One, plus three ... "always a challenge, and rewarding"

As Shelly Fontenot says, “I never dreamed that I would give birth to 4 children..and now raising four teenagers. It has always been a challenge in every way possible. However, it’s also so rewarding.”
Seventeen years ago, on July 31, 1997, Tommy, Jr. and Shelly Fontenot Trosclair of Eunice became parents of quadtruplets.
Tyler weighed 3 pounds and 6 ounces, Layni weighed 2 pounds and 10 ounces, Lynzi weighed 3 pounds and 12 ounce, and Alec weighed 2 pounds and 9 ounces.
Add one baby plus three...what do you get? Four times diaper changes, four times baby formula, four times clothing wear, four times getting up in the middle of night.
Then there were celebrations and special events times four...first birthdays, second birthdays, kindergarten, middle school, junior high, Sweet 16 birthday parties, and high school.
And now the Trosclair siblings are seniors at Eunice High School. They have experienced junior prom and homecomings, and now are looking forward to graduation times four next spring
The quads experienced many fun events and times together growing up as children and as a family though the family unit separated.
Shelly and Tommy, Jr. divorced in 2006. The quads had to adjust to a single head-of-house hold as they lived with their mother.
Financially and “time-frame-wise” things were tough as Shelly took on a full-time job as a Food Specialist at Country Day Nursery School and remains there today. However, as she says, she was fortunate to have help and became more dependent on many family members and friends.
“They were my babysitters, my taxi cab drivers, my chef, my nanny, and much more,” said Shelly with a smile and laugh. “I think they were happy to help out and loved spending time with the kids.”
Now that the quads are 17 they all hold down part-time jobs after school. Tyler and Alec are employed at Winn Dixie, Layni works at Trosclair Photography, and Lynzi is employed at Oliva Dodd Dance Studio. “Proud of all of them. They know and have learned work-ethics and are good at their jobs. They work to earn their own spending money, which works out for them and me,” said Shelly.
The four have flourished into young adults. Staying active in school, playing extra-curricular sports, becoming involved in different school clubs and meeting new friends have helped them to become who they are. “I think they had to mature earlier than their friends, and had to take on more responsibilities at a younger age.”
At home the family shares 1 car... yes...one car for a five-member family. “It’s hard with all of our schedules but we work it out.” And they have a family dog that is a Multipoo named Rosco.
At Eunice Junior High, both boys played football and Tyler played basketball and ran track. Lynzi was a cheerleader both years at junior high, served as captain her 8th grade year, and played basketball and ran track.
At Eunice High, Lynzi is part of the Student Council, and participated in the St. Landry Parish Fitness Rally placing third over-all. She is a member of FBLA and yearbook staff.
Layni was a member of Eunice Jr. High Sparkles Dance team both years, serving as captain during her 8th grade year.
As a high school freshman, Tyler played baseball, basketball and ran track, and during his sophomore year he was part of the track and basketball teams which he still is. Tyler was voted Class Favorite his sophomore year. He is proud of his District Championship in Track.
Alec has played baseball since his freshman year. He has pitched, played shortstop and second base and plans to play outfield in the upcoming season.
Layni was a softball statistician her freshman through junior years at Eunice High. She is currently an honor student and is part of the ACT 22+Club, Yearbook Club, FBLA Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, Pay It Forward, and accepted in the AHEC Program and Day with Doctors program.
At Eunice High, Lynzi was member of Emeralds Dance team, played softball, and ran track during her freshmen year. During her sophomore year she was part of the Varsity Cheerleaders, and ran track. Her junior and senior year she has cheered for the Bobcats and is currently serving as co captain. She is active in FBLA, and is on staff of the Yearbook.
This fall, Lynzi and Layni were named Homecoming Court maids.
The quads have “shared” things, experiences, and much more with each other throughout their 17 years.
Lynzi said, “Growing up as a quad had many difficulties, however, the good part about it is that you are never alone and you always have someone around. The bad thing...is that you have to share things sometimes.
Tyler said, “I’m glad I accomplished my goal of getting a job. I have been setting personal goals ever since and achieving them. Growing up as a quad was very interesting, a lot of ups and downs. It’s great to know that you have three siblings that you can fall back on for anything. You are never alone with anything you do. When we are all together most of the time it is fun and no worries. Sometimes arguments come around and we don’t see eye to eye, That’s never fun going through but in the end it makes us appreciate being with each other more. Sometimes we were not able to do things because of the cost.”
Alec said, “Being a quad is not as awesome as some people make it out to be. We are all different. Nobody likes the same things. Growing up as a quad was a great experience, but I didn’t then and don’t now pay attention to the fact that we were all born at the same time, or the fact that we are quads.. it really hasn’t hit me I guess.”
He added, “It can be difficult at times but we always seem to find a way out of the difficulties in life. When one door closes another one opens. You can’t always look at the bad things in life.
“Financially we don’t have it all, but I have two great parents; even though they aren’t together they are both still and always will be my mom and dad.
“They have for the most part done their job as parents. Sure there are bumps in the road but it makes us stronger individuals to overcome and deal with them. What is present you can’t change...it is what it is.”
Layni added, “Growing up I always had someone to play with and never got bored. Once I entered high school I hated sharing everything with my sister... and they all started getting on my nerves. However, now it’s good.”
Shelly said as a mother, she is certainly proud of their involvements in extra curricular at school, and after school hours, however, she is most proud of all four as they have maintained an honor roll average throughout their school years. “Now that’s a success story!”
Layni plans to attend LSU Eunice to study radiology and then transfer to McNeese State University.
Lynzi plans to attend McNeese to study athletic training and desires to become part of the McNeese Cowboys cheer squad.
Tyler is unsure of his plans after graduation. “I’m not 100 percent sure of the course I want to take after graduation. However, I do want to become successful with whatever career I choose. I do plan to attend college.”
Alec’s plans after graduation are undecided.