Relatives pitch in with hands-on help. The babies' grandmothers each typically spend at least one night a week with them, and Amandas grandmother comes over on Wednesdays.
Our moms taking one night where we can get a good eight hours (of sleep), its a tremendous help in trying to recharge us so we can keep going, Chad says.
Amandas mother, Darlene Harden, feels proud of Chad and Amanda, noting how well they have adjusted to their new life and how calm they are.
They dont seem to panic, said Harden, 56. Theres no visible stress or anything. They never snap at each other. They never seem to be at the point where they cant handle it.
Shes not surprised though, given that Amanda always wanted to be a mother. Whenever she was little, she talked about, When Im a mom
, Harden recalled.
It was the hope of fulfilling that dream that led Chad to reverse his vasectomy and allow Amanda to experience pregnancy and motherhood.
Its the greatest gift I could have ever asked for, Amanda says of her brood. I dont think I could possibly love them any more than I already do.