We’ve all seen the Johnson & Johnson’s commercial that states simply, “Having a baby changes everything.” I’d like to add that “having multiples REALLY changes everything.”

In 2000 my husband and I had a daughter, our first. She screamed a lot but was otherwise perfect. In 2003 we had a son, less screaming but also perfect.

In 2006 we decided to try for another child. Neither of us were ready for the shock we received at 6 weeks – not one more child but three!

Even before my sonogram everything about the pregnancy was different. So different, in fact, that I thought something was wrong…that maybe I was miscarrying. But the babies were all fine. It was my body that was changing. I was wearing maternity clothes at 7 weeks (with my previous pregnancies I didn’t need them till at least 12 weeks along.) I had trouble walking around in stores at just 15 weeks. I struggled to breathe and everything was harder.

I had envisioned one more pregnancy, one more baby in my arms to complete our family. I had thought that I would have this baby and when he or she was old enough, I would put them in preschool and go back to work.

But having triplets meant everything was different. Expenses tripled and outside childcare or preschool seemed impossible! Instead of staying home and being a mom while pregnant I spent 12 weeks on bedrest including 6 of those in the hospital.

And the differences didn’t stop after I gave birth. Instead of bringing home one baby to our family of four, I brought home three. They required extra time and attention than I had prepared for. I couldn’t hold them all at once. I couldn’t care for them at the same time. I had to juggle schedules and feedings. I had to ask for help instead of having the ability to do it all myself.

What I had hoped would be a normal pregnancy and an addition to our family ended up being a life-changing event. Like having my first pregnancy all over again; I felt like a new mom all over again.

Two and a half years later I feel more used to this idea of having triplets. It seems more “normal” to me. Certainly to the point that I couldn’t imagine my life without them. But there are still many days where my husband and I watch the girls play and shake our heads and say to each other how we can’t believe there are three!

Babies, all of them, certainly do change our lives in so many ways. My hope is that, like mine did for me, they change your life for the better.