Nadya Suleman took to Instagram on Jan. 27 to celebrate the 13th birthday of her octuplets in a sweet tribute. “Happy 13th birthday to Nariyah, Isaiah, Maliyah, Jeremiah, Noah, Josiah, Jonah, and Makai,” she captioned the post.
“You are all growing into some of the most kind, humble, grateful and loving human beings I have ever known,” the 46-year-old praised her kids. “Each of you possess rare and unique characteristics, and are unlike any other child of your age, particularly in our society today. You are selfless, altruistic, nonmaterialistic, and loving, fearing, followers of God.”
The mother of 14 shared a throwback photo of herself lounging with 11 of her children on a couch. Suleman famously gave birth to her eight children in 2009 via in vitro fertilization, earning her the nickname “Octomom”.
The California mom has previously explained that she got pregnant with the eight children through in vitro fertilization, which she also relied on for six other children she had previously.
“You are not followers of this shallow world, but of a God that created and loves you unconditionally,” added Suleman. “I do not know what I could possibly have done to deserve being blessed so bountifully. I love you ”
Why is Nadya Suleman famous?
The Suleman octuplets are six male and two female children conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) and subsequently born to Nadya Suleman on January 26, 2009, in Bellflower, California.
Residing in Lancaster, California, they are the first known octuplets to survive their infancy. The extremely controversial circumstances of their high-order multiple birth has led to debates in the field of assisted reproductive technology and an investigation by the Medical Board of California of the fertility specialist involved in the case.
The delivery (via a scheduled Caesarean section) involved 46 medical personnel and was practiced twice beforehand at the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Bellflower, California. Suleman carried the babies to 31 weeks.
Doctors anticipated seven babies, so the eighth came as a surprise. Born over the course of five minutes, all eight babies were immediately reported in stable condition; though two required intubation and a ventilator, and another required extra oxygen.
The babies' names are Noah, Maliyah, Isaiah, Nariyah, Jonah, Makai, Josiah, and Jeremiah. Suleman stated that she chose biblical names and gave all eight the middle name Angel, and that their surname would be Solomon, after their biological father.
