Family Hoping for Daughter Gets 12th Son
A Christian couple from Rockford, Mich., who were secretly hoping to have a daughter after having 11 boys already, welcomed their 12th child to the world on Sunday and they were surprised when they discovered mom had given birth to another boy.
Tucker Ray Schwandt, born on Sunday, Aug. 4, was welcomed by his club of older brothers in a rush of excitement at the Saint Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich.
"I never imagined I'd be sitting here with my 12th child," father of the boys, Jay Schwandt, told Fox 17 news.
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The couple named their newest addition after one of his grandfathers, "Ray," who celebrates the same birthday. "We didn't know what he would be when he was first born. We don't find out. It's always a boy, but it's always a surprise," said the newborn's mom, Kateri Schwandt.
Tucker's dad says he was hoping he would have gotten a girl this time around but he simply added to his squad of boys enough to complete a soccer team.
"I'm sure a little girl probably would be fun but we know what we're doing," said the mother. "Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a locker room."
Her experience gained raising 11 boys has made her somewhat of an expert. "The family operates on flow charts and chores, sports and band-aids," notes Fox 17 in their report.
The couple's older son, Ty, 21, helps them keep his brothers in check, but she cautions: "Don't turn your back on them for too long."
"I know how to manage time, and manage a schedule and make sure kids get where they need to be and get picked up when Mom forgets every now and then," said Ty.
Tucker's brothers are happy to be welcoming a new playmate in the house and took the opportunity to help select his name in a family meeting.
"Maybe you wouldn't be surprised what some of the boys came up with," said their father.
"We almost had an Elmo," said Kateri.
The couple have no plans on having more children right now, but they aren't against having more as long as it's medically possible.
If they have a 13th child though, says Jay, he's hoping they will be blessed with a daughter.
