Meet The Carpio Family, Stars of TLC's 'Sextuplets Take New York'
Carpe diem means seize the day. For the family that's the focus of TLC's new reality show, 'Sextuplets Take New York,' that phrase could be changed to Carpio diem. The Carpio family consists of two loving parents, one 10-year-old, and six 23-month-old babies. Each day is a challenge that they seize with love, understanding and determination to succeed.
'Sextuplets Take New York' premieres Sept. 14 at 10PM on TLC, and if it seems like it might be similar to 'Jon & Kate Plus Eight,' that's no coincidence. Both shows have the same producers.
Meet the Family
Victor and Digna Carpio are a married couple living in Queens, New York. They are a close-knit Hispanic family, devoted to their children. All nine of the Carpios share a modest home together, struggling to fit into the close quarters and make it on Victor's salary of $1,900 a month as a New York City housing maintenance worker.
The Babies' Story of Survival
The Carpio six were the first Latino sextuplets born in America. They arrived on Oct. 6, 2008 at 25 weeks gestation, weighing between 1-1/2 and 2 pounds. Because they were so small, they were given little chance for survival. The Carpios didn't tell the press about the births at first because they weren't sure if all the infants would live.
When the Carpio sextuplets were finally announced to the world, they were dubbed the 'six little miracles.' Digna Carpio told a reporter for the New York Daily News, "I've watched each of my babies fight so hard to survive. Life is beautiful, and we're so thankful." To help the Carpios, New York City Council member Tony Avella started a collection for baby supplies.
The six newborns, who'd been going by the labels Baby A, B, C, D, E, F, were given names. Danelia and Genesis are the girls; the boys are Jayden, Joel, Justin and Jazreel.
About the Show
Each of the eight episodes of 'Sextuplets Take New York' will follow the daily life of the Carpio family. There are 50 diapers to be changed, three meals to be prepared, homework and school to be attended to (for the 10-year-old), and six walking babies to be kept up with -- plus, the sextuplets will soon be talking. What's it like raising seven kids on a budget, plus staying healthy and active? The Carpios will show us.
The Carpios' Challenges
Each day is a new set of challenges for the Carpios. Aside from living in a small space with growing children on a very tight budget, the Carpio sextuplets still have some health concerns. What helps the family get by is their mutual love for each other and a strong sense of culture -- they love music, language and food, and all possess the ability to laugh. Plus, the extended Carpio family -- aunts, uncles, grandparents -- is present often.
For Digna, one of her top priorities after giving birth to six babies -- aside from caring for her seven children and her husband -- was getting back into shape. She was able to lose 30 pounds, and stays fit by going to the gym three days a week.
A Couple of Sneak Peeks
Take a look at the precocious Genesis as she stars in this clip with her Papa.
Here's another cute moment: little Joel unable to stay awake as he sits in his highchair surrounded by his siblings.

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