And babies make eight...

By Judy Halone-The Courier-Herald

The population around Lake Tapps increased by four when quadruplets were born Oct. 5 to Guy and Lesley Culley.

The three boys and one girl were born at Tacoma General Hospital at 31-1/2 weeks' gestation at 1:09 a.m. A normal pregnancy runs 40 weeks.

Max Dietrich arrived first at 3 pounds, 9 ounces, and 16.5 inches. The only girl, Faith Kristi-Louise, weighed the least at 2 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 14.5 inches. Brothers David Glyndwr, at 3 pounds, 6 ounces, and 15.5 inches, and Rocky Stephen, 3 pounds, 7 ounces and 16.25 inches followed one minute later, with both arriving at 1:11 a.m.

The early-morning event brought a “cast of many” into the delivery room, according to Todd Kelley, media relations manager for MultiCare Health Systems.

From the time Guy, 35, and Lesley, 31, married late last year, they knew Lesley's endometreiosis would prevent her from conceiving but she could would still be able to carry a pregnancy, she said. The couple underwent fertilization treatment in February and found out they were expecting in March. Lesley was ordered to bed rest Sept. 7.

“I struggled each day because of the tremendous headaches and backaches,” she said.

The delivery room audience was astounded at the babies' overall health, Lesley Culley said, and added that only Rocky needed oxygen.

“They call him the ‘little fighter,' and I think that's appropriate because Guy is always saying we named him after Rocky Balboa,” she said.

The newborns will stay in the hospital for a few more weeks until their weights have increased and their sucking reflexes have strengthened.

The babies won't lack for attention, Lesley Culley said. Two of their grandparents - Don and Cindy Simmons from Bonney Lake - and Guy's parents, from Nevada, will make sure the babies are spoiled. Friends from the couple's church, Bethany Baptist in Puyallup, have also stepped up to help out, along with volunteers from nearby Emerald Hills Elementary School.

The family said they will place the babies two to a room in their 3,300 square-foot home and already have a good supply of diapers, thanks to donations from their grandpa Simmons' coworkers and a diaper drive from Salon Escape, Lesley Culley's hair salon.

Leslie Culley said although the pregnancy wasn't always easy, she would “do it all over again.”

“They are such a blessing to us,” she said.

Judy Halone can be reached at jhalone@courierherald.com.

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