X5

Positive! My husband and I had been elated at the possibility of pregnancy, positive, so exciting! It’s hard to fathom, the idea of a human growing inside of another human. Created with such love and yearning for parenthood but we have started our journey. It begins somewhat”normal” I suppose. We tell family, friends, co-workers. Spotting. That’s something unexpected. We request a quick doctor appointment, reminding each other that everything will be alright. He sends us for an ultrasound, just to make sure baby is o.k. That was our life changing moment. One heartbeat, two heartbeats, three heartbeats....I’m sorry...what? No medications, no ivf, just 3 babes growing. I seriously had those next days of unstoppable crying, thinking how can we do this? I allowed myself to do this, almost feeling sorry for myself, can you believe it? This woman that wanted babies her entire life, has been given three...and yet I cry. The sun comes up every morning. This particular sunshiny morning I make a decision to celebrate. Celebrate these three little, precious humans. Back to work I go, congratulated by everyone, still uncertain of so much. What, our car can’t have 3 baby car seats legally? We live in a high-rise apartment building with a roommate, I can’t do stairs and the power is out, is this even real? Week 26, hospital bed time. I take this time to focus on positive, let my babes grow, it’s going to be ok! We’ve been told if babes are born now they have a 50% chance of survival. So, I incubate, watch t.v., eat, sleep, I got this! After a few weeks it‘s wheelchair ride time. I ask about spreading cheer to others. So rewarding, they are crying, then smiling seeing the light, just as I had. 32 and 2, they have arrived. These three beautiful, miniature humans. Skin to skin for one, the other two are too fragile. Ten days later, I finally embrace my last. They are amazing. These <3lb. babes. Creation is a beautiful thing. Tubes, alarms, my mom comes to meet the little ones but realizes it is terrifying. She is my mom, mom of my twin brothers, mom that always has cared for us, has done so much for us three I can’t even put into words. My dad was a musician and a grocer. He was either at the store or on the road leaving my mom to be the boss of the house. Don’t get me wrong, he loved us and provided for us but the household/kid stuff, that was not his thing! My mom’s true strength was evident when she fell and broke her leg, with baby twins and a five year old, dragging herself up and down the old rickety stairs to reach her crying babes. I am fortunate to have this strong role model, her nurturing and strong parent skills prepared me for motherhood x3. So, getting back to my triplet saga... finally the day has arrived, we are going home from hospital, x5. Our little family starting the “normal” family life. The next few days, months, years are really a blur but we learned, loved and laughed along the way. 24. These little babes turn 24 this summer. They are all teachers. I look at them, and at times I tear up. I am so proud of us x5. I quickly learned that I have to be the boss, take charge of the situation and keep my babes alive. My husband is our provider and is a wonderful human, this man of steel that has been by my side through good and tough. This was a huge challenge but this has been a family journey of growth, strength, perseverance, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My beautiful triplet humans...so incredibly blessed...so I honestly feel that I was the boss, I am the boss!