As the family tackled their annual spring cleaning, Katie suddenly lost consciousness behind the sofa. Her mother’s instincts soon drew her back home, where she made the announcement: Katie was going to be a mother. After confirmation from …

A disagreement arose within the Douglas household regarding Katie’s prenatal care. Robbie and Katie wished to select their own physician, but Katie’s mother was insistent upon arranging a consultation with the Millers' longtime family docto…

The baby shifted within Katie, and Robbie felt the movement—a moment that seemed to strip away his youthful carelessness, leaving him suddenly the sober, intensely serious father-to-be. Simultaneously, a different kind of anticipation fille…

The prospect of becoming a grandfather seems to soften Steve’s negotiations on a significant Air Force contract with a particularly stern General. Observing the manner in which Katie carries herself, the General confidently predicts she is …

Robbie and Katie’s suggestion of employing a nanny sparked an immediate certainty in Uncle Charley: they would surely seek his assistance. Their silence on the matter, however, prompted him to undertake a sustained period of babysitting, de…

Deep into her pregnancy, Katie found herself consumed by anxieties about her appearance, feelings wildly disproportionate to the changes in her body. She was momentarily overwhelmed by her size, until a visit to the doctor revealed a surpri…

The day—or rather, the night—arrived for the momentous occasion, finding expectant mother Katie remarkably composed while Steve and Uncle Charley were anything but, and the would-be father unfortunately away on Army maneuvers. At the hospit…

When the three newborns arrived home from the hospital, their delighted parents revealed their names: Robbie Jr., Charley, and Steve II. Their father, Robbie, quickly discovered he was utterly unready for the wave of attention the little on…

It might not be poker, but nine children in the Douglas family certainly constitutes a formidable hand. Feeling a sense of obligation, Robbie resolves to leave school and dedicate himself to work, hoping to secure a more suitable home for h…

Robbie and Katie received invitations to their high school reunion, but felt uneasy about leaving their young children with an unfamiliar caregiver, as all of their relatives were unavailable. They decided to engage a professional babysitte…

Following Sally’s sudden marriage to a younger suitor, Uncle Charley found himself adrift. To restore some cheer to the dear, somewhat blustery old fellow, Katie devised a plan that resulted in a flurry of new acquaintances – all female.

Caring for three young children has left Katie utterly drained, according to Dr. Osborne, who recommends a few days of complete rest. She travels to Santa Barbara to stay with her mother. In her absence, the family finds it necessary to emp…

The contractor Steve brought in to build the baby alcove for Robbie and Katie’s room proved something of a trial. He possessed all the warmth of a drill sergeant, easily swayed by Katie's suggestions, yet stubbornly resistant and unhelpful …

Steve found himself drawn to a captivating widow, and initial signs suggested a reciprocal interest. Yet, just as things seemed promising, her demeanor shifted abruptly, distancing herself from his advances. To counter this unexpected cooln…

Though Katie is certain she knows each of the identical triplets by name, her family members harbor doubts. When Steve kindly gave them a bath, Katie conceded that she could no longer distinguish between them, as he had washed away the ink …

Chip and his girlfriend surprised the Douglas family with the news of their engagement and intention to finish high school afterward. Steve, clearly disapproving, paid a visit to the couple's parents, who ultimately chose not to outright fo…

The Douglases have noticed a concerning lack of activity from Steve, unaware that he’s currently tasked with assisting in the apprehension of several enemy agents. Matters escalate dramatically, however, when he's unexpectedly spirited away…

For Chip’s sixteenth birthday, Steve Douglas presented him with a beautifully maintained used car—a generous gift, he thought. He was taken aback, however, by his son’s lackluster response; Chip seemed reluctant to drive it and insisted on …

When Steve’s longtime friend from China relocated to Los Angeles, he joyfully reconnected with the Douglases. Over time, he shared a worry with Steve and Charley: he was troubled by the man his daughter had chosen for a husband—a seemingly …

Chip and Ernie watched their elder brother, Robbie, laughing with a strikingly beautiful woman. Troubled by the scene, they told their father, Steve, what they’d seen. He reassured them, expressing his faith in Robbie's judgment and encoura…

Ernie was heartbroken to discover that his next-door neighbors were moving away, meaning his best friend would be leaving the neighborhood too. Until then, the two boys had been inseparable, spending every possible moment together; and the …

A wave of surprise washed over Ernie and his girlfriend when, at the school band contest, his Uncle Charley and her grandmother seemed remarkably unburdened by age. Later, Ernie shared his disquiet with his family, who listened with a mixtu…

Ernie expressed his frustration at having to compose letters in Spanish for his South American correspondent, yet she surprised him entirely when she accepted a dinner invitation via cablegram. Maria, it turned out, was the daughter of a pr…

Having been the sole student to identify the correct shade on a simple card test, Ernie was certain he possessed some form of extrasensory awareness. Now, he felt compelled to warn Robbie and Katie, convinced that their scheduled visit with…

A colleague and frequent golf partner of Steve’s proposed a trip to the company picnic, suggesting Steve and his two sons join him and his own two children. Much to the parents’ disappointment, the young people instantly found they disliked…

Having caught Margaret’s eye seemed an insurmountable goal, so Ernie tried to reshape himself, hoping to earn a glance of recognition. Yet, Margaret's affections lay elsewhere, with Roger, and she wore a visible disappointment when Ernie wa…

The arrival of familiar faces from Bryant Park brought renewed warmth to the neighborhood, prompting a reunion with the Douglases at a lively family barbecue. There, amidst the laughter and good food, Steve unexpectedly found himself playin…

Ernie’s aptitude for writing, unfortunately, placed him in the notoriously difficult advanced English class, under a teacher known for her rigorous methods. Her formidable reputation preceded her, filling Ernie with such anxiety that it ham…