So You're Having Triplets

People often ask me what it's like to have triplets. How do you answer a question like that? It's not something that anyone can ever appreciate unless they have experienced it for themselves.

I've been pondering the transformation of our family since the addition of our triplets. More accurately, I've been thinking about the deluge of changes that a set of triplets create for a family. Don't misinterpret my thoughts here, I'm not looking for a new home for any member of my little litter. But for the past six years, some unimaginable changes have occurred... And those changes, minute at first, become significant.


Finding out that you're having triplets is like going shopping at Costco. You pull into the parking lot knowing you want a certain item. You wander the store picking up things you never knew you needed, but which you suddenly can't live without.

You get to the item you were originally looking to purchase. Oh, no! It only comes in a multi-pack. You really only need one of these things. You really only desired one of these things. But now it's get three of these things, or forget it... You buy the multi-pack (of course!). You are, after all at Costco, what did you expect?

Usually this scenario works out ok. You have to store a few extra bars of soap. You make room for additional bottles of shampoo. You stash bonus pairs of black socks. You just hope you get around to eating the jumbo sized container of strawberries before they all go bad... But for the most part, it usually works out--so why should a couple extra babies be so different?

These are the things you think about when you first discover that you're expecting the unexpected. But with the actual arrival of the trio of bundled squirminess, the profound changes begin.

So here's my advice to anyone awaiting the arrival of a set of triplets. Resign yourself to the fact that you will no longer be able to fit your entire family into a two-door sedan. (Needless to say, you probably won't fit into those cute jeans again either.) Last minute vacations with little or no planning--not an option. A quick dash into the grocery store? Forget about it... But shopping at Costco? Even more necessary now. Buy diapers by the case. Formula by the pallet. And Maximum Strength Excedrin by the barrel (for mom and for dad). And those extra bars of soap, pairs of socks, bowls of berries, bottles of shampoo? Trust me--with all these kids, you'll blow through those before you know what happened!

So, you want triplets? Renew your Costco membership now. You're gonna need all those multi-packs! And get some extra sleep, too. Because I can personally guarantee that you won't be getting enough for the next three years (at least). And seriously--gear up now for all the kindergarten homework--it's a killer!

But the most important thing I've learned? Although I'd never wish the struggles on anyone... The outrageous numbers of poopy diapers... The 2am crying stints (both mom's and the babies')... The hospital bills... The grocery bills... The necessity of buying everything in triplicate--car seats, high chairs, cribs, clothes... It's the best thing ever! Seriously. I highly recommend it.

Compliments of the Triplets

It's a known fact that we have triplets. I find it surprising how unremarkable our situation has become. I used to inspire a certain amount of admiration from other mothers for my great achievement (just surviving the first year with triplets is an achievement). Lately, I find I am often one-upped by a mom who has triplets and a set of twins.

While I don't envy the twin/triplet moms, I do admit to scrutinizing their physiques. I hate it when people say,

Oh, you look good for having triplets.

I'm pretty sure that's not a compliment. I'd much rather hear,

I can't believe you ever had triplets, you look amazing!

But here's the thing, those twin/triplet moms usually do look better than me. I haven't decided if it's because they're all younger than me (let's not discuss my actual age--please?). Or maybe those extra little bodies run those poor moms ragged. My theory is that those twin/triplet moms need to get out of the house to maintain their sanity. I think they use the gym as an acceptable escape from their real lives.

Regardless, I find it a little disconcerting. It makes me look a whole lot less "good, for having triplets." And a whole lot more "gee, what happened to you?"

I know I could drag myself to the gym. In fact, I'll acknowledge that I should get more exercise. But the truth is, I just don't have any kind of fondness for the gym. I don't like all the hard bodies (especially in comparison), I don't like the mirrors (holy cow! They're everywhere!), I don't like the locker rooms (eew), I don't like the skinny girls who've never earned a stretch mark (no explanation necessary)...

So, I guess this is it. I can live with my I-only-have-triplets-not-triplets-and-twins inferiority complex. I can suck it up and hit the gym. Or I can call a plastic surgeon and get The Works. Any doctors out there who want to do some pro bono work?

Look How They've Grown!

The Triplets had their sixth birthday today. While time has compassionately dampened the details, I still remember the day they were delivered. My doctor had gone to Hawaii and left me in my hospital bed. As he left, he made me promise to wait for him to return before going into labor. I can proudly say that I waited until he had been back for at least a couple of hours. His plane landed, he headed home, he was paged to the hospital. See how considerate I can be?

On the morning of January 24, 2003, three very little boys were brought into this world.

They were all below our goal weight of three pounds, but only by a few ounces.

JJ - 2 lbs 10 oz
Zeke - 2 lbs 12 oz
Max - 2 lbs 14 oz

Before you go making assumptions, I did not just name them in any kind of birth order. They are listed by ascending size. Rarely do I name them in birth order, and even when I do, nobody knows. I usually name them in alphabetical order. Sometimes it's by how easy they are to say in a certain order, and sometimes it's by ascending or descending size. The order I use is constantly changing and only I know the criteria I've used.


We made the decision early on that 120 seconds should not be the deciding factor of who would be our third child and who would get to be the youngest of five children. Besides, The Buddies were pulled out during the cesarean section in random order. I doubt very much that they would naturally have been born in the same order. So here they are, The Buddies, our youngest children.

Now, listed in order of this morning's Birthday Wishes:

Zeke got up early this morning. I wished him a Happy Birthday as he snuggled on the couch. He told me it wasn't his birthday until 10:00. While that isn't true, that is the scheduled time of today's party. Zeke is such a natural athlete. He is tall and strong and extraordinarily coordinated. He is a natural competitor and hates to be outdone by anyone. He makes friends easily and is very sensitive. He's my best helper and tries to please everyone. Zeke is my big softy and I love him for it.




JJ was second for Birthday Wishes today. He sneaked down the hall to play on the Wii while I jumped in the shower. That's typical for JJ, he loves to sneak around. He loves to surprise people and play pranks. He loves being silly, he loves to be the clown. JJ isn't so concerned with being first, but he wants things done his way. JJ is full of drama when he doesn't get his way. He's famous for alligator tears. But he is so clever and funny, he always keeps us laughing. JJ is the best at putting a smile on my face.



Max loves to sleep late, so today was not unusual. He straggled out of bed with barely enough time to get ready for the party. Max takes his time with everything. He should have been born as a Good Ol' Southern Boy--that slow and mellow drawl would suit him very well. Max is my little sweet heart. He is the snuggler. He will curl up with a book or a toy and amuse himself quietly for hours. He's the first to say, "I love you, mom!" I get to hear him say those words at least several times every day. Max makes me shake my head in bemusement. I love his contemplative commentary.

The Buddies are healthy and growing like weeds. People who don't know them are surprised at how little they were at birth, and at how early they were born. But they don't seem any the worse for their tenuous beginnings in life... I'm just glad they're here, they're healthy, and they're mine. I love my Little Buddies! Happy Birthday Boys!

An Alien and an Army Guy go Bowling...

There should be a support group for mothers who are planning birthday parties for triplets. Here's the situation... Everybody wants to be King For The Day, and usually a birthday is a perfect excuse for bestowing that title. However, that becomes a little difficult when three in a house share the same special day. So how would you remedy this particular dilemma?

OK--solve this... Each of The Buddies has a different theme in mind. How do you feel about a Sci Fi-GI Joe-Bowling party? Doesn't that sound delightful?

Or how about this little detail... The Buddies are in three different classes at school (and at church). Who do you invite? All 60 kids from the three school classes? I'm seriously considering letting each kid invite only one friend... Is that mean?

The kinks in the planning keep getting more complicated. We can be sci fi aliens and wear camouflage anywhere, but the bowling actually requires a specific location (a bowling ally--follow along, please!). Our favorite bowling ally is about 30 minutes away, and I don't have enough car seats to safely transport everyone. Would it be obnoxious to ask the parents to drive their kids that far and then ask them to come back and get them?

Then there's always the gift thing... Will the guests feel like they have to bring three gifts? Should they bring three gifts? What if each Buddy invites one friend and then two of the Buddy Friends bring great gifts and the third is a dud... Then what?

And lastly--just to make the day really complicated, how do I deliver donuts and celebrate the day at school in three different classes at the same time? Suggestions? Anyone???

I think I need to be cloned (twice). Does anyone have connections for that kind of thing?