Octo Mom’s Family Album

August 18, 2009

Nap Time

“I just longed for certain connections and attachments with another person that I really lacked,” said Nadya Suleman, 33, (with first-born son Elijah in this undated photo), who grew up an only child.

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Family Meals

What's grandfather Ed Doud's take on his daughter's big brood? "You know what? She needs help." Doud (here with Suleman and grandson Elijah) told Oprah Winfrey in an interview that aired earlier this month. "I say to everybody now -- people -- we do need help."

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Getting Close

What does Suleman think of the scrutiny she's faced after giving birth to eight babies conceived via in vitro fertilization? "Everything out there is lies," the single mom told Us. "It's very easy to judge other people when they don't know that individual - and people out there don't know me."

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Family First

Suleman says motherhood is her first priority. "I cannot maintain a social life and be a mother," the mom of 14 (here with Elijah, now 7) explains "To even take one percent of every night and devote it to someone else would be wrong."

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Baby Steps

Suleman here helps son Elijah with his first steps. "I'd feel them kicking around," Suleman tells Us of how it felt to be pregnant with octuplets, "like [they were] walking on my thighs."

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Adventures with Grandma

While her relationship with Nadya is on the mend, Angela (here with Elijah) still supports her daughter and grandchildren financially and as a caretaker. Within weeks of the octuplets' birth, Nadya also set up a Web site seeking donations from the public to ease the family's financial burden.

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Just Mowing Along

Elijah and Aiden spent time playing in the family's backyard in this undated photograph.

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Bonding Time

"We love her children," school principal Claudia Schrock tells Us of Suleman's three eldest, including Amerah and Joshua, shown here.

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First Introductions

Suleman's mother Angela has allowed her daughter and her expanding family to live with her in a three-bedroom home. "Our relationship is a lot better," Suleman tells Us of mom Angela, "because she knows this situation is real. These are her grandchildren."

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Happy Together

Suleman's six older kids (clockwise: Amerah, Joshua, Elijah, Caleb now 2, Aidan now 3, and Calyssa now 2) came together for this family photo before their eight siblings were born. "They may or may not have wanted that many siblings," Suleman tells Us about her multiple pregnancies, "but I was fixated on wanting so many that I just kept going."

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Stroller Time

With Aidan and Amerah doubled up to fit into a stroller, Suleman, who hasn't held a job since 1999, remained unfazed when asked how she'll transport 14 tykes in the family's seven-seat van. "I'm going to have to buy a 15-seater!"

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Prepared for Motherhood

Suleman, here cuddling up with Amerah, now 6, and Aidan, now 3, says she was more than prepared to welcome her octuplets last month. "Every day, [I became] more ready," she told Today's Ann Curry shortly after their birth. "I don't feel it helps anybody to become overwhelmed."

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Lounging Around

A family friend tells Us that Suleman has gotten offers to help paint and spruce up her home - which a journalist who visited the house deemed "little short of a pigsty."

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Picnics in the Park

Suleman, here with Joshua, now 5, Elijah and Amerah, was paid $100,000 by two American tabloids for separate sets of pictures of her family.

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Sharing Toys

Angela Suleman (spending time with Elijah, Amerah, Joshua and Aidan), is "the heroine," neighbor Thelma Steinweg tells Us of Suleman's mom, who often babysits the kids.

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Say Cheese!

Suleman's son Elijah and a pal were introduced to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time in this undated family photograph.

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Playtime

In a February interview with Today's Ann Curry, Suleman reflected on motherhood, telling Curry that "All children are blessings from God." When questioned how she will provide for all of her children, Suleman replies, "I'm going to do the best I can to give them as much attention as I can with the help of volunteers, friends and family."