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CNN's Jeff Flock greeted the family in Chicago
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In this story:

• Babies doing fine
• Mom wants more children; Dad doesn't
• Related stories and sites

CARLISLE, Iowa (CNN) -- It'll be a birthday to remember. But then again, it's the only one the world's first surviving septuplets have had so far.

The seven McCaughey babies, born as a curious world followed a dangerous pregnancy, turn 1 on Thursday.

The septuplets -- Kenneth, Alexis, Natalie, Kelsey, Brandon, Nathan and Joel -- will mark their first birthday with an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's television talk show, along with big sister Mikayla, who's almost 3, and parents Bobbi and Kenny.

The brood flew to Chicago this week for the taping. The show is scheduled to be shown on Thursday.

Before returning to Iowa, there was a stop at a bookstore where Bobbi and Kenny signed copies of "Seven From Heaven: The Miracle of the McCaughey Septuplets," their account of what it has been like to care for seven babies in a tiny house in Carlisle.

But they won't be cramped for much longer.

The McCaugheys have endorsed a few products

Later this month, the McCaugheys will move into a new, seven- bedroom house that sits about 100 yards from their current two-bedroom home. The 6,000-square-foot house, which features 15 closets, two laundry areas and a three-car garage, was built through corporate donations.

Born after a pregnancy that lasted less than eight months, the septuplets are now said to be thriving. But there have been some medical problems in their first year:

• Joel needed a blood transfusion.
• Alexis has had bouts with chronic lung disease.
• Kenneth had eye surgery.

At their nine-month checkup, their weights ranged from 17 pounds for Joel, the heaviest, to 10 pounds, 12 ounces for little Alexis.

Kenneth and Brandon have been crawling for a while and Kelsey began just last week. Kenneth, dubbed "Hercules" by nurses and doctors because he supported the weight of his brothers and sisters in the womb, is the only baby who can pull himself up into a standing position.

Kenny McCaughey still works at a car dealership in Carlisle. But the couple now has an agent who handles deals such as the book, as well as endorsements for Black and Decker power tools and Simplicity sewing patterns.

The parents say they are torn between not exploiting the children and making sure they have enough money for the extraordinary costs of having seven all at once.

"The majority of things that we have done were not necessarily things that we wanted to do, but more like we felt like we ought to do them," said Bobbi McCaughey.

As they juggle their lives to raise a total of eight children, the McCaugheys are an inspiration, says Mary Decker, a mother of triplets who came to the book signing in Chicago. "Her kids are mobile now. She'll have to be on her toes ... to see what they're up to."

As large as her family has become, Bobbi McCaughey told CNN she'd like to have still another child "in a couple of years." As she speaks, her husband smiles, shaking his head no.

At this point, says Dad, "we are thankful, very thankful, for what we have."

Chicago Bureau Chief Jeff Flock and The Associated Press contributed to this report.