, I stepped in to help. But now I'm doing Monday afternoon shifts and Wednesdays,' said Perry.
'A lot of us that are in the helper group are moms who have been through (parenting) already, and a lot of us have older children. Being able to see these little ones become who they are from the very beginning, is so special.'
Heather Rootsaert recruited her 17-year-old and 14-year-old daughters to help, and they're known as the 'Thursday-Saturday crew.'
'To see it and be a part of it, it's absolutely unbelievable. It's awe-inspiring,' said Rootsaert, who's known Tara for 13 years.
'Many of us have formed a special bond through this experience. There have been amazing moments and there have been some trying times, and some of us have to go over there at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. to help out, but everyone rallies.'
If you were to poll members of the 'village' and the Watsons, Max is likely to be the first to walk. Theo is the fastest crawler. Sydney loves books, and Kenna says 'No' the most.
While they may be quadruplets, their personalities are quite different, as seen in their reactions to four flaming birthday cakes, as everyone belted out Happy Birthday to them at the party.
Max cried. Theo was very hesitant. Kenna wasn't sure about all the commotion, while Sydney couldn't wait to dig in and start eating her individual birthday cake.
'You could assume they would do a lot of things at the same time, and hit their milestones together, but it's such a perfect acknowledgment that every baby is so different. They're going to do things on their own time,' said Tara.
'We get to see it every day. We get to see who's crawling first, who got their first tooth. You might think they're so similar, but we're finding they're even more different than they are similar.'
The Watsons said this year has had its share of challenges, but it's also been filled with many blessings and surprises. As parents, you're always forced to adapt — sometimes on the fly. But imagine going through an absolutely life-changing experience of raising quadruplets.
This year, they've welcomed roughly 100 people into their home, who signed up wanting to help. That can't be easy.
'They're doing amazing,' said Perry.
'Take the stress of becoming a parent, whether it's your first time or not. It's not just multiplied by four, it's multiplied by a thousand. The joys are that much bigger, but the catastrophic thinking can be so much bigger.
'It takes a special vulnerability to open yourself up and ask for help the way they have, and to open your home to a steady flow of people all the time. Their lives have really opened up in a beautiful way, because they've been willing to be so open.'
While the Watsons celebrated Max, Theo, Sydney and Kenna's milestone first birthday in a big way, it was also a way for them to recognize and thank their 'village' of friends and family and others, who are helping them through the journey of raising quadruplets.
Members of their 'village' helped with major renovations to prep for the quadruplets' arrival. They cooked meals and baked goods, so Tara and Tommy didn't have to worry about cooking meals for the first few months. They cleaned the house, and mowed the lawn, and shovelled snowy sidewalks.
'The theme of today, 'Friends 4 ever' wasn't chosen because we have four babies, and not because they're going to be built-in best friends for life, but because of all of you,' said Tara in a speech to all who attended the celebration.
'This community, this village, you are our friends forever, and stuck with us now, whether you like it or not. Some of you I didn't even know a year ago. Some are friends of friends, moms or sisters of friends, neighbours, I may not have ever crossed paths with again, if I had just one baby last summer like we planned,' she continued.
'But life had other plans. Four little miracles that chose me to be their mom, and Tommy their dad. In doing so, it's brought all of you together, and you are now forever part of our family.
'I can't wait for the day when we can pay it all forward and give the same love, generosity and support to someone that you've given so freely to us.'
The Watsons and their 'village' made it through the first year, and can look forward to whatever comes their way next in Year 2 and beyond. No matter what, the Watsons are forever grateful.
'We feel like we won our lottery,' said Tara.
'We have the most special and incredible healthy babies and we have everything we could ever ask for. I'm so grateful for them, and my family and friends who keep showing up.'
'Can't believe the blessing we have': Edmonton couple will give birth to quadruplets in July
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