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30 Hudson Valley Parent n December 2019 Lutheran Church in Fishkill, a pew is reserved for the expansive family during mass. The Mid-Hudson Chil- dren's Museum in Poughkeepsie has enjoyed the family's twice-monthly visits and Julie's Jungle in Hopewell Junction allows the kids to play within gated areas, an important consideration when tracking a hand- ful kids simultaneously. "You can no longer just go for a cup of coffee with one kid in tow," By KAREN MASERJIAN SHAN W hen Meaghan and Samuel Lane's two boys and two girls arrived prematurely four years ago, medical complica- tions arose. All four needed oxygen. One son, Kevin, died at three days old. Their other son, Dillion, devel- oped cerebral palsy and their daugh- ter, Aubree, needed a tracheotomy when she was 2. Yet, Lane didn't ask for help. "I wish I would have taken more help in the beginning," said Lane, of Cuddebackville. "Don't be bashful. Let them bring you a meal. Accept whenever people want to feed a baby. I wish I let more people in." Ask for and accept help. Everyone needs a helping hand every now and then. Mothers of multiples? More 'now' than 'then.' Jeanne Devine of Fishkill went with a friend's suggestion when her identical twin daughters, Chloe and Zoe Rissin, 12, were babies. When- ever visitors asked to hold a baby, Devine asked them to first do a small chore from a posted list. "There's no shame in help; there's no embarrassment," she said. "We always could use extra hands." READ MORE: Twice as nice? hvparent.com/twins-demystified Alexis Asp of Hopewell Junction turned to online mothers' groups of multiples when her and her hus- band, Peter's triplets arrived. One group met occassionally to relax and connect while their kids played. "They told horror stories and I felt better knowing everyone else was in the same position," Asp said. She also has gotten support from her community. At Our Savior said Asp. "Julie's Jungle is a go-to because you have to go where kids can run around." These days Lane looks to Face- book groups, Quadmoms, and Or- ange County Moms of Multiples for needed support but she's also found that accepting help can save money. At her baby shower, for instance, she got a year-and-a-half's worth of diapers and baby wipes. She also appreciates out-grown kids' clothes What I wish I knew sooner Moms of multiples look back (and ahead) on raising kids born together Twins, Chloe Rissin (second from the left) and Zoe Rissin (far right) share a strong bond and terrific sense of humor, says their mom, Jeanne Devine (far left). Dad, Howard Rissin, stands between the girls.