Tolman was violently ill throughout her pregnancies, which greatly diminished her dreams of a larger family. She said she thinks the pregnancy experience is a large factor in determining family size.

"It's one thing to say 'I want a huge family' until you actually carry them," she said. "If your pregnancy is a living hell, it would surprise me if (women) have more than two or three."

Kiersten Ogles is the mother of twin 8-year-old girls and a sprightly 3-year-old. And the five-member family from Farmington is as big as it's going to get, Ogles said.

Growing up in a family of eight was hard for Ogles, who said that so many children put a strain on finances and chances for activities.

"I was the middle child," she said, "So I was kind of lost in all of it."

Carrie Krueger of Lehi has two towheaded children — another child on the way. "I have this thing about even numbers, so we'll have to have a fourth," the young mom said with a laugh.

"Maybe just because I grew up with a lot of siblings, it doesn't seem weird," she said. "It's normal."

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