Saturday, April 08, 2000
Quints' sleep-deprived parents still smiling
BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Michelle and Michael DiLullo hold quints James, Daniel, John, Lauren and Angelina. In front is 2-year-old Anthony.
(AP photo)
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SIDNEY, Ohio — Some parents dream of a long weekend alone in a peaceful oasis. But the parents of the DiLullo quintuplets would settle for an hour at the local diner.
With five newborns to feed, change and rock around the clock, Michael and Michelle DiLullo have learned the true meaning of the term “sleep-deprived.”
“We sleep two to five hours a day, if we're lucky,” the weary but smiling couple said in unison during a press conference Friday at their church, St. John's Lutheran.
“We've had no time to ourselves except the car ride here,” Mrs. DiLullo said.
Even the few cherished hours a night would be unlikely without many volunteers to help prepare 350 bottles of formula each week and guide it into the tiny, hungry mouths. Not to mention changing 350 disposable diapers, doing 21 huge loads of laundry a week and myriad other chores.
“Without all the help, we simply would not be able to function,” Mrs. DiLullo said.
The parents are feeling the strain, but the babies are thriving. James Andrew, Angelina Marie, Lauren Renee, John David and Daniel Fred made their debut by Caesarean section in just five minutes Jan. 18, at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton.
Ten weeks premature, the quints were all home by March 19. All now weigh nearly double their birth weight. Only James requires oxygen and daily medication, and he shouldn't have any long-term problems, Mr. DiLullo said.
The boys share one crib, the girls another. The brown-haired quints are already exhibiting distinct personalities.
Daniel demands the first bottle. John, the big burper, likes being close to his brothers. James is sensitive and emotional. Angelina is independent. Lauren Renee loves snuggling with her sister.
The quints were the first born in the United States in 2000. Only about 15 sets are born nationwide each year.
Mr. DiLullo, a pharmacist, and his wife, a homemaker, live in Sidney, about 90 miles north of Cincinnati. The DiLullos also have a 2-year-old son, Anthony, who adores his siblings.
Watching Anthonyreach milestones such as walking and toilet training often causes the 33-year-old parents to look at each other and wonder about when that's multiplied by five.
But they focus on daily needs and do not dwell on the “what ifs” or such things as college funds.
“But we were thinking that if they all get part-time jobs, maybe newspaper routes, they can afford a car all on their own,” Mr. DiLullo said, laughing.
The family recently moved from their small home into the newly enlarged home of Mrs. DiLullo's parents, Ginny and Marion Leapley, who said Friday they take their daily turns helping in the overnight hours.
Most of the four to 10 daily volunteers who arrive about 9 a.m. and stay until about midnight are family, friends and church members.
The deeply religious parents said they've never questioned the multiple births, and have faith that God will see them through.
“Sometimes I look in the cribs and say, "Wow, what a miracle.' Even when they're all crying, I think, "They'd make a good choir',” Mrs. DiLullo said.
They try not to worry about how much of the six-dig it hospital bills insurance will not cover. Businesses have donated car seats, swings, toys, strollers, a six-month supply of diapers, and coupons or formula to last several weeks.
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