CAREFUL what you wish for. Josh Storer, of Capalaba, used to joke about having triplets, saying it was the opportunity for him and his wife Meg to get their family "over and done with".
But no one was more surprised than they were to receive the news that they would be having triplets (non IVF). The boys, Alexander, Joseph and Samuel, weighing 1.5kg, 1.56kg and 1.64kg respectively were born on November 18, 2011 at 31 weeks and six days.
The triplets represent the third pregnancy for the new parents, after two miscarriages.
"We told the family at a family holiday. When we told them we were pregnant, everyone was thrilled. But then we said: 'Wait, there's more' and everyone said: 'What? Twins?'. When we said it was triplets, there was a lot of screaming - happy screaming. We filmed it. It was hilarious," Meg said.
And now, after months acclimatising themselves to their new and instant family, it is time for Josh to return to work.
Through the Multiple Birth Volunteer Support Foundation Inc, Meg is seeking some help and is keen to recruit some local volunteers.
"It's mainly to give them cuddles and hold them while I do the feeding and bathing. I am only looking for help with the babies. It would be a labour of love," Meg said.
Meg said the boys' three-hourly feeds could take up to two hours and this alone filled most of her day.
"They are slow feeders and they have a bit of reflux so I have to feed one at a time. But on the plus side, they are sleeping longer at night," she said.
Interested volunteers are invited to attend a workshop put on by MBVS to be held at the Redlands College, Wellington Point at 9.30am on Saturday, February 25.
"It's an opportunity to meet the family and be updated with current caring practice of babies," MBVS volunteer Lynne Dunoon said.
It's been a crash course too for the Storers, who have devoted themselves to the fulltime care of the boys.
"We were a bit scared when we found out. But we were also excited. You don't think about the logistics. This is our life. We asked for it and we are far from unhappy," Meg said.
Meg said that the boys were having more "awake time" now and she was concerned with coping on her own. The new mum said she was grateful for assistance from fellow parishioners at Church of Christ, Cleveland.
"I always planned on being a stay at home mum. The time is going so quickly. There is always something to do. It's a real pleasure," she said.
Meg said with the corrected age as of January 14, the boys were doing well ? as indicated by their early release from intensive and special care.
"They are starting to develop their little characters."
The Storers would also welcome any baby donations, currently managing with one cot and a pram on order.
Anyone able to donate goods or attend the workshop can phone Sue Wolstenholme on 0431 839 729.
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