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Multiple births

When do you start showing with twins? What is life with twins like? Join the conversation on our Multiple Births forum.

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triplets!

63 replies

triplets · 31/01/2002 23:03

Hi, are there any triplet mums out there I could chat with?
I am very much an older Mum, will be 50 in March and my triplets have just had their 4th birthday!
Love to hear from you.
Anne.

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triplets · 11/03/2002 23:02

I cannot believe there are no other triplet mums out there! Please get in touch, I am beginning to feel so alone!

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SueDonim · 11/03/2002 23:39

Triplets, NCT can put you in touch with other parents of triplets. Call them on 0870 444 8707. HTH

Rhiannon · 12/03/2002 08:41

I know of 3 triplet families in this area. The only family I know to talk to were born in April 99, so probably not much help for tips for you.

Grizzler · 12/03/2002 09:22

Triplets - Why don't you try TAMBA, the Twins and Multiple Births Asociation? They have a branch specially for triplet families - called Supertwins, I think. They'll put you in contact with others in your area, which would at least be a starting point. Don't have the number to hand, but look them up on the Web - they do have a site.
What on earth is it like, trying to cope with three babies at once? Must be pretty exhausting.

Original poster
triplets · 29/03/2002 16:15

Thanks everyone. Yes it is exhausting but they are worth it! Last weekend was my big 50 and we were actually going to France for 2 nights without them, first break since they were born. The day before we went Rebecca got chickenpox, so my brother and his wife didn`t want to risk having them. So rather than cancel we took all three and within 48 hours all three were covered and also had nasty sticky eyes!! You can imagine the rest I am sure! One birthday I will never forget.

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Pupuce · 29/03/2002 21:14

I am impressed !!! But I fear I am not so impressed with your brother.... Chicken Pox is chicken pox - not that bad and it would have ben such a great favour for you... you would have enjoyed the time away - I know I would have as no one takes my kids away (relatives are all too far away) and I am dreaming of 2 days on our own....

Original poster
triplets · 29/07/2002 21:58

I cant believe there are no other triplets Mums out there! Makes me feel alone. They have just finished their pre-school and start BIG school in Sept, I am looking forward to having some time to myself again, hope that doesnt sound selfish. Its been a very tiring 4 years, but I wouldn`t change a thing, if only Matthew was here too.
Hope to hear from someone soon!
Anne

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jasper · 30/07/2002 03:26

Hi triplets.
Who is Matthew?
Thanks

Original poster
triplets · 04/08/2002 22:53

Hi Jasper,
Matthew is my son who died in 1994, he was 14. He was at that time our only child. That why at the age of 46 I gave birth to triplets, after 3 IVF attempts, Thomas, Rebecca and James. I had always longed for a daughter, never thought I would have one. Just wish that I didn`t have to lose Matthew to have them. Thomas is the image of him, though his nature is very different, I miss him so very much.

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jasper · 04/08/2002 23:08

Hi Anne.
How awful to lose a child.Every parent's worst fear.
Your 3 sound like a lot of fun, but no compensation for Matthew.He would be about 22 now, right?
Do you look at other young men his age and wonder how he would look/ be now?

AnnieMo · 05/08/2002 12:56

Triplets - I know just how you feel - it is so strange how life turns out. I had two little boys and thought my family was complete. In 1999 my youngest son died suddenly aged 5. After much heart searching we too decided to have another child and now have a 15 month son and a wonderful 12 year old. As you say the gap of losing a child is never filled, but our little one is truly amazing and it is so hard to imagine that we may not have had him had his brother not died. I look at old photos and it is almost as if we had a past life and family - and then look at my boys now who are my present family.

Original poster
triplets · 09/08/2002 23:06

Dear Anniemo and Jasper,
Thank you both for your replies. I am so sorry about your little boy Anniemo, it is the very worst thing that can ever happen to you isn`t it? It never goes away. Yes, Matthew would be 23 now, and it seems such a very long time ago that I spoke to him, saw him. Every day something reminds me of him, for instance tomorrow two of his friends he went to school with are getting married, the wedding is at our church two minutes from my house, I want to go and peek, but feel that I will cry when I see his friends all grown up. Every time we all go to the cemetery it always goes through my mind when I see my three running around, that they are there because HE is there. Sometimes I feel as though I will go crazy with it all, for ever wearing a mask, a different me on the outside to the one within.

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jasper · 13/08/2002 00:31

triplets, I feel very sad reading your post and it seems very clumsy of me to even attempt a reply as I have no idea at all how you must feel about Matthew.
My sister in law's son died suddenly of meningitis aged 5. She went on to have another daughter who was in no sense a replacement but she said she had thought her family was complete and had no intention of having another child until her son died.
I know she found it very frustrating that the rest of the family would never mention her little boy, almost as though they expected her to get over it after a few years and a new baby.
Did you go to the church to see Matthew's friends get married?

kkgirl · 16/08/2002 09:37

Anne

I don't have triplets myself, just 6 year old twins!! but I can help at all I'll try. I am 43 and all I can say it that two 6 year old and one 8 1/2 year old (going on 13) absolutely exhaust me.
I am in a Twins and more group, and we have a member who has 1 year old triplets and she is so relaxed, she makes me feel ashamed because I didn't have chance to enjoy having fun with the children after the twins were born, it was all caring for them all. Luckily now we have more time to play games and have fun.

Original poster
triplets · 20/08/2002 23:26

Thanks for the replies. No I didnt go to the church to see Matthews friends getting married, mainly because things were bedlam here! Its a strange feeling knowing all these kids are grown up now, leading adult lives, just not fair for Matthew that he didnt get the chance to do any of these things. The other day I was turning out cupboards and I found his BA complimentary toilet bag, in 1993 his last holiday we went to California. We were totally shocked to be told we had been upgraded and flew first class to San Francisco! Matthew was so pleased with his toilet bag, inside was a silver razor, and he couldn`t wait for the day when he would start shaving. All these little things hurt.
Anyway his brothers and sister actually got invited to play at a friends house today, a rare treat. People tend not to ask them as they have to have three at a go! I was pleased with them, they had lunch and were so well behaved it gave me heart that I must be doing something right!
Just wish that Matthew were here too, then life would be so happy, guess none of us can have it all.
I feel so much for the parents of Holly and Jessica, it has upset me so much, like you all I know. It is hell to lose a child as we did, but to live through this horrific ordeal, the rawness of their pain must be unbearable, we live in a very sad world.

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Jasper · 21/08/2002 06:05

triplets, I was thinking of you tonight when I saw the triplets on Child of ouf time - did you see it? Bedlam!!

Bozza · 21/08/2002 09:27

Yes Jasper I think it gave a very slight insight into just how much hard work it must be. The bit where she was trying to take them for a walk and there was always one on the loose particularly struck me. We tend to think one toddler can be relentless but I'm sure 3 really are! Anyway triplets it sounds like you are doing a good job - do any of yours have the same language skills as the little girl at the end (the one who said "go away bitch" to the researcher?

Original poster
triplets · 21/08/2002 23:00

Hi all,
Yes I watched the programme with great interest! They should film 24 hours with triplets, it would put anyone off! Mine have been a real handful all day, I have been packing to go away tomorrow, and as fast as I do it, they UNDO it! I am shattered, but tell myself we will have a nice time when we get there, 8hours in a car!! No, pleased to say mine have not yet extended their vocabulary to bitch! Wasn`t it embarassing!

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aloha · 22/08/2002 09:55

Triplets, how did you manage sleep when yours were same age as the ones in the programme? All that night waking made my blood run cold...

Original poster
triplets · 29/08/2002 00:05

Hi Aloha,
We have been lucky I think! Generally once they are asleep, and thats my problem, actually getting them to go to sleep, they usually all go through the night and have done since they were about 6 months old.I can remember though a brief spell when they were around two when all three would wake up at 2am and then just charge around playing like it was daytime. They would strip, climb onto the bay window ledge and try swinging from the curtains! God knows what anyone passing by thought! We were both too shattered to do much about it, convinced that after a time they would wear themselves out, they did........about 4am!!

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aloha · 29/08/2002 10:27

It sounds like a zoo! But a lovely zoo, I hasten to add. Actually an American writer once described going from having one baby to two, as 'the difference between owning a dog and becoming a zoo-keeper', which made me laugh. Wonder what he'd make of your three.

Original poster
triplets · 30/08/2002 23:20

Hi Aloha,
A zoo it is, especially at meal times! They seem to be able to make a little food fly a very long way! I am just hoping that when they start school next week, eating with 125 other children, being watched over by the dinner ladies, they will improve!Still, as I am typing this they are all blissfully asleep,today has been a good day. Thomas said the sweetest thing to me today, he does not often voluntarily kiss me, but today he asked me to put my face down because he wanted to give me a kiss. He did, then looked at me with his beautiful blue eyes and said, "and now may all your wishes come true". It was so lovely, makes it all worth while.

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aloha · 30/08/2002 23:28

Oh, that's so lovely it takes my breath away. I think boys are very underrated, you know.

Original poster
triplets · 01/09/2002 18:02

Hi Aloha,
Equally today Jamesie lifted my hair back, peered very closely and said, "Mummy you are turning into a granny"! Must go to Boots tomorrow for a hair colour!

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Original poster
triplets · 12/09/2002 22:31

Am I still the only triplet Mum out there???

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