FAQ's

We've now made it to day three of having our three sons home with us.  The 2nd night went much smoother than the first (though still involved getting up twice for about 1.5 hours each time).  However, the fatigue was nothing that couldn't be remedied by a long Sunday afternoon nap. 

Since bringing the boys home we've gone on two great adventures.  The first was piling all 7 of us (plus Kristen's mom) into the car and going out to dinner with the extended Slofstra family to celebrate:  Grandpa Slofstra's birthday, the 50th anniversary of the Slofstra family immigrating to Canada, and G & G Slofstra's 60th anniversary.  Everybody had a lot of fun and as you can imagine the presence of the boys created quite a stir not just among our group but in the restaurant as a whole.  The second took place this morning. After struggling to drag ourselves out of bed, we went to church.  We've been worshipping at Gateway Community CRC in Abbotsford and we were glad to show off our triplets to our adoptive church family here in the lower mainland.  

One thing we've discovered during the pregnancy and since having the triplets is that people have all kinds of questions about them.  Here are some of the frequently asked questions (and answers): 

• Do multiples run in your family?
• After discovering that we were having triplets Kristen researched what it means to have multiples run in your family.  The only genetic explanation for twins, triplets, etc. running in a family comes from what is known as hyperovulation (where multiple eggs are released and fertilized resulting in fraternal twins or triplets).  That means that if multiples run in our family, they run in Kristen's side of the family (and not mine).  However, there is no evidence on Kristen's side of multiples running in the family.  Even though multiples did not run in our family, they do now.  This means that Abigail and Dana, should they have children later in life, do have a greater chance of having multiples. This also means that even though David, Isaac, and William have no greater likelihood than the average man of fathering multiples,  they can pass the gene for hyperovulation on, if they have daughters of their own some day.            
• Are any of them identical?
• Kristen and I are quite certain that we do not have identical triplets. David definitely looks different than his two brothers.  Isaac and William look similar, although they also seem to have slight differences in their appearance.  If any are identical twins, it would be those two, but our sense at this point is that our triplets are all fraternal.  The only way to tell for sure would be to get a DNA test done.     
• How can you tell them apart?
• Of the three boys, David is the easiest to tell apart from the other two.  His head is rounder and his appearance reminds us of how Abigail looked when she was a baby.   Isaac and William, when laying side by side, have heads with very similar profiles (like Dana when she was a baby).  However, William lips seem to be fuller than his brother's.  The other giveaway (especially in the middle of the night when its dark) is that you can't miss the full length cast that is affixed to William's left leg.  Even though Kristen and I can usually tell them apart, Abigail and Dana are still working on it and are constantly calling the boys by their wrong names, or easier yet, just "that guy".   
• When are you coming home (back to Smithers)?
• We are looking forward to coming back to Smithers and settling back into our home after being away now for almost 2 months.  However, before we pack up and head out of town we are waiting on William.  He is scheduled to see the specialist 3 more times regarding his club foot.  Each appointment is one week apart.  We are hopeful, based on how he is progressing, that he will only need to see the specialist two more times, but will have a better idea tomorrow (Monday). It may be possible to get a referral to see a specialist in Prince George, but if we can take care of everything now while we're settled into our temporary accomodation in the lower mainland, we'd prefer that to having to travel out to PG shortly after we arrive home.  
• Do you have a bus?
• Nope, but as you can imagine things are a little snug when it comes to getting everyone in the car. 
• Are you breastfeeding all three?   
• Yes, so far Kristen is managing to produce enough milk for all three.  This is in part thanks to some good coaching by the nurses in the NICU and thanks to the assistance of a turbo powered double electric breast pump.