The Bobbsey clan has nothing on Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

While that fictional family from childrenâÂÂs literature had an improbable two sets of twins, LMH has seen the birth of Ãi¿½” count âÂÂem Ãi¿½” four pairs.

Within nine days, two sets of boys and two sets of girls were born, each delivered by different doctors.

No official could remember a similar wave of multiple births in the hospitalâÂÂs history.

âÂÂAll of a sudden, our nursery is overflowing,â said Isabel Schmedermann, maternal-child director for LMH. âÂÂOne set is not a big deal, but the second doubles your population.âÂÂ

The four doubly blessed families were brought together Thursday afternoon (precisely nine months after ValentineâÂÂs Day) for a joint photo session.

⢠Sharon and Doug Green are the parents of John and Karson, boys born Nov. 4.

âÂÂA lot of people said, âÂÂ’Twins! Oh gosh! IâÂÂm glad itâÂÂs you and not me,âÂÂâ Sharon Green said. âÂÂBut IâÂÂm glad itâÂÂs me and not them.âÂÂ

⢠Jennifer and Dusty Wilson are the parents of Jocelyn and Jayded, girls born Nov. 6.

âÂÂSo far weâÂÂve been pretty lucky,â Jennifer Wilson said. âÂÂThey sleep through the night and wake together Ãi¿½” one right after the other one gets fed.âÂÂ

⢠Katharine and Darby Ritter are the parents of Hayley and Lauren, girls born Tuesday night.

âÂÂWe wanted another boy,â Darby Ritter said wryly. âÂÂWho knew what to expect?âÂÂ

⢠Keri and Austin Rogge became parents to Isaac and Isaiah on Wednesday.

âÂÂWe shouldâÂÂve thought about it more,â Keri Rogge said. âÂÂBecause my dadâÂÂs a twin.âÂÂ

All the children are thought to be fraternal twins, meaning they developed from separately fertilized eggs in their mothersâ wombs.

Lawrence hasnâÂÂt become some crazy twin-making town. National statistics suggest twins are born at a rate of four to 12 births per 1,000, depending on whether the twins are identical or fraternal. LMH has had 11 twin births this year, and is on a pace for about 1,100 births overall.

Still, hospital officials rarely expect to have so many twins delivered at the same time.

âÂÂI knew we had several twins due around this time, but I hadnâÂÂt given it much thought theyâÂÂd be this close together,â Schmedermann said. âÂÂI started plotting.âÂÂ

The parents had plenty of praise for hospital staff.

âÂÂThese nurses did a fantastic job,â Darby Ritter said.

Julie Miller, a maternity nurse who has twin boys of her own, said twins bring a âÂÂdouble portion of love,â but could also double the challenges.

The new parents are expecting twice the blessings, as well.

âÂÂI think orneriness doubles when you have kids the same age,â Austin Rogge said. âÂÂMaybe it quadruples. But I think itâÂÂll work real well. They wonâÂÂt be afraid of the dark, and theyâÂÂll always have someone to lean on.âÂÂ