Page 26 May 2015 By Katie Mayer Even before Arcadia residents Brennan and Jen Watkins got married, they both dreamed of having a large family. But they never anticipated the unexpected ways in which that dream would come true. Just fi ve years after saying, “I do,” the busy couple has three sets of twins ranging in age from 10 months to 3 years old. For the Watkins family, this means everyday life is a full-time job, a logistical puzzle and – of course – a challenge. That being said, the dedicated couple remains grateful for each little bundle of joy and said they wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. Brennan and Jen recently sat down to share their story with Arcadia News in hopes of recognizing all the mothers out there who make daily sacri fi ces to care for their families and also to bring hope to other couples facing fertility struggles. “I wanted to recognize the moms in the shadows,” Brennan said. “We’ve been under our own little rock for three years and it’s important for people to know there are stories like this.” Jen added, “I’d like to acknowledge all of the women out there who want to be moms… just because they are struggling doesn’t mean you can’t be a mom or a mother to others. There is help and there are blessings.” While struggling with fertility problems during the fi rst two years of her marriage, Jen, now 30 years old, wondered at times if she would ever be a mother – something she’d dreamed of her whole life. “Jen has been preparing for this role since she was a little girl,” said her mother, Cheryl Nordyke, of Mesa. “She was always very nurturing and maternal.” Hoping to start their family, the couple sought medical treatment from Dr. Steven Nelson of Camelback Women’s Health Center. After one round of in vitro fertilization, the Watkins were delighted to Perfect pairs: Arcadia couple gifted with three sets of twins learn they conceived twins. Unfortunately, Jen’s pregnancy ended in miscarriage, so the couple had to begin the process again. The next pregnancy was a success and Jen delivered twins – a boy and girl named Colton and Perry. Since it took a long time for Jen to become pregnant, and the couple eventually wanted more children, they decided to start IVF soon after the twins were born because it may take several years again to conceive. After another round of IVF, Jen gave birth to girls Julia and Lela and fi nally – in the couple’s minds – their family was complete. Jen, a former early intervention specialist, stayed home to raise the children, while Brennan, an anesthesiologist, worked unpredictable hours and jumped in as a hands-on dad at every moment he was home. The family settled in nicely to their busy, but rewarding new life. Then the unexpected happened. “I slipped and fell near the doggy door and felt like I had broken my ribs, so I went to urgent care,” Jen said. “They did a pregnancy test just out of routine before giving me an X-ray, but I explained to them it would not be necessary since there was no way I could get pregnant on my own.” After testing Jen, the nurse came back in and asked for another test. And after the second test, the doctor came into the room. “That’s when I knew right away that I was pregnant,” Jen said. “It was a complete shock.” When Jen returned home and told Brennan, he initially didn’t believe her. The couple was certain they could not conceive without IVF. The Watkins followed up with Jen’s doctor. After an ultrasound, which revealed there were two sacks, the couple learned they were once again having twins. “We felt like this was a higher power,” said Brennan, who along with his wife, is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Things happen when they’re supposed to.” He added, “We never imagined this would happen so quickly.” About 10 months ago, Jen gave birth to babies Kate and Eliza. Like the rest of the twins, they are fraternal. “Once the shock wore off of having our last set of twins, I was like, ‘This is a huge blessing,’” Jen said. “We just had to kind of accept that this is what’s right for our family.” She added, “It’s crazy, but every day I am so thankful for this.” Today, the couple’s home and life remains a fl urry of activity. At any given moment, toddlers and babies are laughing, playing, shrieking, sleeping, eating or crying. Jen calmly and gracefully runs her days in a structured (yet fl exible) routine and keeps a child-friendly (but orderly) home. The couple relies on a grocery delivery service. They can drive their family to visit relatives or go to church in their specially ordered European model GMC Yukon Denali, which fi ts two rows of three car seats. They also have some high school girls who help out a few days a week with the children’s evening routines. “As parents, we both play off of each other’s strengths,” Brennan said. “It’s amazing how easily Jen has adapted to becoming a multitasking mother.” Jen acknowledges that life has been harder – she rarely leaves home and does not get to hang out with girlfriends; however, the couple makes time for monthly date nights and keeps good communication a priority. “It’s one of those things where you have to fi gure out what works,” Jen said. “It doesn’t matter if you have one child, or six, being a parent in tough.” Brennan’s mother Lynn Watkins, of Arcadia, called her daughter-in-law a “perfect mother” and said that her son is extremely helpful with changing diapers, doing feedings and all of the other duties of parenting. “They’re a good match and they’re family oriented,” Watkins said. Brennan and Jen said they rely on their families for help and support, which is important considering strangers, on occasion, can be unkind. But whether it’s an unsolicited opinion or hurtful comment, Jen and Brennan try not to let those judgments bother them. “When people ask me, ‘Why did you have six children?’ I show them a photo of all of them and say to them, ‘Which one shouldn’t I have had?’” Brennan said. “They are all beautiful.” For a family with such an extraordinary story, everyday life is actually fairly ordinary. There are the busy days; there are the fun days and there are the trying days – and in between all of it – there are moments spilling over with love. Brennan and Jen looked at each other and smiled as they recalled a recent example. “There was this one moment where everyone was playing on the fl oor and everyone was happy,” Brennan said. “We just looked at each other like, ‘This is amazing. This is so cool.’” “For us, we chose this,” Jen said. “As hard as it is – and with how crazy it can be at some points – it’s very rewarding.” Six kids under four can be exhausting, but the Watkins family wouldn’t have it any other way. PHOTO BY NTK PHOTOGRAPHY

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