Bundle of joy x 3
By Sande Snead CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Tricia and Gene Jones spend some quiet time with their triplets before taking them home. Tricia gave birth to Rachel Alexis, Lauren Olivia and Sidney Reagan on Dec. 11. They are the first triplets to be born at St. Francis Medical Center.

Tricia and Gene Jones are the first to admit that good things come in threes. The 33-yearold parents of the first set of triplets born at the new Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center are tired, but happy.

Born Dec. 11, Rachel Alexis (4 lbs., 8 oz.), Lauren Olivia (5 lbs.) and Sidney Reagan (4 lbs., 14 oz.) also have a big sister. Katelynn is 18 months old.

The couple found out there were three little bundles on the way when Tricia was eight weeks into her pregnancy.

"We were floored," Tricia said. "It's been very hectic with Katelynn too, but she's been really good with the babies. I thought there would be a lot of jealousy, but she loves on them and checks on them, then she goes about her business."

In addition to big sis, the Joneses get a lot of help from Tricia's mom, Linda Ashby. Fortuitously, she had just sold her house and was going to buy something else when the family found out about the little trio on the way. Instead, the Joneses sold their home and bought one big house with Ashby.

"We couldn't do it without her," Tricia said. "I'm not sure what we are going to do when my husband goes back to work. It takes all three of us."

Gene works 12-hour shifts at Dupont Zytel. Sometimes he works days; other times nights.

"It will be a challenge for him to get sleep, but we think for at least one adult to get eight hours of sleep, that's a good thing."

Gene says after getting over the initial shock of having three babies, things have sort of fallen into place.

"During the pregnancy, we had a chance to get used to the idea, and we'd say, 'O.K., we can do this.' We were not sure what was in store, but now it's normal for us. It's been a great experience."

Right now the babies are eating every three hours - every four at night, and Tricia is confident she will soon get them on a better daytime feeding schedule as well. Meanwhile, there are lots of bottles and diapers. Tricia says they go through about 30 a day for the triplets alone.

"We have a stroller for three that we got from a Mothers of Multiples yard sale, and then my aunt gave us two double strollers, so there's a place for everybody when my 18-month-old wants to ride. Babies need so much stuff, and we've got it times three."

Despite the hectic life, the family remains calm.

"There is no point in being stressed out," Tricia said. "You just go with it. The only thing that has been hard for me is that with my oldest, I had a C-section and just bounced right back. I fully expected to do the same this time, but this was totally different. It took such a toll on my body. Four weeks later, I'm still not completely healed."

In addition to being the first triplets born at St. Francis, the babies have another distinction. Lauren and Sidney are identical twins, and Rachel is fraternal, which is somewhat unusual. And yes, the parents can tell the children apart. So far, it hasn't be a problem picking them out of pictures either. That's because they haven't taken any since right after the babies were born.

"One of us is always holding a bottle and a baby," Tricia said. "There's no one to take a picture."