Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Are you a new parent or parent of twins and multiples? Do you want to thrive, rather than just survive?
Welcome to our show - a modern, step, by step guide to get you best set up for thrivival!
No outdated, frumpy or stuffy content - we're for NEW parents, we are new parents and we have found the best of the best experts, research and stories. If you're time poor - look no further - community and support building, efficiency hacks and tools, pregnancy, symptom management, partner support, body, bust, skin, hair, postpartum recovery, PND, logistics and travel, parenting twin psychology, childcare need-to-knows, returning to work and more!
I'm Emily, a twin and twin mum. I have researched extensively the best tips, efficiency hacks, expert advice. Books, white papers, medical papers, online groups, articles - sifted through it all, for you. I hope this podcast helps you best navigate this exciting time.
If you have guest recommendations or ideas, feedback - please DM my on socials or email hello@dwoh.group
TikTok @HeyThere_Emily
Instagram @HeyThere_Emily
YouTube @Hey There Emily
Podcast: Hey There Thivival
Welcome to the Hey
There Thrivival podcast.
I'm your host, Emily Haigh, and in this
podcast we talk all things New Parenthood,
twins and multiples, your Gen Y and Gen Z.
Go to our guest today is Taylor Pychynski.
She went absolutely viral with 5.1
million views when she showed her
husband her most recent ultrasound
Why?
Because after years of infertility
and then welcoming twin boys.
They found out they
were expecting triplets.
Yes.
You heard right twins and
now triplets on the way.
Taylor is a linguist.
She's ex-military, a fitness enthusiast.
So beyond this viral video, this is
actually a really raw inspiring chat.
Don't forget,
Emily: if you enjoy this
episode, make sure you hit
the subscribe button and also.
I'd really love it if you'd give
us a rating so that the algorithm
sends us to more parents just like
you, to ensure they're better set up
to thrive rather than just survive.
Okay, let's jump in.
Emily: Taylor, welcome to the podcast.
It is so great to have you here today.
I would love you to give the audience
an introduction on who you are and
now why you're on the pod today.
Taylor: Yes.
Okay, so I'm Taylor.
I live in North Carolina in the us.
I'm 31.
I was prior military, but now my
primary job is being a stay at home
mom to my two amazing twin boys.
I'm currently expecting
triplets this year.
Emily: Very, very exciting.
Well, I'm sure there will be a huge
interest in hearing about this.
I think there's a lot of people in
our community of multiple parents
and obviously their families and
experts associated with that, which
will be very intrigued by this
story because it isn't uncommon.
Um, but it's certainly
not super common either.
So I think people would be quite
interested to hear more about you.
So for those who don't know, you
have documented your journey online.
and you've talked a little about,
I guess, falling pregnant with
the twins and then going through
that and then the triplet journey.
But let's, start, I guess back at the
beginning, who were you pre babies?
What did that look like?
Taylor: pre babies.
well I started out with a career.
I was in the Air Force and, um,
yeah, that was a, that was a big
part of that was the life I lived,
you know, before I met my husband,
because that's actually how I met him.
Um, and so I guess that's
where it all started.
I was a linguist.
so yes, so that
Emily: Like you, you
speak lots of languages.
Taylor: Not as many as I wish, but,
um, my language at the time was Arabic.
And, um, yeah, that was, that
was a fun time I still love it.
It's still, it's probably my
favorite language I've ever
learned or attempted to learn.
I love it.
and that time I met my husband
and from there, uh, once I
separated, actually I took a job.
I was still working at the time for
the government, but I lived in Qatar
for a year and a half working there.
um, actually my husband, he came out
there as well once he separated while
we were there, we started of mostly him.
He's like a mastermind.
He like kind of building
the plan for our future.
And we were maybe 27 at the time,
something like that, 26, 27.
And, um.
Yeah, we, we knew we wanted to start a
family and then that was on the cards.
Um, but not until we felt ready.
We wanted to get of with that job
and get back to the states and,
um, kind of see where life took us.
And we moved back here to North Carolina,
which is where his family lives.
And, um, our dream especially, he grew
up in Florida, so once we got everything
together, we ended up moving to Florida.
And from there, um, is where we became
pregnant with the twins, you know, and
that was a process because, I did struggle
with infertility and I think that's a
big part of my story and a big part of
who I was also pre twins and pre babies.
Um, I think that's, you know,
it's like important to note.
But that's kind of where I
started that whole journey of
trying to even become pregnant.
That's how it all started.
Emily: I think we really
need to go back a step.
I wanna jump a bit, obviously, into your
twin pregnancy, but you speak Arabic.
How?
Taylor: yes.
I know, I know.
It's crazy to say it out loud
sometimes 'cause it's not
something I do every day anymore.
But looking back, I think wow.
Like even as young as I
was, that was so cool.
You know, what a cool story.
um, I just, uh, how it works really.
you join, you don't necessarily choose
what language you wanna go into.
You know, you do requests to be a linguist
and then you have to pass some tests and,
you know, get accepted into that program.
But guess at the time it's really what
the military needs, you know, real life
events, things that are happening in
the world and, you know, different.
International threats
and things like that.
So, um, I just came in at a time
where was a demand for that.
And, um, the, the course
is really intense.
It's faster than you think
you'll ever, like, learn a
language, to fluency especially.
And, um, I just, it was so hard.
I had called home crying
several times, but you just,
you just stick it out, you know?
And I ended up being like, decent at it.
I enjoyed my job a lot.
I met amazing, amazing people,
people that are still considered
family to us, um, yeah, it's
just, that was, that was my job.
That I guess that that was my, what
I call my big girl job, you know?
I joined at a young age and, um, and to,
to this day, it's like one of my passions.
I still like to watch things in Arabic
and I recently made some friends
online who, I call them my pen pal
that I will write to in Arabic as well.
So it's not something I wanna lose.
I don't wanna lose it.
Um, I think it's so beautiful and
yeah, it's one of my passions still.
Emily: So cool.
Taylor: It's,
Emily: I think that's what you could say,
Taylor: so
Emily: languages are, languages are meant
to be fantastic for the brain as well.
So maybe it'll also make you
super sharp in amongst mum brain,
Taylor: I
Emily: knows like,
Taylor: 'cause some days you feel like
the mom brain is, is prevailing, you know?
And
Emily: oh yeah,
Taylor: I just, and in
Emily: even like after, right?
Taylor: to that, for
me, it's never stopped.
Now I'm pregnant and it's still,
now I have pregnancy brain.
I don't know what's
what anymore, you know?
Emily: I think that's why, that's like
your biological stage though, isn't it?
It's you are, you are meant to be
focusing purely on the babies or
your energy is going to the babies.
Plus obviously you've still got
Taylor: It's, amazing
how it works, you know?
Emily: It is, it's really crazy
once you understand it and you
make sense of it, like Right, okay.
It makes sense that you're not as
logical because the body and evolution
wants you to be on the babies
Taylor: the
Emily: and,
Taylor: something else.
Emily: yeah.
Yeah, yeah.
It's, uh, it's a superpower, I would say.
Taylor: is.
Emily: So I saw, I've done my research,
so I saw you got married in 2020 and then
you got your new puppy, I think in 2022.
And you also have a cat.
So everybody, I just wanna
let you know there's two other
fur children in the family.
That's a lot of, a lot of
creatures, but I guess that will
be exciting to be, uh, chased and
extra hugs from all these babies.
Taylor: It's, it's been an adjustment.
For everybody.
They were our firstborns, you know?
And, um, right now, especially my
pup, she is still used to, okay.
My twins are 21 months, so they like
to grab and pounce and pull and run.
And so she's my, dog.
She's getting used to everything
and she's adjusting and she loves
to lick them in the face and eat the
food, like they love to feed her.
So it's a funny relationship, but
I, I expect that it will become even
more fun in the future, you know?
Emily: Absolutely.
And something to give them
distraction when mom and dad are busy,
Taylor: Hope, hopefully
it works out that way.
Emily: Yeah.
Or maybe you could train them
to feed the dog and the cat.
I feel like that would be
a great plan for you guys
Taylor: They
Emily: just to
Taylor: love to partake in tests.
So,
Emily: Wow.
Taylor: they're, they're loving it, right?
They love to put the
shoes in the shoe closet.
They love to get the shoes,
they love to put what, you
know, their dishes in the sink.
So I think we're getting there.
Emily: How good.
Well, that again, the universe, I
feel like there's a universe, we'll,
we'll keep going into this, but I
do feel like the universe is doing
some things for you and setting you
up for this journey that you're on.
So let's keep going.
we touched a little bit on your pregnancy.
2023 December, your boys were due.
Now they arrived early.
So for anyone following along your
journey, you would've seen that they
actually arrived, what was it, November?
So
Taylor: Yep.
Emily: November 2nd.
So that's, let's say, was it about a month
Taylor: say they were,
Emily: early?
Taylor: were due officially January 3rd,
Emily: Mm-hmm.
Taylor: it's about nine weeks early.
Emily: Nine weeks early.
Wow.
Okay.
Taylor: were quite,
Emily: Well, I think, those who don't,
in your following all listeners that
don't have, multiples or haven't had a
child in the, uh, NICU, it's certainly
a different, way of, starting out.
Taylor: is, yeah.
Emily: before we go into that
though, I should actually touch back.
We talked also about your infertility
and with, your babies as well.
So how long were you working
at that until you were blessed
with having your twins?
Taylor: Um, actively trying between
naturally and fertility treatments.
It was nearly two
Emily: I.
Taylor: yeah, we tried on
our own for over a year.
It was nearly a year and a half.
I, I guess maybe for those that haven't,
like embarked on such a journey.
they expect couples to conceive within a
year, uh, especially under the age of 35.
And I was tracking my ovulation through
hormone tests and things like that, and
it, for over a year, I did not ovulate.
Um, I never got a positive
test, so, um, it was very
discouraging since I was a kid.
I, I wanted to become a mom.
that was like, as a
child, that was my dream.
So I just, it was very discouraging
when we did get into the fertility
treatments, like I felt of hope
and it ended up working out for us.
Um, I did do medicated cycles and I did
do IUI to achieve the pregnancy with
the boys and, um, yeah, it's just, it's
something that at some point you just feel
like maybe this isn't gonna happen for me.
You know, um, but it did, and
it was like, since then, it's
been a, a super crazy journey.
But it, it took us about two years.
Emily: Okay, so two years
is, is quite a long time.
So it must have been just so beautiful to
find out that you were finally pregnant
and with twins, which is such a miracle.
And Taylor, I really think that a lot
of people will resonate with that story.
I know I have friends that have
struggled with infertility.
Some have been able to
eventually get their babies.
Some have had spontaneous
and some, uh, are, are not.
Uh, that's not their path, I
guess is probably a way to put it.
So I think it's really beautiful to
hear that and good to also explain
that you did, try it for some time
and I've seen the photos of how fit you
are as well, so in incredible health.
and I wanted to also mention, so you
did something called IUI, not IVF.
Is that right?
Taylor: that's correct
Emily: Yeah.
So a different process as well.
I know that a lot of people have got
their perceptions about what is, the
way to move forward with having a family.
But at the end of the day, I think.
We just should let people live their
journey and, do the things that they want
to do in order for them to get a family.
We're not in their shoes, and
so I think the best thing we can
do is, just celebrate the fact
that it's a beautiful story.
You got
Taylor: Yes
Emily: cute twin boys.
Taylor: Yeah Oh thank you Yeah They're so
cute Um yeah I think it's one of the most
admirable things like somebody wanting to
become a mom and a dad and and to grow a
family you know And all you can do is give
it your honest shot And if they decide to
get outside help you know I'm I'm rooting
them on you know I I've been there I think
it's the one of the greatest things that
you can pursue is to grow a family So
I think yeah I'm I'm their cheerleader
Emily: I love that.
I think that's the best way to be, right?
Especially, uh, a lot of people
that are at a distance sometimes
say things that they wouldn't
necessarily say next to you as well.
So I think let's just be our
best selves online especially.
Now I wanted to, talk about your twins
they arrived nine weeks early, you said.
and, they were in the NICU and
you also, your delivery, you've
mentioned this online that it
was both vaginal and C-section.
so do you want to talk me through,
I a bit about the delivery and
then that journey into NICU?
Taylor: Yes Yes Oh man What a story
Um well it all kind of started because
I had t prom at 30 weeks which for those
I don't know it's a premature rupture of
the membrane essentially um my water was
broken but it was a small rupture and
so they were able to keep me on bed rest
in the hospital Um once I went in to get
checked and got admitted Um During that
process they give you you know a couple
of medications through IV and they just
keep you resting and they monitor you to
make sure everything's okay Babies are
okay nobody is you know low on fluids for
example Um and just continuous monitoring
So I was actually very thankful for that
because I didn't know for several days
that that's what was happening but I
felt off and some things were happening
that I was unsure of So I'm so happy I
went in And I just wanna say if you ever
have any questions just go in to get
checked It's just it's so worth it Um I
stayed in the hospital for about three
days before my water broke completely um
while in my hospital bed So um at that
point I had just turned 31 weeks and
days and I was very thankful I wanted
to try a vaginal birth Um that was kind
of my goal however flexible because you
know especially with multiples you just
never know what's gonna happen um they
were both in great positions so they did
they did allow me to try that And our
first birth of our baby a was beautiful
simple easy exactly what you would expect
other than the team of 10 NICU staff
that were waiting to catch him To get him
Emily: Yeah.
Taylor: Yes Oh forget about it
Privacy intimacy That's out the window
So.
um but that was great And then um they're
on standby right there actually with
this is how they do it here anyways
They have an ultrasound machine just to
make sure that the remaining baby hasn't
flipped in some sort of Danger position
transverse breach however it may be And
um well anyways he was ready to go so
he was already But the problem was that
he had a prolapse cord Umbilical cord
So um I didn't know what that was at the
time and that's when the umbilical cord
is coming before the head of the baby
I can best describe it as um putting
a kink in a water hose where the blood
flow and oxygen was no longer getting
to him at the time So um at that point
especially because you don't know how long
that birth is gonna take um know it's a
it is a huge risk to leave him without
blood and oxygen of course So his heart
rate was down in the forties um which
newborns are supposed to be well over a
hundred So that was um alarming And at
Emily: Wow.
Taylor: that point It was it it was the
craziest thing I've ever experienced It
was like an out of body experience I can
I can hardly remember it at this point My
husband was in the corner He witnessed it
all where you have no idea what's going on
and they see the heart rate on the monitor
and you just hear the doctor say convert
convert We have to convert to C-section
And I just remember asking why why why
what happened what's going on And before
I know it there's a blue sheet there's a
doctor saying I'm gonna give you a little
cocktail to make you comfortable you
know um then I was out and I had no idea
what happened after that I woke up uh my
recovery room I was alone I I don't wanna
get my husband to get flack but he was
in the NICU with the babies checking on
them and I just had no idea what happened
But was It was like the Power Rangers
It was truly it was truly impressive how
everybody assembled All of a sudden the
whole team I think NICU teams are amazing
by the way I give them so much credit
and uh like just applause It it just
like that everything changed and um they
successfully resuscitated my baby bee um
he had to be intubated for the first 24
hours or so But that's how that happened
And and that's the thing with multiples
your first one can go exactly as plans you
know but that's not the end And I think
that's important to remember when kind
of evaluating the risk and just mentally
preparing Um and not to fear monger
but I think it's important to know that
you know you're just not done after the
first one and so anyways I give big thanks
and big love to Nikki teams are amazing
Emily: What an incredible story.
And I, I agree with the NICU teams
and, many those expecting multiples.
I think this is a good, educative
story in that this is a, these are
the sorts of things that can happen.
The great thing is that the medical
teams are prepared, like again, in
your case, they seem like they just
switched over with military precision,
Taylor: was
Emily: the wards of people
that are in multiple births.
So I think it's good.
It's good to know, and did you know
that that was a potential outcome that
you might be doing both types of birth?
Taylor: um honestly no it never
crossed my mind I was going to shoot
for a natural birth unmedicated
and it's so funny because towards the
very end of my laboring I had this weird
feeling um Oftentimes they will encourage
you to get an epidural just because
if you do have an emergency c-section
it's much easier and quicker for them
to access a line for medication so
that they can get started on the actual
surgery And in my mind and in my heart
I just I could not justify taking the
risk of delaying any time in the case
of an emergency So I was about eight
centimeters dilated and they came and
gave me my epidural um but it gave me
peace of mind and and we ended up having
to use it So I just attribute that to
the little nudge I had Um and so no I did
not I did not know it was a possibility
to have one go smoothly and the other
completely go in a different direction
Emily: Yeah, and I think that's
something that I wish more parents
of multiples knew, or even any new
parents, is that you may have a different
outcome to what you're expecting
and, and again, shoot for what you
want to with your medical support.
But that education piece, would
you say that's something that you
wish, in hindsight you knew, or
that you perhaps would mention to
others if they're in your situation?
Taylor: Yes, and I actually do advocate
for especially um women pregnant with
multiples to kind of read up on the
different risks that are there Um
especially because there I mean there's
risks with every pregnancy and with every
labor it's just that those are increased
exponentially when you start adding more
babies you know Um and you just you truly
never know what's going to happen And
I think it's really really important to
make informed decisions Um So for that
reason I talk about it I share this part
of my story Um it's not something I knew
could happen was going to happen I just
felt a little push to kind of make that
decision at the end I truly truly think
that it changed the outcome of what
could have happened with my second baby
Emily: Yeah.
Well, thank you for sharing that.
I think, you are very open, on
your social media and you're very
genuine, which to be honest is a trade
of a lot of, I guess, moms online
and lots of, moms of multiples.
And I think that in doing that, you're
probably really helping people because.
Some people it's not
comfortable to talk about.
And so hearing you talk so openly and, and
being honest, I'm sure is helping people.
So just wanna call that out to you.
Taylor: I hope so I I I knew no moms
of multiples before Um so if I even I
answer everybody in my dms answer like
I am just I'm I'm there Because if
I can shed one little piece of light
or even encouragement or whatever
it may be it's like that's that's
what I'm setting out to do really
Emily: Yeah, well you definitely have a
great, I don't know if aura is the right
word, but you've got a really great glow
and and energy about you, so I love it.
Taylor: we can go with that
Emily: Anyway.
Yeah, well, I've got some more
questions about that a bit later.
So let's talk about Greg.
'cause I've spoken to an OB.
So Greg was in the room and he's
supporting, did they do the thing
where they said, if you fall over after
watching, we are not going to catch you?
Was that a thing that was
mentioned or was that just
Taylor: I don't know, I'll need to ask
him I need to ask him because I think
he got prepped before I was even ready
Emily: Right?
Well, it's, it's common that
partners that look over the curtain
or watch delivery to sometimes
get overwhelmed or get a shock that
they're so overwhelmed and to fall.
And so the OBGYN I interviewed had
mentioned she had had cracked heads and
had to send the partners to emergency.
while the, while the
birth moms given birth.
Can you imagine?
Taylor: I
Emily: So he obviously didn't.
Taylor: I think he did great I
think they actually started him
in the corner right behind me in
a chair Maybe that helps sitting
Emily: Idea.
He's a big guy, so I think
that's probably smart.
Taylor: cause that would've been a
big fall but actually he did great He
witnessed the whole thing I think he
probably turned white during that whole
process The way he describes it is also
very entertaining to listen to because
he saw the whole thing And um he was
even there of course during the C-section
And there's actually a video there's
a video on my Instagram and it's just
about it's it's shortly after the boys
were in the nicu and it's just some clips
of them in the nicu But in one of the
clips there's a red smear right here and
it's blood from my C-section And this
Emily: Oh gosh,
Taylor: is such a story I don't know if
if I'm going in the right direction but
Emily: Share it's fine.
Taylor: Yes I I think he was He was doing
something and they were sewing me up and
it just came I'll spare more details but
it just he was fine He yeah he is stayed
standing He stayed standing when I told
him about the triplets We'll get into
that But he just is a sturdy guy I guess
Emily: Wonderful.
Well, I love it.
He was in there, in the trenches and
he, was definitely very involved if
he's getting hit with the, uh, blood, so.
Okay.
Well, well done Greg.
Let's go onto that first year and coming
home and, and so your boys were in
the NICU for quite some time as well.
Would you mind sharing about your
experience there and what was the,
the hardest part in all of that?
Taylor: Um yeah they were there for
four weeks which I think we were very
fortunate from my perspective that's
a short stay Um For them their biggest
things were I'm sure you know the term
but they were growers and feeders they
needed to grow and mature and they needed
to learn how to eat and they needed to
learn how to breathe on their own cause
they were just too early for that Um the
experience it's quite sad really you know
Um and it's it's sad to see your baby's
like that um I have never been ashamed
to mention like the selfish reasons that
I was sad as well and just letting go of
the ways I thought I would be able to live
my first moments as a mom you know And
um so of the it was a hard adjustment all
around because seeing them that way and
and not to mention I mean NICU itself is
not happy place I it's it's filled with
great milestones and and happy moments but
um you see all the children there without
their parents without their moms You see
all the moms there Um either not being
able to hold their babies or um you know
fighting some bad news or hoping for good
news or you just you just never know I
mean everyone is going through something
it feels it feels like the same but it's
so different Everyone's experiencing it
so differently um for for us I mean I
also was pumping during the time and I
was trying to juggle that with seeing
them as much as possible and and trying
to also heal from both deliveries And
it just it was tough It was really tough
And um at the time when we had moved to
Florida we actually didn't have um family
close by So um yeah I mean it was it's
not an experience I wish for anybody for
sure but I I think um very blessed in our
personal experience with that Um I know
it could have been worse and I'm very
thankful that things went as smooth as
possible considering um all the things
that the babies went through But yeah
it's it's a tough it's a tough experience
Emily: Yeah.
Yeah.
I think when they're so little, and
again, getting your head around what it
means when they're there, are they okay?
And seeing your babies in all the,
the pipes and the C paps, which.
They're all, they're all
there to help the baby.
So just again, to share that the C paps
blow the liquid off the lungs and make
sure the babies are breathing and the
pipes feed them because they're quite new
and there's a lot of beautiful technology.
So we are very lucky with all of that.
But it is, as a new parent,
biologically wired to want to hold
your babies and do skin to skin,
Taylor: yes It's so
Emily: it's,
Taylor: and I
Emily: yeah.
Taylor: remember even just the first
time that we were able to see their
faces it was weeks after they were
born and and we just it it was it was
such a strange moment because how How
can you fully bond with someone when
you can't even look them in their eyes
when you can't kiss their face when you
can't see their features It's it's so
it's so difficult You're wondering like
who are you all of this You know So
Emily: Yeah.
Taylor: a journey from the
start to the end It's it's
Emily: Yeah, and I have shared
this topic in, in a few stories,
uh, through the episodes to date.
So for those that are expecting, know that
we do have fantastic equipment and really
educated staff in, in most countries, but
it might be something that you struggle
with from, maybe not expecting it and
also from, from a biological perspective
with your hormones and just, you are
wired to, to want to be against them.
So coming against all that can be a lot.
So for partners knowing to support and
also get themselves prepared as well.
'cause I'm sure for you that Greg
had to get his head around it as well.
But I think something to be aware
of is definitely a good call out.
Let's talk about the moment
that you got to bring them home.
I think that's always a, a nice one.
So what was that like when
you got the green light?
Taylor: You know it's so
Emily: I,
Taylor: Uh I the most memorable moment
Beginning this whole process of bringing
them home was when I was at home I was
putting together their bassinets to have
them by our bed And I got the call from
the nurse and she said Hey I think they
can go home today or tomorrow We just need
this test to be done with the car seats
Did they do that there also in Australia
Emily: oh, it's such a blur.
We definitely brought our car
seats in to take them home.
Taylor: Yeah
Emily: the test you have to tell me?
So I've,
Taylor: Okay
Emily: I was really out of.
Taylor: um place them in the car seats
and the and their blood pressure in
their heart rate in their oxygen is being
monitored at a time And for us it's a
90 minute test to see if they tolerate
Traveling in a car seat um to make
Emily: Wow.
Taylor: don't drop to make sure they don't
get so stressed that their blood pressure
gets out of control And um I was just
like what do you mean I'm not even ready
They were only barely turning 35 weeks
gestation And in my mind and with what I
was experiencing with their troubles and
their desaturations I just was I was so
skeptical There's no way How how can they
be ready Right So um that's kind of what
that's how that started I honestly was
too nervous at the time to be excited I
I asked them I was like please keep them
longer Please Like just keep them keep
them I I just don't feel like this is
right Um but they're with them 24 7 so
they see they're living life day to day
um and They passed the test the first try
And I I think I convinced them to keep
them one more day that that was all they
could gimme They're like they're healthy
babies I we can't keep them You know So
um it just was shock I was in disbelief
Uh and then by the time we got there to
to really take them take them I just I
was so excited But you're wondering how
do I I'm a first time mom How do I keep
they're so tiny How do I keep them a
Emily: Yeah.
Taylor: you sure Are you sure
that they're ready I'm not ready
Who's who's the one ready You know
Emily: Yeah,
Taylor: So
Emily: think that's a common thing.
I felt the same when they're like,
you can now be responsible for them.
I think my reaction was, what do you mean?
Taylor: do
Emily: I have no idea what I'm doing.
you are so much more equipped.
Taylor: how do you know how do you
have faith in me right now with this
Emily: Yeah, yeah.
Because that's so little.
But we, we don't, I don't think we
do that car seat test in Australia.
I, I cannot recall that.
I think 'cause only one of ours was, one
of ours was NICU and the other one wasn't.
Uh, but I don't recall unless
it happened with my partner.
I'll have to check with him, but,
I, yeah, I can't, I can't recall.
Taylor: do them differently
Emily: Yeah.
Taylor: that's that's another struggle
in itself is when you get to take
one baby home and not the other
Emily: Yeah.
Well I was still in hospital, so we
actually stayed in hospital for six
days, so we actually never got that.
But I do have many friends and
people I've interviewed who had that.
So
Taylor: most common And they
actually told us it's at least here
it's very rare for for twin siblings
to go home together And ours came
home the same day together and um
Emily: yeah.
Taylor: it was crazy
Emily: they're both cheering each
other on from the NICU cribs.
Taylor: think so I think they were they
always kept them together side by side
so we were really thankful for that
Emily: Yeah, that's good.
I think, I mean, they should do that.
We've got joint NICUs and then I think if
they've got, they don't have joint NICUs.
NICU beds.
They might put them in separate
ones, but yeah, I think joint
ones are good for twins 'cause
Taylor: I wish they I wish they could
have been together more but I was
very lucky at the time they were my
first kids so I didn't have any more
at home that was able to spend a lot
of time with them and skin to skin and
keep them together that way and yeah
Emily: Yeah.
Yeah.
It's beautiful.
I, I don't know if you've seen this,
but I've got a video when my twins
were finally back together, physically
against each other and it's so beautiful.
It's just like that moment,
it's just, it's like magic.
So you've posted a little bit
about, sleep and feeding.
So let's talk about sleep.
I know that they, they
had reflux after the nicu.
Sleep was a bit disturbed because
they'd had that NICU stay.
Could you paint, a bit of an overview
of what that looked like for you and
then how you managed out of that and
what your, tips would be in hindsight?
Taylor: Oh that was rough That was the
roughest time for sure even in the NICU
they were having some reflux and I had
concerns about it but for them They say
it's normal and they wanna keep you know
upping their feeds cause at the end of
the day they are burning a lot of calories
in the in the NICU and um it's best for
them to get their feeds So when they
came home um I think it really started
because my baby a who was the worst one
with um this struggle in particular I
was sleeping with them Um were in their
messines and I would hear my baby It
sounded like he was choking or snorting
in his sleep And he was very restless
and he was crying a lot And I didn't know
what was going on but I could not lay
him flat in his T all It was impossible
He couldn't sleep He was wiggling around
everywhere he was I mean he would start
here and end up here I don't know how but
he was just in a lot of discomfort And
um.
of course Me I'm I'm paranoid Like what
are these sounds Why why can't he sleep
Is he okay And anyway as it I couldn't
sleep He couldn't sleep and that was a
huge thing my other one struggled also
just uh not to quite the same extent
that's when I started asking questions
to the pediatrician and I started doing
a lot of research and um what different
things can cause this to happen And when
I got more into the topic of research uh
of of reflux it kind of made me think back
to the NICU times and I started putting
pieces together and um that that was my
suspicion But for the longest time he had
to sleep of them on our chests could not
lay them down because we couldn't breathe
He had the reflux it was causing him a
lot of pain for weeks we slept with them
on our chest in some very uncomfortable
positions um it was the only way it was
the only way we got sleep Otherwise they
were waking every 20 minutes Um we did
seek like um some reflux medication for
them to at least help with the pain but
uh for a couple of months until they got
bigger we they they couldn't be laid down
like period It was it was really really
awful Um we we would make jokes my husband
and I we would watch the sun go down and
then we would watch the sun come up and
it just the sun would be breaking through
the windows and we would just look at
each other from across the way Him with
his baby me with my baby And we would
just go Oh time to do it again know um
and this is not everybody's experience I
I know people with twins who had amazing
peaceful experience with their twins
and they would do it time and time again
Um but for us sleep was a huge huge is
issue And even aside from all of the spit
up which I can totally handle all the
changes of clothes all the burp claws
all the bibs all of the smells all day
um that that was the least of it It was
that they were so uncomfortable and they
were in so much pain I really really I
struggled postpartum really really bad I
never thought I would um like fall victim
to what would be considered postpartum
depression But I think people really
underestimate the effect of Lack of sleep
and sleep deprivation on their mental
health I really really do think people
underestimate it even just with one baby
especially with a baby that struggles
with sleep um a mom can really be hit
hard with that when you have two that
are not what what I I try to explain to
people is oftentimes uh when one when
you have a baby and it goes to sleep
you're done You can you can go rest but
that doesn't happen when you have 2 3 4
your recent guests And it is it was the
hardest thing I have ever gone through
to this day And I have been through basic
training and I have been sleep deprived
and I have have have done many things
that were unenjoyable and this by far was
the hardest thing probably on average got
about an hour and a half of sleep a night
um broken also pumping You're also having
to make sure they feed every three hours
um pumping every three hours on a dot And
um it was the toughest thing looking back
now I am so proud of myself It's and I and
I am I'm so proud of every mom every mom
period and then the ones with two or more
I just think it is the most incredible
thing that someone can possibly do
Emily: Yeah, I agree.
I think when you hear that person that
says, oh, I had two close together, I
understand twins, you think, well, and
I have mentioned this a few times, but
well, you didn't have to feed two at
once or three at once or four at once.
And that is just a different
type of sleep deprivation,
which is torture in some places.
And so I think it is
a, a really good call.
I mean, as parents, we do what
we need to do because we love
our children and that's our job.
But that doesn't take away from
the fact that it is difficult when
you're getting one hour of sleep.
And then, I don't know about you,
but I would find 10, 15 minutes just
to lie there with my eyes closed.
Taylor: Oh yes yes My my eyes Mm-hmm I had
to rest my eyes so to speak because there
there were times where it physically felt
impossible to keep them open I would cry
Emily: Yeah,
Taylor: cry cause I was so tired
There was nothing else my body
could possibly do if it couldn't
sleep but cry kind of the point that
Emily: I bet.
Taylor: Yeah And I I think to an extent
obviously it's biologically normal for
babies to not sleep all the way through
the night let alone just some long
stretches But their sleep was and and
because of that their reflux was worse
their feedings were worse their moods were
worse they cried more I mean they cried
7 specifically my baby A I mean he
really re really struggled We would
walk around holding bouncing shushing
singing hours for hours it just
Emily: Yeah.
Taylor: and it makes you think you
know and and again I I'm very open about
this It it makes me think like I tried
so hard to get pregnant No one warns
me about this No one warns me how bad
it could possibly be but I truly truly
think nobody really gets it Like twin
parents or or parents of multiples And you
don't wanna ever sound posh like saying
that because you don't wanna discredit
anyone's struggle because the struggle
is struggle But there there is no one
that can truly validate what you're going
through Like another multiple mom you know
Emily: Yeah.
lived experience.
Absolutely.
And, to your point, there are
people with a single baby that have
really tough situation as well.
So I think what you're trying to
say is we don't take away from that
at all and, and recognize that's a
challenge, but it's a, a different,
a different type of challenge.
So talk me through how did you manage
through so postnatal depression, what,
what were your top tips in terms of,
coming out of postnatal oppression
for anyone that might be struggling?
Who, who picked up on it
and helped to sort you out?
And any tools that you used to
get those sweet babies to sleep
Taylor: Yes
Emily: or calm.
Taylor: yes Okay So first off of course
my husband he saw it the worst I think it
really started pretty early on just cause
the sleep deprivation was so steep that
he I mean he started waking up for every
single feeding every single cry with me
every single night I mean he was my like
right hand man through the entire thing
I really there were times where I just
thought I wasn't gonna make it whatever
that meant at the time you know but he
really stepped in so he was the first one
And Besides him I made really really good
friends with my lactation consultant at
the time and she happened to be a NICU
nurse for 30 years and she had been a
nurse in general for 50 years And she just
was so nurturing and so loving And as
far as my tips with that be one to open
up about it because how can people help
you if you don't talk about it And then
number two and this is like I advocate
for this so much is to accept the help
And I think that's the biggest thing I
think a lot of moms are like you know
especially first first time moms it's
like We wanna be the ones to comfort the
baby We wanna be the ones to hold the
baby We wanna you know but the more help
you can get and the bigger village that
you can build make all the difference
on how you recover physically mentally
I was very stubborn with accepting help
and for asking for help That was that
was the thing um I didn't want to admit
that I wanted a break and I I felt like
maybe weak if I if I wanted a break or a
nap or whatever you know And so I I just
think that's the biggest thing I I think
it's the biggest thing to just get out of
the head and just accept help because I
I think not having help and not wanting
help I think that's more of a new age
thing I think we're wired to Need help
want help accept help help others Um
we're a social species and I I just think
it if I would have asked for more help
earlier I think it it It would've looked
differently for me um like mentally the
babies would've still been struggling but
we could have spread the load more there
were people in our neighborhood We didn't
have family clothes but we had people in
our neighborhood that were offering help
when they would see us on walks in the in
the neighborhood And I always said yeah
yeah I'll I'll I'll call you if anything
you know or they they would even mention
if you wanna go take a shower or if you
guys want an hour or you want to go to
the gym together whatever And and I never
did it not one time So um looking back I
just think that that would be the one of
the first things I would change yeah my
husband my lactation consultant and I did
um at that point go to my OB um I asked
for help there and through insurance I
sought um therapy just to if anything just
to vent You know I my poor husband I mean
he's there through it all He witnesses
everything Um I spill everything I God he
is so great I just pour everything onto
him So um if I could just at least have
another outlet to vent and have somebody
validate my my feelings and this this
struggle that I'm going through and and
and motherhood in general um it just
it was like it was such a relief for me
And um alongside that is just figuring
out the sleep I I think the sleep for
me was the biggest thing I think that
was the biggest driver for the postnatal
depression um and this is where I also
I personally I like natural remedies I'm
I'm into like more holistic methods of
things if you can manage with that Um
but if it weren't for getting medication
for my sons um That ease their pain with
the reflux Nobody including my children
would have ever gotten sleep And I just
think that there's a time to accept and
be grateful for and um try like medicine
you know for the sake of everybody once
they started sleep I was happier I was a
better mom I was a better wife They were
in better moods You know it if it wasn't
for that it it took my son The the first
time I saw him smile was that's how I
knew I was like wow We are we've made it
so far because he could not even crack
a grin within the appropriate age range
through his pain So the the medicine made
a huge difference I'm a huge advocate
for um not having yourself suffer or your
children longer than they have to If you
find that the methods you prefer are not
working than to go with medication Yeah
Emily: That's really good takeaways there.
I love that.
So making sure you, well talk about
it and share it and ask for help.
And then if you, if there's medical
support available from your professionals
to take that and then sleep and
everyone talks about that, right?
Once you, once you start to
get that sleep, any parent,
parents of many children or
multiple children doesn't matter.
Sleep changes you and filling your cup.
So I think those will be Well received.
And that saying yes is a
really common theme as well.
And I think the people that walk past
you or in the neighborhood, one of the
great things that I think is really
good, if they offer, and you're not
quite sure, say they say they're going
to watch the kids and maybe you're not
comfortable and some people you are
just say, look, I would love like a food
voucher or you know, nappies formula.
Again, it can be a bit uncomfortable
for people, but if people are
genuinely offering, that's
probably the easiest ways to do it.
And accepting that help you gotta do it.
Honestly.
Yeah.
Say yes.
and I think you also, I saw in
your post you had a swinging seat
for the boys as well that helped.
Is that right?
Taylor: yes Yeah it was it was great I I
have to say in their earliest ages having
them home it just was like uh a cuddly
little space for them to be together I
yeah I loved it I I didn't use it so much
for sleep because they knew when it wasn't
me it didn't quite work for that But just
to keep them together and a place to
have them very close to double feed them
to feed them together I think that was
the base way that I used it again just
to save my sanity you have to feed them
together It's just it gets all done at one
time You're not spending so much time just
feeding one baby feeding another baby Of
course whatever works for you is great But
I just found it for me that if I could
knock it out together it was it was the
best So I that's how I used it It was just
like a little cut for them and they loved
it They were snuggly in it It was great
Emily: Yeah, they looked
super cute in the video.
So again, great pick there, and
maybe I'll get the link off you if
you love that product and, and pop
it in for people to have a look.
The next big piece in your story is 2025
9th of July, you had decided to go again.
you had your boys, they were finally
sleeping after 13 months, and
decided to go again, there's that
there is commonly discussed a little
bit of, fear apprehension because
if you've had multiples, can
it be potentially another thing?
So maybe talk me through, your
thinking, before going again and
then the moment you found out.
Taylor: Yes after I truly think the
newborn stage is so hard then once you
see them sprout their own personalities
And they build a relationship with you
and they build a relationship with each
other You are just like I can't be done
with this This is so magical when we
first set out to have kids we did say
that we wanted four to five kids that
was our goal We wanted a big family so
we decided we were gonna try again And
and the thing too is when you struggle
with infertility you also don't know how
long it's gonna take you know So um me
it's a whole process You have to get the
referrals back to the infertility clinics
and you have to do all the testing and
the whole lot So uh that's how we started
with that And we did we did fear is
natural The idea of again having multiples
We came to the conclusion together that
well nothing could possibly be as hard as
what we already went through What a naive
thing to think Right Um but but that was
I I think that's a really great mindset
Like we did it we did it together It was
extremely extremely difficult we kind of
know what to expect if it turns out to be
more than one baby We know how to manage
feedings We know how to manage you know
at this point and yeah we learned so much
So we said okay well worst case scenario
we end up in the same place But anyway
we wanna grow our family so let's let's
go So I went through the same process
and with the boys it took two rounds of
IUI which is actually rather quick and
this time around we got pregnant with our
fourth round of IUI and now today actually
I am 19 weeks pregnant with our triplets
Emily: Congratulations.
Taylor: thank you
Emily: So excited.
So there's a viral video and
for anyone that doesn't follow
Taylor, you've gotta have a look.
It's Greg's reaction to getting told that
you are pregnant and you pass him the,
uh, photographs of the babies in the scan.
It is so brilliant.
You really nailed it filming that.
So talk me through like, what was
your reaction and then talk me through
Taylor: Okay
Emily: like, what did you say?
Taylor: Yes A lot of honesty here So
firstly I have a lot of people that are
not from here that are really really
concerned with the fact that he wasn't
at the ultrasound So I know it's it's
obviously ideal that we're both there but
we do have kids and they can't join in
on this process So uh he did stay home
to watch them I took quite a while the at
the ultrasounds I think he was expecting
least twins We talked about it We knew
it was possible so when I handed him
the ultrasound it does on the first one
or two pictures say the words triplets
it So I was acting so weird cause I
was so nervous and I just was trying to
act normal When you try so hard to act
normal you act completely the opposite
of normal Okay Just don't fool yourself
and so he already was like nervous I
handed him the photos and that obviously
is the video You just I think "How?"
was his first word "How?"
yeah my reaction was basically
the same at the ultrasound
So being that I had to find out without
him I I had such a pit in my stomach
I was so nervous and my doctor who was
doing my scan she's the one that ran
my fertility protocol I quickly quickly
caught a glimpse the monitor and I saw
something I've seen before and I just
knew I I saw at least one I saw one sack
and her name was also Taylor And I said
Taylor I was like please tell me there's
one And she said well she goes there's
two I was like oh my gosh And I accepted
that I was looking at the monitor and I
saw what I I knew was another one I said
Please tell me There's only two So I we're
we're stacking at this point She goes
well let me check And she's scanning She's
scanning and sure enough in the corner of
the third sack there's another heartbeat
she was like there's three And I was like
I couldn't believe it I was beside myself
honestly I just I don't think I knew
how to felt like how to feel think I was
shocked So I was neither happy nor sad
And um I just yeah I I just was shaking
I I was so nervous at what does this mean
for you You know like that's what we're
that's what you're thinking What does this
mean for me we really really were trying
for one baby I think I think it's very
common amongst like moms with multiples
especially if you had multiples your first
pregnancy to kind of crave that experience
of having one baby having you know ideally
a full term pregnancy and ideally you
know uninterrupted skin to skin Well I
have toddlers how uninterrupted can you
get But you know um just having a baby
in one hand and doing something with
another hand or or tending to your kids
or or whatever Um and and taking them
home uh after you know after birth and
things like that So I think that was the
next step as far as my response I I was
the only one in the clinic at the time My
team was really really amazing and they
were really really like empathetic and
they were just telling me Everything's
gonna be okay Everything's gonna be okay
I was like I have to go home and tell my
husband he is I've been here for so long
He is gonna be wondering what the heck is
going on And um So I basically it probably
took me a couple weeks to really process
it then that's when there was a flood of
emotions a flood of emotions So that's
maybe one thing that we can jump into But
Gregory also seemed to go through the same
process and um I think just complete shock
Emily: Yeah, I can imagine.
I can imagine it takes a while
to process something, which
is, it just seems wild, right?
Do, do you know what type of,
triplets that you guys have?
Taylor: So we do have all separate
sacks and placenta so they're Try
Emily: Oh,
Taylor: Yes
Emily: wow.
Taylor: yes
Emily: that's even more wild.
Taylor: It's very wild And um due to the
scans that I had before we did the process
of I UI when they were just checking my
follicles to see if I had anything mature
I only had one very mature and ready
follicle So alongside that one I had a
smaller millimeter of people wanna look
into it I had a 15 millimeter follicle
which is considered it's considered small
If if I would've had only that one we
would've waited longer to do the IUI for
example Like they don't consider that one
to have like a good possibility of being
viable or releasing a a mature egg So um
that one for us was kind of almost out of
question You know so we we were shooting
for this nice big healthy mature follicle
this one and we always made jokes like
oh well what if what if what if second
follicle came and against all odds it
took to the treatment as well And then
we had and then we had twins Like what if
that would be crazy And then I think one
time we said what if that happened one of
them split and we got triplets Wouldn't
that be crazy And at this point is the
theory for my doctor She thinks one of
them split early for those that don't know
you can have identical twins in separate
sacks if it splits early enough So being
that the only other option is that they
would miss a follicle on the ultrasound
which is also extremely uncommon cause
they're big they can see them they think
that that's the most likely theory So I
don't know if there's anybody identical
in there There's two girls and one
boy So uh it's just something we have
to find out later which is also fun
It's just like more surprises as you go
Emily: Yeah, I bet it's, it's so
crazy 'cause yeah, with the multiple
births, you've got twins, it's
obviously one egg split or it's two
eggs released and then when you get to
triplets, quads, septuplets, whatever.
Five is, I actually don't know
the right word, but on and on,
Taylor: then
Emily: quintuplets.
There we go.
And then on and yeah, it gets bigger and
bigger depending where you get octuplets.
I know, that one.
but there, there's multitudes
of how it can happen.
So that's just so wild.
And it's almost like the universe
had this in store for you
and that you were destined to
be, a parent of, of multiples.
So I love that.
And I have to say, I have
watched the reveal videos.
Everyone check out Taylor's reveal videos.
They're great.
She's got three different ones
when they announce the, genders.
And how did you feel
about having two girls?
You had two boys already and
then you got two girls and a boy.
It's a perfect bit.
Taylor: Oh it's so great We're
we are like it it couldn't have
gone better honestly Um I love
Emily: Yeah.
Taylor: being a boy mom I love being
women I really do And I always joke saying
oh but a girl for you know a little mix
would be like so fun And even though I
feel like at this point I feel how how
how do you I don't know how to be a girl
mom but it should be fun you know And
um my husband he is a man's man He loves
having boys but you can just see him get
so tender when he talks about having a
girl and he says but a girl like a little
girl to spoil would be like so cute You
know So um we had the idea of kind of
crime like let's try again see if we get
a girl Um but also all boys would be so
cool Like we love we love that idea So um
I'm I'm thinking my true guess was that
it was either gonna be all three boys or
all three girls because with that with my
luck I just feel like it would be all in
one direction all or the other And so I
really thought it was gonna be all boys I
thought we were gonna be like a boy family
like like football team you know just
Emily: Yeah.
Taylor: in the mud And when the first box
opened and it was a girl I I felt like I
was gonna I just it felt so unreal It was
so out of the realm of possibilities for
me which is so silly It's just like it's
50 50 chance maybe But it just it was so
wild So and and people also I I think they
get a funny misinterpretation of the fact
that he and I both were so nervous that
it was gonna be three girls Because first
of all we've never had a girl period And
we've gotten so used to having boys We
have like at this point I give us credit
we're nailing it Okay the idea of just
going in the total opposite direction is
like it's a bit scary It's like how how
do you parent a little girl You know we're
so tender and we're so sensitive and we're
so like you know it's just everything Our
interests are different and it's just like
it's it's this world that we just haven't
stepped into So we were like so nervous
to have something we are not used to at
all times three And so when the first box
came we like we're ecstatic but we just
know there's two more boxes we don't
know We still know what's coming So um the
second box was our boy and then we kind
of got a sigh of relief because we said
okay there's there's a piece of comfort
in this world of new and scary that we're
stepping into you know And uh at that
point we were like We we just were we were
so happy Like this is so perfect know a
Emily: Yeah.
Taylor: we get a boy Like it it is just
so fun It's so fun Even in this world
Emily: absolutely.
Taylor: craziness it's like there's
this little piece of fun and then the
third box was another girl And I again
I just thought it was gonna be three
boys Now we have two girls I don't know
what the heck like how to do this And
it's a completely different world And
but we're we're like so happy The girls
get a sister I think it's so great
in a family of boys for a girl have a
sister and and yes it's like how fun is
that You can like share in all of these
activities and and interests and things
and you can relate to each other better
than anybody And I have a brother and I
Emily: And five.
Taylor: much Yes And um but I also
have a sister and it's just it's a
different relationship and I'm we
just know it it could not be any
any better We're so happy with it
Emily: Oh, well, congratulations.
It's beautiful news and I loved
hearing that for you as well.
Now I have to ask, so it looks like
your boys at the moment, I know they're
fraternal, but they do look a little bit
like mini Gregs in terms of coloring.
Are we hoping for some gingers
from a ginger and a family of many
gingers Will they make it through?
What do we think?
Taylor: So we already were hoping with
the with the boys and so I think even more
now we're just like so excited Are they
gonna be are any of them gonna have red
hair We do we just think that would be so
cute We we really do We would love it I
A lot of people don't know this Gregory
is half Mexican he's half polish he does
have light features on his dad's side
and he gets red hair in his beard And
so it is there It's there somewhere And
Emily: Okay.
Taylor: people yeah
Emily: it makes through.
Taylor: people don't know it has to come
from both sides we're just kind of hoping
that from his side spills out and just
to see because how fun you know as a kid
you don't you don't appreciate it as much
And I think when you get older you just
really it grows on you No pun intended
Emily: Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.
Well look from from myself.
I really hope that one makes it through.
So good luck.
Little gingers.
Fight through that tan, tan skin.
So you're, you've started
sharing your journey and I think
you've become an accidental mum
influencer, and I love your content.
It's fun.
you use some really funny over the
top sounds and, and things like that.
So talk me through it.
And I think, hold on.
You were at like 70 K I think when
we first started talking, and now
you're at 126k, which is great.
Congrats.
Something's obviously going
viral, unsurprisingly, but talk
me through, how did you, how has
that been, being a momfluencer,
obviously a bit of a funny title.
Do you enjoy it?
How do you make your content and are
people nice or what's that like?
Taylor: It was an accident and um it all
started when I my husband's reaction and
I videotaped it with the idea of posting
it at some point given his permission
And um cause what cause what a surprise
you know even if it's just for my family
and friends to see So that's the one that
kind of kicked it off And I think it's
just because it's such a unique situation
and that people are interested in it and
kind of wanna see what happens from there
Like how do you look away Like what is
this this gonna end it was an accident
however it's very very funny in a way I
say funny but world works itself out the
way it's supposed to I always felt like
I needed to share something with someone
I needed to share with the world I needed
to help someone somehow help people um
be available to to people Um I always
said that I felt as though put me on
this earth to love on people That was my
that's been kind of my mantra for a very
long time And I contribute my very strong
desire to become a mother to that as well
I just feel like it's the ultimate form
of love and um I I just started having
these floods of dms from people that
have been in similar situations or even
just with twins or that are going through
infertility struggles and things like
that And I have talked to so many women
in this short amount of time I I get a
lot from it too I mean these people are
incredible these moms And I I just think
that it has been a community and it's a
community that I almost that I would've
had before when I felt as though I was
alone that's kind of what I has turned
into at least it's my intention is just to
have a place where people feel comfortable
talking about the things that they go
through with motherhood specifically
with multiples if that's the case with
infertility Um and that's that's kind of
where I'm leaning towards and I Do kind
of you you hinted at it um attribute some
of the growth of my page um to just being
honestly like very real um very open very
goofy My husband and I actually are like
very silly Like I like to I like to joke
about a lot of things you know Um and
um just being kind of relatable because
even to this day I follow many pages that
um know if they're always good for the
soul you know with these lies that seem
unattainable and these just unrealistic
like situations and expectations and
I I just it's not like that for us You
know we have fought through parenthood
until this point and it looks like we are
still going to be fighting through and I
don't think that that is something that
is to be ashamed of and I don't wanna
hide it because there are so many people
um that can benefit from that And that
I could have been benefited from um when
I was struggling I I just needed to feel
heard and to feel normal in what I was
going through So um ultimately the page
is at this point um a lot of sharing of my
story A lot of talking about infertility
if it comes up and also just being kind
of silly and you know laughing at what we
can you know because I I think that helps
so much And I think for that reason people
are sticking around and I'm so grateful
for it because if there is anything I
can possibly do to make someone feel
like what they're going through is normal
and to feel validated that that's that
is the ultimate form of success for me
Emily: Yeah, that's beautiful.
And I do think that a lot of parents,
especially those where, yeah, they
haven't had friends that have had
babies or they haven't got friends
that have got multiples because that's,
again, quite a unique situation.
Or perhaps they've got a A one
baby and a unique situation.
They connect with someone
that's had a similar thing or
fertility issues, et cetera.
I think it is a beautiful place to
connect with people and I love that you
are a person that's able to do that.
I think it takes a lot of courage,
it takes a lot of vulnerability
and sometimes you are open to flak
as well and I think that's quite
courageous to put yourself out there.
So I've no doubt you're
helping lots of people.
and look, I just also wanna put a shout
out there as, as a mom of a multiple, I
would say to people listening to this, if
they follow you or they're interested to
follow you, please keep giving support.
This is a mom, she's doing her
best, she's got two babies.
And then you guys obviously
expecting another three.
Throw love out there.
And I think that another thing I would
say, I mean, I haven't told you this,
but I think if there's ways that people
wanna help you, I'd love to know, like
Taylor, are the, are the ways that people
can help, like do you have a, a PO box,
I don't know if you have that in the
States, but like a, a postal address if
someone wants to send nappies or formula
or whatever it is that you guys need,
I'm sure they'll want to.
Taylor: we do have PO boxes here and um
I have not opened one because this this
whole growth this whole community has
been like I just was totally blindside
by it even as as thankful as I am for
it I did not expect it So I do struggle
with accepting help so I do want to
accept help if we can arrange something
just to accept like you said something
like diapers or whatever it might be
the reality is like it's the the journey's
really just starting and I am not here
to act like everything is going to be
and easy It's not going to be And um
a lot of moms I think can relate to
that And so I I think kind of opening
ourselves up or or creating um a venue
for for accepting help in that way
Emily: Yeah.
Well, look, I hope you do, and I think
there can be some misnomers around that,
but at the end of the day, you guys
are a single income family and you're
expecting, triplets after having twins.
So I think that allowing people
to help you, and I'm sure you
get offers of that already.
So setting it up, and letting people
help you is a great thing to do.
And that I, I'm a person who
struggled to ask for help.
Absolutely.
Was all, all in, I can do this.
You know, I,
Taylor: yes
Emily: the way I was raised was,
you, you say no before you say yes.
people have to keep asking me,
Taylor: yes I
Emily: which is ridiculous.
Sorry.
Taylor: I know You
Emily: Look.
Taylor: so much
Emily: You do, you do.
Because at the end of the day, for you
to be a good parent, in, in the old
days it used to be a community, right?
We were in campfires and, and
communities that were closer.
So especially if you're away from your
family, I think that would be lovely.
Taylor: Thank you
Emily: Now I also wanna just, talk a
little about your support plan as well.
So have you got a bit of a plan in
terms of how you're gonna do that?
Are your family's going to fly in?
Have you got some neighbors ready to go?
Taylor: Yes
Emily: What's the story?
Taylor: Well we we have really really
great friends and really great family
that are willing to do as much as they
can we did move back um to North Carolina
which is where Gregory's mom is and he
she already helps us so much with the
boys and it's such a blessing Um I think
she will be a bit busy when the triplets
come as far as like 24 7 help But I know
that she plans on helping as much as she
can And I have a couple of really great
mom friends here that I have made since
moving back they are even through their
own busy schedules with their kids like
they're so adamant about helping And um
we do we our circle at the time right now
is small but they are really really great
as as far as like in vicinity to us it's
it's a bit small but um I really think
that we're gonna see just everybody kind
of come together help us with what they
can with resources everybody's limited you
know like we're all parents and our time
is limited and sometimes our resources but
I think that stopping in for 10 minutes
or every everybody knows everybody's
ready basically to come and do what they
can So I I have fewer fears now than I
think I would've had if this happened
anywhere else And I just I'm already I'm
already so thankful for everybody that's
really geared up towards giving us their
ti time It's so precious and and they're
they're willing to give us their time
so yeah we're very thankful for that
Emily: You get a lot back from giving
to people, I think, and that's one of
the reasons why I run this podcast is
'cause I wanna help people as well.
And you get a lot from helping people.
So I think people should
remember that as well.
And one thing I just wanna give a
shout out as well, 'cause I spoke to
a quad mom, as you know in another
episode, and she said, sometimes you
don't have time to respond to messages.
So people please be aware that
if Taylor and Greg don't respond.
They might see it, it might
still mean a lot, but they
might just not have the time.
So
Taylor: One hundred percent
Emily: you guys are gonna be doing a lot.
Taylor: Yes
Emily: So just know maybe that you're
seeing it and you're receiving it
and you appreciate it, but you don't
have time to respond, especially
if you keep going above 120 K.
Let's be real.
Taylor: honestly I like I said I'm 19
weeks pregnant now and I think I haven't
been on for a couple of days and I just
I am kind of in this period where I
just almost don't have the energy today
I felt kind of really down like I just
needed to rest So um I I foresee many
days like that and uh I'm always kind of
like peeping in and and kind of looking
sometimes and and people are still being
really supportive and it it is just also
great It just makes me feel it really
puts some pep in your step even when you
feel like I did today So it it really
never goes unnoticed It really doesn't it
Emily: Yeah.
Yeah, well, absolutely.
So people keep those messages and
support coming in rally around these
parents and people in these situations.
I think that's, let's be our best selves
and, and really help lift them up.
Taylor: Yes
Emily: Now we're, we are
just about close to wrap up.
I wanted to do a couple
of, rapid fire questions.
So what was your most used baby product?
Taylor: Mm My Twin Zee baby pillow
I still use it They're almost two
Emily: Got it.
Yeah.
Everyone loves those.
craziest DM you've ever received.
Taylor: Okay Dm oh um Pro probably
the the hate dms that say I
Ooh.
shouldn't be having children if I
don't want multiples or or something
I it they're quite hateful sometimes
But anyways we are trying for
children we're so happy Like how
efficient can you be Five kids and
two pregnancies Are you kidding
Emily: Absolutely.
Yeah.
And look, let's be real.
It seems like the universe
has set you guys up.
You were a professional bodybuilder and
in the military, and Yeah, I think you
guys, and you've got a great supportive
relationship from what I can see with
Greg, which is just so beautiful.
Taylor: sometimes
I
undeserving for how good he is, but he
is, our relationship is great and we just
are ready to do it together as a team,
and I think that's the only way it can
really be done at this point, you know?
Emily: I interviewed a, a mom
that's a breastfeeding, consultant.
And so she had three
and then surprise twins.
So lactation consultant episode.
And so five kids.
And so she said that it really brought
her and her partner together as well.
So I think that's, that's a
common thing to look forward to.
So describe this chapter in three words.
Taylor: Oh, in three words,
I.
do they have to make a sentence
or just three separate words?
Emily: Was three separate
words that come to your mind.
Taylor: well,
crazy,
unexpected, um, and blessing.
That's, that's not an adjective, but
ultimately that's what we feel that it is.
Emily: Love that.
Perfect.
Um, and do you want any more
children after the triplets?
Taylor: that's a big juicy question.
Um, we're not saying no
Emily: Okay, well, you know what,
if you can handle your triplets,
which I, I can already see you.
will, why not?
You know, maybe that's,
that's your journey.
Taylor: yes, yes.
We just need to get through this period
of time and then we'll really evaluate,
but it's definitely not off the table.
Emily: Yeah.
Well, good for you guys.
Okay.
Well look, Taylor, I think we'll,
we'll call it a wrap because we've
gone through a whole lot of things.
We've talked about your journey, your
pregnancy with twins, who you were before.
obviously the, the nicu, the feeding,
the sleeping, and then talking about
that moment of finding out with the,
the triplets and where you're at now.
Look, I've really enjoyed this.
I hope that you've enjoyed coming
on the podcast today, and I do
think that this will resonate with
a lot of parents, no matter whether
they've got their first or multiples
or whatever their version might be.
So thank you so much for coming on the
pod, really enjoyed having you on today.
Thanks
Taylor: Emily.
Emily: If you enjoy this episode, make
sure you hit the subscribe button and
give us a rating so that the algorithm
sends us to more parents just like
you, to ensure they're better set up
to thrive rather than just survive.