When the Fourth Arrives

Mary Kathryn and Brian Aston always wanted four kids. They, along with (from left) Brooks, 2, Caroline, 6, and Thompson, 4, welcomed baby Davis in March. (Photo: Tiffiny Gist Photography)

Buzz Baby is a column about life with babies from the perspective of a first-time mother. If you have baby stories to share, leave a comment under this article or email [email protected].

Since I became a mom last summer, I’ve gotten really good at multi-tasking. I recall a moment in our kitchen. I was rocking my daughter in her rocker with my foot, holding my son (her twin) and feeding him with the bottle propped under my chin, on the phone with their pediatrician’s office – while feeding the dog.

Most moms are notoriously good at multi-tasking, and they seem to get better as each kid comes along. This month, I dedicated Buzz Baby to moms who have four little ones.

Mom-of-four Mary Kathryn Aston recently found herself on her 6-year-old daughter Caroline’s school field trip at the Houston Zoo. She brought along Caroline’s third and newest baby brother, 5-week-old Davis.

“That’s the biggest challenge with having four is that there is just not just enough mommy to go around. I have an incredible amount of mommy guilt,” said Mary Kathryn. 

While most new, first-time moms are home in pajama pants, trying to figure out how to nurse, moms of four don’t always get that luxury.

“Caroline was like, ‘Oh Mom, aren’t you going to come on the field trip?’ So I nursed my way through the field trip because I do not want to say no to anyone,” said Mary Kathryn.

Mary Kathryn and her husband Brian, a natural gas broker, have dated since the ninth grade. She attended Stratford High School, and he was at Bellaire High School.

“We always wanted number four. Even before we got married. We just weren’t planning on it at that moment,” Mary Kathryn said, laughing.

As far as the older siblings, Thompson, 4, Brooks, 2, and Caroline, adjusting to life at home with a new baby brother is going all right. “Caroline is obsessed. I might as well been a surrogate for her. If I wasn’t nursing, I don’t think I’d ever be allowed to hold him,” Mary Kathryn said.

“Brooks is the one that when he [Davis] came home, he kicked the baby swing and said, ‘I don’t like that baby. Get that baby out of here.’” Now, she says, he says, “I love my baby. That’s my baby.”

“But the holidays [when the kids are grown] are going to be so fun. I’m so excited for those times. Hopefully we’ll have a full house,” said Mary Kathryn. “Even if someone can’t make it, there are three others who can.”

Leslie and Jason Mathers, along with (pictured) Addison, 11, Jack, 9, and Ella, 7, welcomed baby Helen Monroe eight months ago.

Stay-at-home mom Leslie Mathers and her husband Jason, owner of Monarch Landscape Management, were high school sweethearts and have been married for 15 years. They weren’t exactly planning all along on having a fourth baby, but say it’s been a blessing to them.

“I remember the day I found out. I was so surprised. My husband was in a meeting with his employees and could not answer the phone so I sent him a text,” said Leslie. “He was so excited and came home to give me a kiss.” 

Don’t be so quick to give away all those baby items and clothes, warns Leslie. “I was so nervous because it had been six years since I had a baby, and we did not have [any baby gear]. I had given everything away so we were starting over.”

To throw a little more in the mix, the family was in a temporary home as they remodeled their home. “I thought to myself, ‘How am I going to do this?’ We actually moved into our home two weeks before her arrival,” said Leslie.   

They welcomed Helen Monroe eight months ago, along with with older siblings Addison, 11, Jack, 9, and Ella, 7. “They fell in love with her the moment she arrived. I can’t imagine life without her,” said Leslie.

The Mandola family, including parents Ashley and Dominic, keep full schedules of sports, birthday parties and school activities for their four kids: baby Anna, 5 months, Dominic Jr., 5, Ryan Elizabeth, 6, and Gia, 3.

Ashley Mandola, a real estate agent, and her husband, Dominic, owner of Ragin Cajun and L.A. Bar restaurants, had their fourth child, Anna, in November. Anna was welcomed by older siblings Ryan Elizabeth, 6, Dominic, 5, and Gia, 3. Ashley and Dominic had always wanted four children.

Although most times are fun, having four kids can get hectic and, well, messy. “I remember one day I was unloading groceries. It was raining outside,” said Ashley. “My kids discovered dog poop [an accident in the house]. It was all over the walls. All over them. I was on edge that day. Once I got through it, I was fine. You just gotta let go.” 

She reminds other moms to enjoy this time that flies by. “It’s like one day the back door blows open, and children come in. The wind blows through the house, which is where we are at. Then the wind opens the front door, and the children will go out.”