Jamestown triplets get bigger

One Jamestown couple is getting used to sets of threes.

Three cribs, three baby-carriers and almost three dozen diapers — every day.

Tim and Kim Eggers are the parents of triplets, Liam Tye, Ada Georgina and Sophie Marie, born Nov. 15 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo.

Triplets occur naturally in about one in every 10,000 births, according to WebMD.

Liam, born first and weighing 3 pounds, 5 ounces, is now the smallest, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces, at his last weigh-in, his mother said, but he’s feisty too.

“He’s going to pay them back, I think,” Tim said of his son, who for 32 weeks and three days, grew beneath his sisters in their mother’s womb.

Ada, born weighing 4 pounds, 4 ounces, at 2:05 a.m., a minute after her brother, now weighs 8 pounds, 3 ounces, Kim said. The middle child, Ada, is laid-back, Kim said.

And Sophie, born weighing 3 pounds, 4 ounces, at 2:06 a.m., now weighs 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Dressed in pink, Sophie is the “girly-girl.”

“If she doesn’t get her way, she screams,” Tim said.

The triplets prefer to sleep in the same crib instead of individual ones, Kim said, and MeritCare nurses told the parents Liam missed his sisters after the girls had been discharged from the hospital Dec. 5, about five days before he got to go home.

The triplets have similarities, their mother said, but differences too.

All three have blue eyes, Kim said, but that might change. Sophie and Liam’s hair is light compared to Ada’s dark.

But Liam, Ada and Sophie are individuals, Kim said, with different personalities, identities and even style. Kim, who plans to stay home until the triplets start kindergarten, said she doesn’t intend to dress them alike.

But as for soccer or saxophone, 4-H or four-wheelers, Kim and Tim agree they’ll leave their children’s pursuits to each child.

“We’re supportive — whatever they want to do,” Kim said, holding Sophie in one arm and a bottle in the other.

Next to her, Liam rested in his dad’s arms, feeding without even opening his eyes.

And Ada, wrapped in green blankets, slept noiselessly on the third couch cushion.

Their parents hope for health and happiness.

“And that you all get along together,” Kim said.

So far, even the family dog, Simcoe, an Australian shepherd-Alaskan husky mix, seems to get along the newborns. Sometimes he’s even protective, Tim said.

The Eggers have their hands, laps and house full, but they also have help.

Kim’s parents, Jeanie and Roger Haverlock, Powell, Ohio came to their aid. Jeanie stayed with Kim throughout her three months of bed rest.

And Tim’s parents, Dale and Jean Eggers of Carrington, N.D., have lent their hands too. Jean helps Tim and Kim at their home.

Other family members, as well as fellow church members, neighbors and friends sent gifts, prepared meals, mowed grass and shoveled driveways, Kim said.

“Ever since we’ve been discharged from the hospital, we had help,” Tim said.

The Eggers are still getting used to their new family, saying they learn something new everyday.

Skills including “multi-tasking,” Kim said, and “changing diapers,” Tim added.

Although they’re still adjusting, child No. 4 may not be far behind.

“We’re not saying no, we’re not saying yes,” Kim said.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com

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