Columbus couple adds 4 grandkids in five days
Births came in a span of a little over 101 hours
Dan and Barb Bringardner have been grandparents for a little over a year now, but nothing can top when their three daughters-in-law added four grandchildren to the clan in less than five days.
The East Side couple have three sons, and on Feb. 21 at 9:03 p.m. in Chicago, son Steve and his wife, Amanda, welcomed son Jack Robert Bringardner. On Feb. 23 at 3:19 p.m. in Westhampton, New York, son Matt and his wife, Kim, celebrated twin daughters Isla Lynn and Elle Marie Bringardner.
And on Feb. 26 at 12:33 a.m. in Oakland, California, son Tim and wife Blair added son Blaine Matthew Bringardner.
Accounting for the time differences, the births came in a span of a little over 101 hours.
“Very exciting, we’re just thrilled,”
Barb said.
Dan added: “I’m on cloud nine.” They raised Matt, 38, Steve, 37 and Tim, 33, on the East Side. All three went to St. Charles Preparatory School, graduating in 2000, 2002 and 2005, respectively.
Matt and Steve then graduated from Miami University, while Tim graduated from Ohio University.
They then scattered across the country as they married and embarked on careers. Steve and Amanda had a boy, Tommy, in 2019. And then, last summer, the brothers all found out their wives were pregnant and due early this year.
That’s when the family’s group chat began to hum with activity.
“It was a big blessing, because we did get to lean on each other a bit,” Tim said. “Our wives especially were able to share, and Steve and Amanda had done this once before, so they helped with all the stuff you don’t think about.”
Meanwhile in Columbus, Dan, 67, and Barb, 68, wondered how they would be able to safely see their kids and new grandkids as the year went on and the COVID-19 pandemic worsened.
Originally, the three due dates ranged from Feb. 24 to April 8. But all three ended up happening early — two were scheduled early because of possible medical concerns, none of which ended up materializing — and one (Jack) just decided it was time, as babies sometimes do. Amanda had been scheduled to be induced on Feb. 24, but went into labor the afternoon of Feb. 21 and had Jack a few hours later.
“Yeah, Steve and Amanda surprised us, it happened fast,” Matt said. “And then it was kind of like Kim’s turn and Blair’s turn. It was great.”
Tim and Blair kept Tim’s parents up most of the night of Feb. 25 into the early hours of the next day before calling with the good news. “I didn’t sleep much,” Dan said. “I was pretty anxious all week, it kind of felt like we were the parents, as well. It was just a great relief that all of them were healthy births.”
The other good news is that Dan and Barb will soon receive their second shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, which means it won’t be long before they can travel to see their quartet of new grandkids.
The other good news is that Dan and Barb will soon receive their second shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, which means it won’t be long before they can travel to see their quartet of new grandkids. “One of our concerns is who do we get to see first, and who might be offended if they’re not first?” Dan said.
The sons say it doesn’t matter to them. They are all just settling in after a crazy week, and thinking about what this sudden baby boom will mean down the road.
“I look forward to having all these cousins so close in age, that’s really cool,” Matt said. “And even though we live all across the country, this will give us a good excuse to get together.”
Steve agreed. “This will force us to see each other more often than we typically would. I’m excited about it.” kgordon@dispatch.com @kgdispatch