Nia and Robert Tolbert were just your everyday, regular couple. They were raising their only son, Shai when a seemingly joyous turn of events changed things for them forever. The news of Nia’s second pregnancy was exciting for them both. However, they were not prepared for what would come next.

This wasn’t the only surprise they would receive regarding their family. Let’s take a look at the unbelievable events that took place in the Tolbert’s lives that even led Robert to faint on one occasion. This family now knows to always expect the unexpected and to never assume things will be easy. Let’s get started!

Meet The Tolberts, An Everyday, They-Could-Be-You Couple

Nia and Robert started dating and they felt an instant connection. Their relationship was going very well and they were thankful that they had met each other. Like any other couple, they had their good and bad times but they were convinced they were soulmates.

Despite this certainty, they had decided to take things slow. Not rushing into a wedding didn’t mean they weren’t committed to each other. They appreciated their relationship very much and were happy to grow together as individuals. However, soon enough, things would change for these two.

The First Little Tolbert Arrives; So Far So Good...

After approximately four years together, they received some news that overflowed them with joy. They were going to become parents! Nia and Robert had more than enough time to get to know each other and enjoy their relationship. They were now confident that it was the right time to build a family.

The couple was jubilant with the news and very thankful to have given birth to a healthy boy whom they called Shai. The sleepless nights and dirty diapers were not a huge issue because Robert and Nia made a great team. However, things were going to get complicated very soon.

More Than They Bargained For (Like, Waaay More)

The two love birds were proud to see their son Shai grow up as a healthy and intelligent boy. Unexpectedly, Nia found out that she was pregnant again! The couple probably hoped that they would be having a girl this time. That way, they would have the best of both worlds in their household.

When they went to their first ultrasound appointment, they were very excited. Although it was unlikely that they would know the gender so early on, getting to see a glimpse of their upcoming child was a great moment for them. However, the specialist had some shocking details to share. And this would prove to be just the second part of their exciting three-stage story.

They Got Into Their Relationship Oblivious To What Waited Ahead

Nia and Robert met in 2007 thanks to the intervention of a mutual friend, and soon enough, a beautiful love blossomed between them. What they couldn’t have expected was the rollercoaster ride their lives would take very soon. Despite this, Nia and Robert will be forever grateful for that pivotal day.

Knowing they had found the right person was relieving for them. No more of the awful anxiety that comes with dating to find the perfect match. Nia and Robert focused on getting to know each other and determining where the relationship would go. They found that their personalities were very compatible.

In The Beginning They Took Things Slow

Nia and Robert were very much in love! Meeting each other had been one of the greatest things that had happened to them. Years went by and their relationship only grew stronger. After four years together, many people would’ve been rushing to tie the knot but this wasn’t the case for them.

They knew that their love was going to last without needing to sign papers to establish this. They probably weren’t opposed to getting married but they simply were not in a hurry to do so. Furthermore, having a baby would make them focus on other things soon enough.

Then Little Shai Came A-Knocking

Giving birth to their son Shai in 2011 changed Nia’s life forever. Robert was deeply committed to parenthood as well and together, they waded through the difficult waters of parenting. Thanks to their effort as a team, things went smoothly and they faced no major issues during Shai’s first years of life.

They saw Shai become a toddler and began considering adding more children to the household. They had always joked about having a big family. However, they decided to take another step first. It was time to make things official in the Tolbert family once and for all.

They Got Married 3 Years After Shai's Birth

When Shai was three years old, Robert and Nia decided to celebrate their union. Nia wore a simple, yet beautiful wedding dress and Robert looked lovely as well. They knew that they had been committed to each other way before they decided to make it public, however, it was a great opportunity to celebrate their love.

Now, Robert and Nia are officially the Tolberts, with Shai as the firstborn and center of their attention. Nia and Robert wanted to have more children but, as usual, they were in no rush to do so. The pace at which they took their lives allowed them to enjoy each experience.

Parenthood Was A Blast...

Now that Shai was a toddler, certain things were much easier. Potty training was probably on track and he was able to eat without making messes as big as before. The hectic lifestyle which surrounds having a newborn had died down and now they had a very active kid running around the house.

They focused on making sure he adopted a healthy lifestyle, as a growing boy. Without planning too much for it, they soon realized they had a surprise for Shai. Nia was expecting again and they couldn’t be happier about it. Maybe this time it would be a girl, to add some more feminine power to the household.

...So They Decided To Up Their Parenting Game

Nia and Robert knew that having both a toddler and a newborn at home would be challenging, however, they felt very blessed. Having a second child at this time was almost perfect. That way, there wouldn’t be a huge age gap between the siblings. Shai would gain a new playmate.

The Tolberts were prepared for the money they would have to spend to raise another child. Furthermore, they probably had a lot of Shai’s old items that they could pass down to the family's newest member. When it was time to go to the first ultrasound, they couldn’t wait to see their child. They were in for a big surprise.

Wait, How Many Heartbeats Now?

The ultrasound specialist asked the Tolberts a very specific question during their appointment. He asked them if multiple pregnancies ran in the family. The answer was yes in both Nia’s and Robert’s cases. And now, they were part of this group as well. They were having twins!

This was shocking news for both of them. They had been expecting a new addition but not two! They would need to readjust everything around the house and prepare their mindsets for double what they had bargained for. Nia and Robert were about to be outnumbered in their household.

They Counted Their Blessings And Found Them Plus One

They would have never anticipated this. However, despite the worries and the change in plans, Nia and Robert were very happy. They were very religious and considered this as one more blessing to their lives. They would be getting two kids at the same time and they couldn’t wait.

The couple was determined to find ways to make it work. They started to prepare everything for the arrival of their newest blessings. A few weeks later, they found out that they would be welcoming two more boys! Shai was very excited about having brothers to play with.

Twin Baby Brothers In Da House!

In 2015, Nia and Robert welcomed their second and third child. The twins were identical and they decided to name them Riley and Alexander. If they ever thought they had their hands full when Shai arrived, they were in for quite a treat.

They were now the proud mom and dad of three precious boys. Shai was understandably thrilled. However, the babies wouldn’t be able to play with him that much; at least not yet. Nia and Robert were getting a full workout every day, taking care of their children.

Raising Three Super-Energetic Boys Is A Full Time Job

As the twins began to get older and started walking, the house became messier than ever. Three energetic children can be quite destructive without meaning to. This meant that the Tolberts were running around fixing broken things and making sure the kids were playing safely.

They probably didn’t even get to exercise since they were so busy with their children. Regardless, Nia and Robert were glad to hear their tiny footsteps all over the house. The pair continued to show that they were determined to conquer this beautiful and exciting challenge.

Three And Done. At Least That's What They Thought...

Nia and Robert decided three children was a big enough number for them. This way, they would be able to care for them without feeling overwhelmed. They were already very busy so having another child was not an option for them. When asked, Nia would categorically say that no more children would be coming their way.

Instead, they focused on raising their three boys. Shai showed great responsibility as an older brother and he cared deeply for his siblings. This made things easier in the household. Having three little boys was not easy, but they knew once they went off to college, years from now, they would deeply miss these days.

Lightning Does Strike Twice (And Thrice)

The thing about making plans is that they often change without any type of warning. We can have all the next steps in our lives figured out and things might still change and take us off course. Just as it had happened before, Nia and Robert were surprised to find out that, contrary to their plans, they were expecting again!

This meant change would have to take place in the family home once more. Nonetheless, they continued to trust God and the plan they felt he had for them. This would be the last one for sure though. Their savings account must have been stretched thin already, caring for their three boys.

God Was Very, Very  Generous With His Gifts

One thing to be said about Robert and Nia is that they were always ready to welcome their children with love. No matter how difficult things could get due to having such a large family, they were always joyful to learn that they would have another child.

For many, they would probably run to the hills at the thought of having so many kids in such a short period. However, the Tolberts came from big families themselves. Despite not planning to emulate their families, they were not unfamiliar with the mechanics of a big household and they were ready for it.

Nia Had A Hunch That Something Was Different...

This time around, Nia felt something was different. Having had two pregnancies already, she knew what to anticipate regarding her health and her body while she was carrying a new life inside of her. She couldn’t pinpoint what exactly had changed, but something was not quite like her other pregnancies.

This caused her to worry a bit, however, she didn’t let it overwhelm her. She would wait until her appointment and address any concerns there. Nia had no specific reason to believe something was necessarily wrong. In fact, she had a theory as to why things felt different this time around.

Could A Girl Be On The Way This Time?

Nia thought she might be feeling this way because she was expecting a girl. However, she had no way to know for sure as yet. She would have to wait until her doctor’s appointment to be sure of it. She scheduled her consultation and waited.

Nia was excited to see the little one she would bring into the world. She had a girl’s trip with her friends after her appointment so she could unwind. In spite of her experience with the twins, Nia never suspected she would be sharing such surprising news with her friends only a few hours later.

Three Girls, Actually. And That's When Dad Hit The Floor

Robert and Nia are a very resilient couple. They have faced challenging times during their relationship but thanks to their love and commitment toward each other, they have overcome. However, Robert had an unpredicted reaction when he received the results from Nia’s ultrasound. Nia left him a surprise before heading out for her trip.

When Robert got home he found a gift waiting for him. It was an ultrasound that pointed out the presence of three figures tagged as A, B, and C. Furthermore, some clothes were on the bed. Three onesies were waiting for him. Robert’s shock was so great that he passed out right then and there.

What Are The Odds Of Multiples?

When the specialist asked Nia again if there was a history of multiples in the family, she assumed she was expecting twins. She was almost ready to leave when the specialist asked her to come back to double-check something on the ultrasound.

They wanted to make sure there were only two babies. As it turns out, there were three! Nia was pregnant with triplets! She was beyond surprised and she couldn’t wait to tell Robert. This is why she devised this plan to let him know in that cute yet unique way.

Their Bond Grew Stronger With Their Expanding Family

Shortly after Robert’s fainting spell, Nia called him on the phone to see if he had found the surprise she had for him. By then, Robert was mostly recovered from the shock and told Nia what had taken place. Despite his initial and hilarious reaction, Robert was fully on board with this new development.

When the couple shared the news with their families and friends, everyone was very surprised. There would be six children in their household now! The Tolberts would more than likely need a lot of help adjusting after the triplets were born. Even before they left the hospital, these new set of babies were highly adored.

Preparing The Way For The Girls Got Everyone Excited

Once again, Nia and Robert had to alter their lives. Now, they had to make room, not for four children, as they had initially thought, but for six children! Leftover items that belonged to the twins would come in handy but they would need much more than that.

This must have been a scary time for Nia and Robert. Their earnings would probably be spread thinly to permit them to care for so many children at once. However, they never despaired and always trusted that they would make it work. The strength of their relationship surely saw them through.

They Revealed The Babies' Gender In A Spectacular Way

Finally, they got to learn the gender of the triplets. However, on this occasion, they decided to do things a little differently. Instead of finding out at the ultrasound office, they wanted to have a gender reveal party, in the presence of their children, family, and friends. It was the moment of truth.

They popped balloons that would reveal the gender of their triplets. As the first balloon popped, they learned that they would be having a girl; the second and third balloons revealed the same. Nia and Robert would be having three daughters! This was wonderful news. Now things would be very balanced in their home.

Nia Was Feeling The Strain On Her Body Though

Although Nia had experienced this part of motherhood, twice already, she was feeling fuller than ever this time around. Her belly could barely stretch enough to carry the triplets. She was probably more tired than ever, in comparison to her previous pregnancies. She stayed on track with a healthy diet and yoga during this time.

Nia’s third time was taking a toll on her. However, she was happy to do what was best for her unborn babies and naturally, she wanted to have them only when she was at full-term. This is not always what happens when you're expecting multiple babies though.

It Can’t Be Time Already! Right...?

Nia started to feel contractions a few weeks early, but they quickly passed. Only a few days later, she started to experience constant contractions and her mother decided it was time to head to a medical center. It was best to check that everything was ok.

When Nia and her mother arrived there, Nia was quickly examined. Although she believed she would be going home that day, once again, life threw her a curveball and things didn’t go as planned. Nia was now in labor! Talk about a life full of surprises.

The Girls Arrived Early, But In Perfect Health

As it tends to happen in pregnancies involving multiple babies, Nia gave birth early. One thing that helped during this journey was that two of the girls were identical and one was fraternal. This allowed the midwife to have fewer worries for their well-being as the labor risks were lower than if they had all been identical.

Just as they had hoped, the three girls were born in excellent condition. Despite being a little early, everything was going perfectly. They named them Mackenzie, Bailey, and Zuri. To say they were ecstatic to finally have their little princesses is an understatement and now they were going to introduce them to their brothers.

Welcome Home Little Ones

When they went back home, Nia and Robert settled the girls in. Alexander, Riley, and Shai were excited to see their sisters. Nia and Robert probably had to remind them that the girls were not toys. They were their younger sisters and they needed to take care of them.

The family of eight was finally complete. Nia stated that this was definitely the end of the line for them and that she wouldn’t be giving birth again. We think this time she might have meant it. With six kids around, the family was more than complete. Besides, they had the perfect balance between genders.

The Brothers Were Not Impressed

The brothers were slightly disappointed though. They were rooting for the triplets to be boys so that they could all play together, with the games the twins and Shai were accustomed to. However, they quickly got over this and appreciated the fact that they were all older brothers to beautiful little girls.

Nia and Robert would now get to enjoy an entirely new experience by raising their daughters. From braiding their hair to buying cute little dresses, they were looking forward to every part of it. The couple was eager to see all of their kids grow up together.

A Family In Perfect Balance

Now, there were three boys and three girls in the household. Talk about quickly reaching equilibrium! Finally, Nia wouldn’t be dealing with four guys and would now have some feminine company. They were pleased to welcome healthy girls to their vibrant family.

Nia and Robert's journey became very popular and intrigued a lot of people. So much so that media outlets were covering their story and Nia became known as the 1-2-3 mom. This was due to her first having one, then two, and finally, three kids. How rare was this really?

The 1-2-3 Family Hits The News

According to their specialist, for things to happen this way without the aid of in vitro fertilization was extremely weird; especially considering the sequence in which everything had taken place. Nia and Robert simply took it as a blessing, acknowledging the fact that everything had gone well with their pregnancies.

Being a rare phenomenon landed Nia and Robert in numerous interviews on various platforms, including the Today show. This story quickly became viral and they got a lot of support and positive comments from all over the country. Their journey was only beginning, but they wouldn’t be alone.

The Community Stepped Up To Embrace The Tolberts

Thankfully, their family, friends, and neighbors stepped in to shower this family with even more blessings. Everyone was willing to help and give a hand to Robert and Nia. Be it babysitting or giving them heartwarming gifts, people found ways to collaborate.

This meant a lot to the Tolberts. After all, having six kids, all under the age of seven, was no easy feat. However, thanks to their resilience and the support of their community, they managed to push through the first months. As a result, a wave of gratitude washed over them.

Nia & Robert's Family Became A Social Media Sensation

The Tolberts decided to keep everyone updated on their social media profiles. Anyone who is an avid social media user can find Nia and Robert on both Facebook and Instagram. They quickly started gaining followers on both sites as people were fascinated by their story.

Furthermore, it was a way to inspire others to overcome any type of difficulty. No matter how challenging things might be, instead of letting it lead us to depression, all we need to do is follow Nia and Robert’s example and accept what life gives us with a positive attitude.

Enter The Tolbert Brand

They decided to register their family brand as Totally Tolbert. This was a way to get their name out there. Furthermore, it made every interaction through their social media accounts more personal. Their fans were not dealing with influencers or salespersons but with a family.

Their posts online are filled with positivity and candid moments caught on camera. Thanks to their moving messages, they have gotten thousands of followers on Instagram. They dedicate some time every week to updating their family profile. We’re sure the kids will have their own profiles when they get older.

Nia Started Her Own Personal Brand Too

Nia wasn’t only interested in starting a family brand, she also wanted to promote other things that were very important to her. These things were directly related to her lifestyle. After becoming a mom to six children, Nia focused more on her yoga and wellness classes.

She decided to launch her brand called Motherloving Yoga in 2017. She wanted to show that she was able to keep up with other things despite becoming a very busy mom. Nia wants to make sure that the message regarding the benefits of yoga and meditation reaches everyone.

They Turned To Crowdfunding For A Much-Needed Upgrade

The Tolberts decided to make use of social media and the internet for another thing. They needed to upgrade their car since they would now have to fit six children inside, all at once! However, they already had more than enough expenses with everything else related to their children.

They decided that crowdfunding was the best way to go. Therefore, they opened a Fundly profile explaining what they needed and why they needed it. They have been steadily raising a good amount and they hope that, one day, it will be high enough for them to purchase their new vehicle.

Raising Six Kids Was No Joke, And It Started To Show

Not every day is an easy day for the Tolberts. Far from it. Even though they try to keep a positive attitude, Nia has been very honest about her struggles from time to time. She has even stated that sometimes, at the end of the day, she might end up in tears with how crazy things can get.

Managing their six kids is a challenge. The amount of food, clothing, and attention required are immense and it can become unbearable at times. Working together helps but there are times when they both wonder how they are going to keep doing it the next day.

Love Is The Fuel That Keeps This Family Going

However, love reigns at the Tolberts’ household. This helps them to overcome the difficulties they have to face every day. Furthermore, they are thrilled to hear the boys running around and they were over the moon when the girls said their first words. They already see the distinct characteristics of each of their children.

Nia and Robert also see the similarities between the girls and the boys; not only physically, but also with their personalities. They already know that Mackenzie is going to be a wild child given the many antics in which she constantly gets involved. Things like this make their days and all of it, worth it.

The Family's Instagram Followers Can't Get Enough Of Them

This is why they have taken to Instagram to keep their families, friends, and fans updated on the growth of their six children. They celebrate their birthdays as well as their accomplishments. When Mackenzie said her first words and she was calling for her brother Shai, everyone was amazed.

Furthermore, they constantly celebrate how different twins Alexander and Riley are regarding their personalities. For them, sharing their experience as parents is a magnificent journey. Furthermore, they want to inspire others through their social media and invite them to enjoy every minute of their lives.

At The End Of The Day, It All Comes Down To Comradeship

Sometimes Robert or Nia need a bit of a break and they know they can leave the kids with their partner without any issues. This team effort is one of the biggest strengths they have as a family. Other times, Robert will take all the boys with him and Nia will take the girls, or vice-versa.

These variations allow them to develop close relationships with their children. They hope that by the time they decide to head off to university, they will have raised good young men and young women. For now, they get to enjoy every one of the milestones reached by their wonderful and beautiful children.