Mom Gives Birth to Sextuplets: One Baby Stands Out in a Unique Family Journey
Courtney and Eric Waldrop are the proud parents of nine children, including a set of sextuplets, as featured on TLC’s reality series, Sweet Home Sextuplets. The show follows the Waldrop family’s incredible journey, offering viewers a glimpse into life with a large family. According to TLC President Howard Lee, “Our viewers get to see what it’s like to grow from a family of five to a family of eleven.” The series premiered in 2018 and has since captivated audiences, leading to a second season in 2019.
Childhood Sweethearts Turned Parents of Nine
Courtney and Eric Waldrop, described as childhood sweethearts, have been together since middle school. Eric proposed to Courtney during their senior year at Auburn University in Alabama, and they tied the knot in May 2004, just one month after graduating. In 2019, they celebrated 22 years of marriage with a touching Instagram post. Courtney wrote, “Happy 22 years to my life’s love and best friend. God sent us nine little angels, and I needed a strong man by my side.”
The couple’s family journey began with their first son, Saylor. After a heartbreaking miscarriage, Courtney was diagnosed with a clotting disorder that impacted her pregnancies. Despite this, they welcomed twin boys, Wales and Bridge, in early 2012.
The Miracle of Sextuplets
In 2017, Courtney and Eric decided to try for another child, but this time without medical intervention. After another miscarriage, they consulted their doctor, who put Courtney on a low-dose fertility treatment. To their surprise, Courtney became pregnant with six babies. On December 11, 2017, the Waldrops welcomed their sextuplets—three boys and three girls—via cesarean section. The babies weighed between 2 pounds, 4 ounces, and 2 pounds, 14 ounces.
Courtney expressed her gratitude on social media, noting, “God’s timing is always perfect.” The delivery was a massive effort, involving around 40 medical professionals, including nurses, neonatologists, and anesthesiologists.
Adjusting to Life with Six Newborns
Bringing six newborns home was life-changing for the Waldrops. “It’s fun and crazy,” Courtney shared. As the sextuplets grew, life only became busier. When the babies started crawling, Eric described it as a “different kind of exhaustion.” Despite the challenges, the Waldrops adapted. Eric admitted, “It’s not easy, but we make it work.”
The first season of Sweet Home Sextuplets was so popular that TLC quickly ordered a second season, which premiered in 2019. The show continued to document the family’s unique experiences, from sleepless nights to feeding six hungry babies.
Memorable Moments and Challenges
The Waldrops named their sextuplets Rain, Lake, Rivers, Tag, Blu, and Rawlings, each swaddled in distinct-colored blankets following the ROY G BIV color scheme. “I love unique names,” Courtney said. As the babies grew older, the couple managed to establish a routine, with the sextuplets finally sleeping through the night.
Courtney shared her gratitude during the Christmas season of 2017, reflecting on the meaning of family during the holidays. She also detailed the physical toll her pregnancy took on her body. “I had to consume an enormous amount of calories to keep myself and the babies healthy,” she revealed on social media.
Community Support and Reality TV Fame
The Waldrop family’s journey attracted widespread attention. When they announced the sextuplets’ birth in 2017, their community rallied around them, organizing a 5K race and gender-reveal fundraiser to support the growing family. Courtney shared her appreciation, saying, “We’ve been blessed with so much love and support.”
In an interview, Courtney and Eric revealed that they were initially hesitant to allow TLC to film their lives. “We didn’t want to be celebrities,” Eric said. However, they felt compelled to share their faith and the blessings they believed were delivered by a higher power. “We want to show America how good God is,” he added.
Expanding Their Home and Family Life
As their family expanded, the Waldrops realized they needed a bigger home. They began building their dream house, but construction was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For seven months, the family lived in a mobile home on their property. In June 2020, Courtney shared updates about their new house on Instagram, expressing excitement to finally move in.
Despite the challenges of homeschooling their nine children during the pandemic, the couple remained resilient. “It’s a lot, but our faith keeps us going,” Courtney said. Their story continued to inspire viewers across the nation.
Financial Benefits of Reality TV
Opening their lives to the cameras brought financial benefits for the Waldrop family. While TLC doesn’t publicly disclose reality show salaries, producer Terence Michael estimates that families featured on reality shows typically earn about 10% of the production budget per episode. For Sweet Home Sextuplets, this could mean a significant income boost for the Waldrops.
A Bright Future
In addition to the show, Courtney supplemented the family’s income by selling handmade jewelry online. The Waldrops’ Facebook page became a hub for their fans, with Courtney frequently posting updates and new products.
As the Waldrops continue to navigate life with their large family, their story remains a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of community. Sweet Home Sextuplets offers viewers a unique glimpse into the joys and challenges of raising nine children, and the Waldrops’ journey is far from over.