Some of the most ᴘᴀɪɴꜰᴜʟ and ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙʀᴇᴀᴋɪɴɢ life experiences change people in ways they never thought possible. Today’s story covers a similar theme and is about the power of hope, faith, love, and miracles.
Courtney and Eric Waldrop of Alabama were given the sʜᴏᴄᴋ of their lives when they learned they were expecting sextuplets after trying for another baby after having three already. Their lifestyles are described by Courtney as “fun-crazy.” “We adore every minute of it, but having to nurse around the clock is something,” she added, adding that now that the infants are crawling, there is a whole new level of joy and mayhem.
Six tiny bundles form the most beautiful rainbow. These six little fighters have also been bestowed the most magnificent names – and with three older brothers named Saylor, Wells, and Bridge, they had a lot to live up to.
Eric and Courtney Waldrop have been sweethearts since school, and have always wished for a big family. They could never have imagined just how big it would get. The Alabama couple had their first son, Saylor, in 2008, before using ꜰᴇʀᴛɪʟɪᴛʏ ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛᴍᴇɴᴛs to have their twins, Wales and Bridge, in 2012. But the parents still wanted a child after that. “From a very young age, I dreamed that one day I would have a big house full of kids,” Courtney said.
After suffering a ᴍɪsᴄᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ, Courtney finally became pregnant – with not one, but six babies. The family was sʜᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ to hear the news. They had been told by doctors that the chance of having another multiple pregnancy was low. “I was scared to ᴅ.ᴇᴀᴛʜ. I was afraid of how I was going to carry them out. There was a lot of fear in me. We didn’t know what to do or what to think,” Courtney said. However, the joyful moment was soon overshadowed once they heard the heartbeats, they say, they knew everything would work out.
Doctors advised the couple to “reduce the number of children” in order to increase the chances of others surviving. Courtney and Eric were grateful to the doctors for telling them everything clearly, but they thought it best to let go of their fears and rely on their faith.
“Our faith in God is very strong and we never thought we would consider it,” Mom explained. “When we let go and trusted everything to God, those fears, though we knew the ʀɪsᴋs were still there, were gone.”
They shared their journey via their Facebook page, and even held a public gender reveal. To the great delight of the family, the three girls and three boys were born on December 11, 2017, and the family named their new additions: Blu, Layke, Rawlings, Rayne, Tag, and Rivers.
After several weeks in the hospital, the sextuplets were allowed home just a couple of days ago, and to celebrate, they had their photos taken.
Photographer Ashley Sargent said, “It takes sunshine and rain to make a rainbow. Can you imagine how scared and stressed you would be as a mother if you found out you were pregnant with six children? Mixed with so much joy in knowing that within you life is growing.”
“Six miracles were born… yes, I said miracles. Because the odds were against them… the odds of all of six babies at one time … the odds of the babies surviving at all… The odds of two parents accepting all of them and choosing life despite the shocking news – you babies are miracles. There is a tremendous purpose for your life. You will shake the world. Because, after every storm, there is a rainbow.”
The 11-member Waldrop family is happier than ever, thanking God every minute that the greatest wish of their lives has been fulfilled.
