Left to right: Thomas, Connor, Harper and Micheal Hainsworth (Photo supplied by family)

By Troy Gillard

happy, healthy and growing!

Mom says first year with quadruplets “chaotic in the best way”

Oct 24, 2019 | 2:40 PM

Charlene Hainsworth says the last 12 months have been chaotic, but in the best way possible.

On Oct. 18, 2018, Charlene, husband Greg and 2-year-old son Joseph welcomed four new members to their Rocky Mountain House family – three boys (Thomas, Connor and Micheal) and one girl (Harper).

After 33 weeks, two days the babies arrived weighing between three pounds, five ounces and four pounds, five ounces. A year later, they weigh between 19 ½ pounds and 22 pounds, with Charlene jokingly describing them as “chunky monkeys.”

“They are doing fantastic. They just graduated out of their pediatrician care and we have zero health issues, which is amazing,” she said proudly. “We hit the lottery with them because to not have any developmental or ongoing health issues is almost unheard of with multiples that were born so early.”

Birthday celebrations took place last weekend at the Kraay Family Farm near Lacombe. (Photo supplied by family)

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Charlene says it’s crazy to think about just how quickly the first year with her little quadruplets has gone by.

“It seems like we were in the hospital for so long in that the NICU days were so long and felt like they were never going to end. Then all of a sudden we got home, and we blinked, and they were one,” she reminisced.

“It’s almost like you don’t get a breath between the first new thing they learn and the next thing. They just are constantly changing and learning things at different times. Like, we have (Harper) that’s walking already and one boy who’s just learned how to stand up, so they’re just constantly keeping us on our toes. We literally can’t blink or we miss something.

“It’s a constant rush and constant chaos of learning and adapting and changing our house and the way we go through our days. But it’s fun and exciting because every day you get to experience a new first.”

Family and friends have been eager to help out, Charlene says, but for the most part it’s just been her and Greg handling the day-to-day grind while reaching out for help when needed from time to time.

Charlene is also incredibly grateful to everyone from Rocky Mountain House and beyond who donated diapers as they still have some left a whole year later.

Another thing she really appreciates is how Joseph has warmed up to being a big brother.

“I’m not going to lie, it started off a bit shaky. He was done with hospitals, done with mom and dad being gone and he really just needed us to give him some extra attention and love,” she admits.

“But once he figured out he could get their attention and make them laugh, he has fallen in love with them. I’m sure that I am going to be so outnumbered and have created this little army that is going to rise against me any day now. They are now a little pack that follows him around and he very much enjoys their attention.”

Bath time is often adventure time with the Hainsworth quadruplets. (Photo supplied by family)

Each of the year-old babies has, as you’d expect, their own unique personality.

Charlene describes Thomas as being “very proper” with a goofy side that takes a lot to be brought out, and someone who likes to just sit back and observe things that are happening around him.

Connor, she says, is the complete opposite.

“I say he’s got an Irish temper. He’s my little redhead and he’s either extremely happy or extremely mad, there’s no in between. But usually he’s only mad if there’s food involved and you’re not giving it to him fast enough.”

Micheal is the goofball of the group.

“He is just constantly laughing and thinks everything is hilarious, especially his big brother,” Charlene shares.

Harper, meantime, is the undisputed boss.

“She was the first one to crawl and the first one to walk. She is going to make sure these boys know that she means business. She’s going to run the house,” mom admits.

Charlene says she’s incredibly fortunate that all babies are sleeping and napping well, outside of some rough nights during teething, allowing her to get valuable rest of her own. There hasn’t been much opportunity for her and Greg to sneak in some quiet time, but all things considered she says life is great right now.

“I can just see what’s going to happen in their teen years, because I have it pretty good right now.”