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After 10 years, new adventures for septuplets


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Video
  Septuplets' 'long lost aunt'
Ann Curry reflects on following the story of the McCaughey family for 10 years. 'I'm excited!' she says before seeing the world's first surviving septuplets.

Dateline NBC

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Natalie Sue may follow Kelsey’s lead when they're a dynamic duo.

Kelsey to camera: Hello!

But on her own, she tends to be quiet and introspective.

Story continues below ↓
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Natalie: Sometimes, I’m so into the book I feel like I’m one of the characters in the book.
Ann Curry: What books do you just love that -- that made you feel like that?
Natalie: Um... “The Tale of Despereaux.”
Ann Curry: I love that book.
Natalie: It's pretty good so far.

At ten, she is aware of her character in this story, typecast at a very young age because of her fair face and golden locks.

Ann Curry: Do you sometimes think that everybody talks about you as the pretty one?
Natalie: My dad does.

(from year one)
Kenny: She's my little model. And she was kind of a pretty baby when she was born, too.

Ann Curry: What do you want people to say about you?
Natalie: Nice things about me. They want to be my friend. And that I’m a good friend.
Ann Curry: Would you rather play with your friends or your brothers and sisters?
Natalie: (silent)
Ann Curry: Your friends. Don't worry. It's normal. Most people want to play with their friends at this age.

Natalie has always embraced new friends, from a lifeguard at a water park to a familiar face at a farm.

(from year six)
Natalie: We had some baby movies and we saw you in our baby movie.
Ann Curry: Isn't that funny? I saw you getting weighed and remember what happened?
Natalie (imitating her Mom): “You peed on the scale!”

Ann Curry: Remember when you were a little tiny baby, you couldn't eat?
Natalie: I still have the hole in my stomach.
Ann Curry: You do? Oh, right there. You have a little scar there. Just right there.

Video
  What makes Natalie happy?
Natalie tells Ann Curry what makes her happy and shares her favorite things about her recent trip to Spain.

Dateline NBC

From zero to three, she was nourished through a tube in her belly.  When she finally overcame severe reflux and an aversion to swallowing, she ate with gusto: especially pizza, which still delivers a thrill.

Bobbi: Natalie is getting up there...
Ann Curry: You're above her chin.

As she inches toward adulthood, she can see herself as a teacher or a doctor.  But she can also imagine another life.

Natalie: I might want to be a stay-at-home mom. I like to take care of babies.
Ann Curry: How's she doing in school?
Bobbi: Pretty much straight A's. She could probably be the doctor if she wanted to be.

In contrast to her self-conscious sister, Kelsey Ann is footloose, fancy-free and unexpectedly frank.

Kelsey (to Ann Curry): I love you.
Ann Curry: Oh, I love you too... (looks at camera and mouths "wow”)

Her feelings about school, on the other hand, have run hot and cold since first grade.

(from year seven)
Ann Curry: Do you like school?
Kelsey: Yeah.
Ann Curry: You do?
Kelsey: Well, not that much.
Ann Curry: What don't you like about school?
Kelsey: I don't like being there...
Ann Curry: You don't? (laughs) That's kind of major.
Kelsey: ... Every day.

Video
  The lipgloss question
Septuplet Kelsey talks to Ann Curry about lipgloss and growing up.

Dateline NBC

Fourth-grade is holding her attention – so far. 

Bobbi: She can be a very hard worker. Or she can be the one who wants to put in the least effort required. Kind of depends on her mood that day.

But Kelsey has always been in the mood for action and at five, envisioned herself fluttering around...

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Ann Curry: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Kelsey: Ummm... A tooth fairy!
Ann Curry: A tooth fairy?! (laughs)

The only wings she wants now belong to Tweety. The responsibility of caring for her pet may be preparing her for latest ambition.

Kelsey: I’m going to be a doctor.
Ann Curry: Why do you think being a doctor would make you happy?
Kelsey: I just want to help children so they can be healthy and stuff.

She might be referring to children like her brother and sister who struggle to do things that have come naturally for the other kids.


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