Testing Grounds The latest industry being outsourced to India is clinical drug trials. And any number of tragic things can happen on the way to your medicine cabinet.
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
They got rid of their coffee table to make room for their ultimate treasures: Jillian, Cameron, Cash and Jack.
The quadruplets, born seven weeks ago at Bayfront Medical Center, made a heartwarming centerpiece in their parents' living room this week. Mostly, they slept.
The word "blessing" flows easily from Jenna and Ryan Walker's lips when they talk about the babies born after a year of trying to conceive and a regimen of fertility treatments.
"The fourth time, we were very blessed and I became pregnant,'' said Jenna Walker, 29, a kindergarten teacher at Fairmount Park Elementary School in St. Petersburg.
That was February. Doctors soon broke the news that there would be several babies.
"It took a while to really sink in,'' said Ryan Walker, 27, a managing partner at Lee Roy Selmon's Restaurant in Bradenton.
The high-risk pregnancy required 11 weeks of bed rest, the latter nine at Bayfront Medical Center. The babies were born Sept. 12 at Bayfront Medical Center at 31 weeks and four days of gestation. At least five doctors were present for the caesarean procedure, said Dr. Jose Prieto of the St. Petersburg Maternal Fetal Medicine Group, which specializes in high-risk pregnancies. The babies were immediately transferred to All Children's Hospital.
The extended family is ecstatic. Ryan Walker's mother, Mae Hogancamp, and sister, Amanda, reluctantly returned to Jacksonville on Monday. Maternal grandparents Ann and Dan Goodwin of Safety Harbor have rearranged their lives to help with the babies. The Walkers are adjusting to their new role.
"It's so amazing how parents of multiples will adapt. I find that they learn to be real organized real quickly,'' said Dr. Lynne M. Ellis, the babies' pediatrician.
On Monday, Ryan Walker treated his wife to an afternoon birthday dinner at El Cap. She grabbed a hot dog, french fries and root beer.
"You just find joy in this,'' the new mother said of the changes the babies have brought.
"I haven't played golf,'' her husband joked. "I've gone from two days a week to never again.''
Waveney Ann Moore can be reached at wmoore@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2283.
>>by the numbers
32 bottles a day
32 diaper changes a day
What they weighed
Jillian –3 pounds 5 ounces
Cameron – 3 pounds 6 ounces
Cash – 3 pounds 11 ounces
Jack –3 pounds 4 ounces
[Last modified: Nov 10, 2008 04:05 PM]
Comments on this article
by Janel
Nov 10, 2008 4:05 PM
Jenna, you look as beautiful as I remember you from high school. Kim sent this article to me and I'm so excited for you guys!
by Jenna
Nov 10, 2008 1:07 PM
Thank you for your kind, encouraging words. We truly feel blessed. There is no better word to describe it. God is GREAT!
by Sandra (Quad Mom)
Nov 7, 2008 12:41 PM
If God did not intend for them to get pregnant, God would not have made the procedure available!!If somewone you know gets a horrible disease and there is medicine to help, wouldn't you use it or just say God intended for it to be that way?
by Mary Beth
Nov 7, 2008 12:18 PM
How wonderful you look with your little babies, it was a joy to see this picture of you Jennifer...you, your husband and those babies are just beautiful.
by Annette
Nov 7, 2008 11:46 AM
Congratulations to the both of you. I am a mother of twins and am very blessed as well. Yes, GOD IS SO GOOD! He not only blessed them with one baby, He blessed them with 4, how awesome is that? That is our loving, powerful almighty GOD.God bless you.
by Ellen
Nov 7, 2008 10:33 AM
Ms Martin... using that kind of logic, if God wanted someone healed by a heart attack, a person shouldn't go to the doctor for meds or treatment.
These babies have DEFINITELY been blessed by God to have made it as far along in the pregnancy, 32 wks
by Anna
Nov 6, 2008 12:22 PM
Ms Martin no need to be irked by Karen saying God is good. Because GOD IS GOOD... All the time. Those babies are miracles.
by Anna
Nov 6, 2008 12:19 PM
Ms Martin, why would the reference to God irk you? Karen made a TRUE Statement. GOD IS GOOD ! And he is good ALL THE TIME
by Tortilla
Nov 5, 2008 8:50 PM
Hi, Jenn and Ryan; happy to see that you are all doing well. Please let me know if you ever need any help anytime; You are all always in my prayers. God Bless. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
by Ms Martin
Nov 5, 2008 6:26 PM
Beautiful babies indeed. Congrats. The reference to God by Karen irked me tho. If God intended for them to conceive they wouldn't have needed fertility treatments.
by karen
Nov 5, 2008 5:03 PM
what beautiful miracles..god is good!
by GRIMREAPER
Nov 5, 2008 5:03 PM
Better you than me .... LOL ENJOY THEM mine grew up fast ....
by Carol
Nov 5, 2008 5:03 PM
Ryan, I'll be glad to babysit while you go play some golf....8~) They are just adorable. God bless you both!!
by Char
Nov 5, 2008 5:03 PM
You both are very blessed! Your babies are beautiful, and your Uncle Paul had given me the link to your website, and I've been checking everyday for new news. I feel like I'm their auntie! Congratulations and best wishes. Kisses and hugs to each of U
by Lisa
Nov 4, 2008 5:02 PM
Congratulations! How wonderful!
by claire
Nov 4, 2008 4:36 PM
What blessings! Best wishes to these little ones and their parents!
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.