Libra
The first year was all about accepting our family. I was still trying to live that family-of-four life in my mind. It took a while, but one day we woke up and said, “It's God's plan for our lives. This is our story, so let’s go with it.”
Reduction was just never an option for us. Not even for a second. Walking into that fertility clinic knowing that whatever we were given, we were taking, was an extra layer of stress on us. We got the usual pressure that doctors are required to give. They sat us down and said, “Look, here is the deal. It’s risky.” As scared as we were, we didn’t waiver for a minute.
When I saw all the little circles on the ultrasound, I immediately went into shock. I had seen plenty of ultrasounds before that, so in all honesty, I should have known what it meant, but I remember thinking, ‘That can’t be babies; there are too many!’
As the medical staff started counting and measuring, I realized that, indeed, that’s what I was looking at, and the higher they counted, the quieter they whispered. By ‘four’ I was pretty crazy, by ‘five’ I was sobbing. Then they found ‘six’ and ‘seven.’ (One baby didn’t develop on its own). If ever there was a situation when I thought I was dreaming or thought this was a nightmare, this was it. It was instant panic and complete and utter fear.
I’m usually very controlled, and when I lose it, that’s when Jon usually steps in and takes over. When I saw Jon's face, I knew he was thinking and feeling exactly what I was. We knew we were done for.
Your whole life flashes in front of you.
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Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By Heather Wallace, July 21, 2008 at 13:28I had a dream last night that I was hired as a nanny for Jon and Kate. It was a slightly frightening dream, but a happy one. I just didn't know if I could handle it.
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By fspab3, June 17, 2008 at 00:28Such criticism! With absolutely no right!!!! I would like to see any of you do a finer job than Jon and Kate. They have had 8 children in three years! They are some of the most happy respectful children I have seen. You can see the love and respect that each family member has for one another. Yes, Jon and Kate may argue in front of the children but it is important for children to see that not everyone has the same views and opinions and that a marriage does take work and communication. There is no name calling or any sort of verbal abuse that occurs between them. It may appear that Kate has a raised tone but clearly, she regularly has a raised tone in that she is a bit more higher strung of an individual. I am sure the children know that that is just mom. You can see children when they maybe have an argument and never do they have a look of "oh my!" I think many parents could learn a great deal from both Jon and Kate in raising a wonderful family! Too many people these days are so critical of everything that they never see the blessings in life!!!!
Kate- You inspire so much in so many people. Thank you and Jon for opening your home and lives to us. I pray that I will one day be blessed with such a wonderful husband and family (perhaps a bit smaller ;0) as you have and that I will be as great a mother as you are! God Bless!!!
Best Wishes!
Patricia
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By Heather Wallace, June 17, 2008 at 06:27I agree Patricia...
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By Appleby, May 23, 2008 at 09:01I started watching this show "by accident" (was channel surfing) and now I watch it often. I am amazed at the sanity Jon and Kate keep while dealing with constant noise! Although not as quiet and orderly as I imagine my own house would be, the children are all well behaved and happy and seem to know where the lines are drawn, and that to me is impressive.
I am one of those who believe that Kate spends too much time clinging and whining, and the episode involving the bunk beds made me long to slap her silly (as my granny would have said.) But then I have a sister whose idea of recreation is to read every label in the grocery store cooking aisle, while I go in and buy what's on my list and get out. So everybody has her own way of dealing with life and as long as Jon is happy with the way things are, then apparently all is well.
I'm looking forward to seeing the kids grow and I hope that when they are all teenagers together you will be broadcasting.
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By Heather Wallace, May 23, 2008 at 09:19Yes, imagine all the potential spin-off series when the kids grow up!!
I have to say I'm a HUUUUUUUGE fan of Kate, so I never understand it when people are critical of her. I've spoken to her and she was just sweet as pie.
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By Appleby, June 3, 2008 at 09:02I watched an episode last night in which at least twice Kate snarled at Jon and countermanded his disciplinary actions in front of the children.In my experience parents should NEVER hold this kind of contentious discussion in a place where the kids can pick up the idea that Mom and Dad can be divided and pitted against each other. AND for that matter, they should not hear their mother belittling their father either to him or to anyone else. Parents should always present a united front to the children, no matter what may be going on behind the scenes. In one of the Scenes in the Chair Jon expressed in quite a bitter tone that Kate believed she was the only one who knew how things ought to be done, yet she constantly demanded that he take a firmer hand at the tiller and then shoved him out of the way to take over.
In another episode where she was screaming at him to come and help her clean the garage while he was playing with the kids, one of the older twins opined that "Mommy is a Queen Bee, just sitting in a chair and giving orders to Daddy, but he just ignores her." Is this really the model the parents wish their children to follow?
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By momof2, March 2, 2008 at 17:51I am constantly amazed by Kate Gosselin. I'm challenged by 2 kids. I can't imagine the stress of 8 under 8. What an amazing blessing and challenge, wrapped into one (or 8) bundle. They say God doesn't give you more than you can handle and I believe that God knew that Kate & Jon could handle 8 babies. They've received such venomous comments about infertility treatments. No one knows how hard it is to want a baby and not be able to make it happen. I think they should be applauded for the love and discipline they are providing their brood.
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By gsquared, February 12, 2008 at 09:33I find your life interesting, however I find the fact that you are a nurse even more interesting. I see the nurse in you as you deal with your daily trials and tribulations and I like seeing the honesty, compassion and love you show your children. We are a nursing family so to speak, my spouse and I teach nursing and our daughter is also a nurse, (all RN's) and we can see the organized take charge person come out when dealing with 8 kids. I also admire the sense of family your instill with your little ones and wish you all well. We live in Pittsburgh and I noticed you went to the Pittsburgh Zoo. We also have Sandcastle in on the Waterfront in Homestead Pa which is a Waterpark with a special area for little ones, and the best place I ever took my little ones was Idlewild Park in Ligonier, PA. They have a Storybook Forest where the characters of the story books come alive, a jumping jungle, small amusement rides and then a pool with slides. They also have Mr. Rogers neighborhood and you can picnic there. It is really a wonderful place to take your young family (Rt. 30 in Ligonier). I'm a grandmother of a 14 month old and can't wait to take her there this summer.
Reading the other sites I noticed negative comments about how you talk to Jon and want to say I used to do that to my spouse, and when we went to counseling, I was referred to as "Atilla the Honey" and the therapist had a point. I have since learned to show more positive regard, however, if communicating that way works for your, why care what other think.
Have fun. Life is short enjoy
gsquared
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By Heather Wallace, February 12, 2008 at 14:02Jon doesn't always speak very nicely to Kate either. I think people come down harder on her for some reason. But I second Robyn's opinion that we shouldn't judge...not until we've had two sets of multiples and had our homes opened up to millions of viewers.
I can imagine that I would be even more tightly wound than I already am if I had so many kids. I think Kate and Jon handle it all with pizazz. I love that they aren't afraid to open themselves up to judgment. That family has guts! I think the kids are in good hands.
Re: Naptime Musings From Jon & Kate Plus 8
By Robyn Stubbs, February 11, 2008 at 10:25Wow - I've been reading around the Internet and it seems EVERYONE has an opinion about the show! I was watching the eye doctor episode last night, when you had just Collin and Leah (I think it was Leah!) with you for a few hours - you said two kids was a piece of cake, and when you have eight, that's probably true! I think we all have to be careful (myself included) when we start to judge people by the edited version of their lives that we see on TV. Sometimes I forget that reality television is still about entertainment, and what we see are the juiciest bits. I interviewed Matt Roloff recently and he said that viewers rarely see his kids doing good things, but every bad thing they do is bound to make the final cut...
All the best to you and your family - and good luck with the teenage years!
Robyn Stubbs
Community building editor
Orato.com