Columbus' first set of sextuplets will celebrate their first Christmas this year in a new home surrounded by family. Now six months old, the sextuplets are growing normally and their parents say some Central Ohio good Samaritans have come forward to provide assistance for the holidays and beyond.
Many of the six babies were sleeping in the family room in swing sets and on blankets. Rozonno Junior, Josiah, Isaac, Madison, Elijah, and Olivia, she was the one crying. They were born June 9th, 13 weeks early weighing a total of 10 pounds. Now after their six month checkup they each weigh 11 to 13 pounds. Proud mother Mia McGhee says they are developing on schedule. The babies are teething and some are trying to crawl.
"They were analyzed for developmental issues. They are right where they are supposed to be actually, a few of them are more advanced than what they were expecting," explained Mia McGhee.
The 30 year old mother and her husband 31 year old Rozonno Senior turned to fertility drugs after years of being unsuccessful in conceiving. Then last year, Mia became pregnant with twins, but later lost the babies.
"What we went through to get to this point to even have a child and for God to see us as worthy of having six, we count it all joy," said Mia McGhee. The babies are on a routine now. There are five feedings a day. One is at 3 a.m. when the couple is often alone with the sextuplets. Rozonno Senior says he acts as the motivator in the wee hours.
"Whenever I wake up in the morning or my wife wakes up in the morning, we always say hey it's the M team it's the McGhee team. Let's wake up. Let's do this. We've got to feed these babies, said Rozonno McGhee.
Rozonno Senior says life is better now that they have a new home. The couple moved in about a month ago from their old Linden area house. It only had two bedrooms and one bath. This one in Gahanna has four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. A Central Ohio couple read about the family's story and wanted to help.
"We didn't have storage space. Our basement it flooded every time it rained. It had issues on Denune. It was an older house. It was built in 1913. It was a drafty house. It was not good for babies. So we had to move," said Mia McGhee. The McGhee's say they could not pass up the arrangement to rent a new home. The generous couple also raised enough money to buy a 3 year old minivan that can seat the entire McGhee family. The couple also gets help everyday from church volunteers. Like Akyshia Pearsall, who has learned how to handle the 6 different babies.
"Every baby has their own personality. All of them have a different personality and you have to learn their personality in order to deal with them. Like some just like to be held. Some don't want you to hold them they just want you to change them, feed them and lay me down," said Pearsall.
Church volunteers also help the McGhee's wash the sextuplets' laundry.
Local companies have also helped out with free formula and diapers. The McGhee's say they appreciate the generosity but understand these are hard times.
"We're not looking for any hand outs from anyone. We appreciate every single body that has even thought about us and been concerned about us in that way. This is right now I know it's a hard time in the economy, we don't expect anyone to do anything for us," said Mia McGhee.
Mia left her job to care for the babies. Rozonno Senior set up the McGhee carpet and upholstery cleaning business to tailor his work schedule for his family. The couple plans to give back to others in need. Mia says she has reached out to other sextuplet families across the country for emotional support. The family looks forward to making holiday memories.
"This is really a dream come true. It's surreal, but it's a dream come true. I can buy gifts for my family now, instead of for everybody else, said Rozonno McGhee.
"We truly thank God for each and every one of them each and every day," said Mia McGhee.
The McGhee's are likely to get more help when they travel to Los Angeles in January to appear on Oprah Winfrey's new network show.
