Four times the joy: Aurora couple has quadruplets
• Mom 'glad it's over': Newborns join family with two teenagers
Even though twins run on both sides of the family, Lawanda Jones was in disbelief last summer when she discovered she was pregnant with quadruplets.
Jones, 35, gave birth to the four babies Wednesday at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, where she's received specialized medical care and monitoring for pregnancies considered "high risk." The babies were born about two months premature.
• To donate baby-related items for the quadruplets, call (630) 809-9191.
By all accounts, the babies are doing very well. The quadruplets, three boys and one girl, weighed from 1 pound, 13 ounces to 2 pounds, 6 ounces.
The Aurora mom, hospitalized since Dec. 26, is now recovering from the Cesarean delivery.
"We're doing fine," she said, hours after the births from the hospital bed she spent nearly four weeks in.
Jones said it's been a long journey since finding out she was carrying quadruplets.
Their father, Will Lee, is very excited, for these are his first children. Jones has two other children, ages 15 and 18.
"When we heard the first baby's cry, we just looked at one another and started crying -- we knew the end of the journey had arrived. I am glad the pregnancy part is over," Jones said.
The mother said she hasn't as yet gotten the baby cribs, clothing, bibs or diapers.
"Through the Grace of God, we'll manage through the rest," she said.
Jones comes from a big family herself -- nine sisters and four brothers.
Eight weeks into the pregnancy, she thought she would be having twins. But when she began having complications, her doctors ordered an ultrasound, and that's when she learned there were two more heartbeats.
"I didn't believe it. The nurse had to show me on the monitor to convince me -- I was totally shocked and wondered how this could happen," Jones said.
"Twins run on both sides of our families," she added.
The newborns are being cared for in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. The babies and their order of birth are:
• Will Jr., weighing 2 pounds, 6 ounces
• Whitney Mary, weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces
• Willie Earl, weighing 2 pounds, 3 ounces
• Wyatt, weighing 2 pounds
More than a dozen medical staff members, obstetricians, neonatologists, NICU nurses, and labor and delivery nurses assisted in the births.
Hospital officials said the babies were born after a 29-week gestation period, and it would be approximately 11 weeks before they are able to go home.
Jones moved to Aurora from Chicago eight years ago. Before doctors ordered her on bed rest in June, Jones was employed for four years as a department manager at Wal-Mart on Galena Boulevard in Aurora and then transferred to the retailer's newest store in Batavia. Husband Lee is a manager at Wendy's on Ogden Avenue in Aurora.
"We're a family," said Carleen Sager, a department manager at the Aurora Wal-Mart. "We worked together and were friends outside of work as well.
"She always wanted twins, so when we found out she was having four babies we were all amazed and excited for her. We're glad to hear mom and all of the babies are healthy."
Sager said they were planning a baby shower but it was postponed once Jones was admitted to the hospital.
"We'll do whatever we can as fellow associates -- she's going to need help," Sager said.
"It's hard with one baby -- imagine four babies at one time."
To donate baby-related items, call (630) 809-9191.
