The cost of basics for infant triplets

OMH, AJH, HRH Chilling out. 

When we got over the initial shock of finding out we were having naturally occurring triplets (I still think we haven’t realized it yet) the first thing we said to each other was how in the hell are we going to pay for this. We got on the internet and started to search we couldn't of been the first couple to have them and it has to be somewhere. We couldn't find anything more than don’t worry things will work out. Well for all those to be parents panicking out there here is what it cost us to have infant triplets. Disclaimer: Not all the costs, housing, childcare, transportation, and sanity for mom and dad  are here those topics will be coming this is just the basics. 

Basics 

Pampers Diapers 162 Count	$45.97 (amazon.com)	.28 each
Wipes 504 Count	$10.97 (amazon.com)	.02 each
Formula 23.2 Ounces (6)	$149.99 (amazon.com)	.09 ounce

Average amount used per day

Diapers	12 (on a good day)	$3.36
24 Wipes	30	$0.60
Formula (5oz)	30oz day	$27.90
Total		$31.74

That puts your weekly cost at $222.18 give or take a few bucks.

Reducing the Cost

Off Brand wipes and diapers: Try different brands of diapers and wipes to see what works best, while Elmo is cute does he really have to be on the outside or your kids diaper? We found Target brand diapers to be just as good as the name brand and had about a 1/3 of the cost of the name brand. They even go on sale once and a while, and if you aren't scared of getting hacked they offer 5% off with the Red Card right? 

Stock pile before babies are born (if you can): Now if you are reading this before your baby (or babies) are born go to the store right now and buy a big thing of diapers a wipes! Start stocking up, we were lucky enough to have some space in the basement every payday before the boys came we went to Sam's club and bought a box of diapers usually size 1 or larger, and a box of wipes. We didn't have to buy wipes or diapers for months after the boys came home which helped when the formula was recalled and we could only buy the liquid form (twice the price of the powdered) Note on the formula: we couldn't buy this before hand since we didn't know what kind they would need, soy, or milk based, colic, etc.... 

Coupons, Discount Sites: Pampers and Huggies both offer rewards programs beg and plead your friends for their codes to earn free diapers and wipes. Check places like www.coupon.com who often times have 1 or 2 dollar off coupons. Also scope out local grocery stores that are still silly enough to offer double coupons up to a dollar, this is a great trick for the wipes. Have your friends print the coupons from the sites too, or co-works, the more the better!

Swap and Trade: On more than one occasion the boys had to change their formula leaving us with pounds of it sitting around. Same with diapers they would go to bed in a size 1 and wake up needing a 2. Craigslist is a great place to unload these items and to pick up some. There are other parents out their who are in the same situation and you can find if for a discount. Hey every little bit helps. 

Lights, Camera, Oliver!

Smile for the camera!

There isn't an accessory he doesn't love, a costume to small, or a wig to bright for this little guy. He was born to be on the stage, all of them. He loves to sing, and not your baby nursery stuff, his current favorite is "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghb6eDopW8I which he knows all the words even if he doesn't understand them. His talents move to theater generally acting out baby animals such as Unicorns, Penguins, and Dolphins strangely enough they all have the same high pitched screeching call. He transforms from Tony Stark to Iron Man the blink of an eye often times refusing to remove his armor for bath or bedtime. Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Blue Iron man, Jayden the red power ranger, and Thomas the train all live with us from time to time as well.

But it could be worse right!

Oliver aka Iron Man lounging. 

All aboard, here comes Alex!

This is an electric train caring cargo (his words)

Before we had three little boys I knew nothing about trains (or dinosaurs). Not true I knew they existed. But did you know that they are 100's of different kinds of trains? Diesel, Electric, Steam, Maglev, Monorail, .. well Alex does and can tell you all about them. Our little train engineer would love nothing more than to spend his days at the train yard, or depot, or quarry, where ever trains are he wants to be in the thick of it.  

Each night I will tell them a story before bed Alex's asks for me to tell him a story about how he rides a Steam train to the toy store where he buys trains. It is full of adventure and suspense but always ends with Alex having a cart full of toy model trains and accessories to built a whole land. 

And did you know there is a whole community of people who spend THOUSANDS of dollars building little towns of model trains and take it very seriously, and post videos about it online? Alex does and will beg and plead and negotiate to watch them all over an over again. 

But I guess it could be worse he could into girls already!!

Henry and the Dinosaurs

Once upon a time in a land far far away called Akron lived a little boy named Henry. His whole life was about dinosaurs (and the color orange). 

Henry what do you want to do today? "Find Dinosaurs"
Henry let's go to the park? "To see dinosaurs?"
What do you want to watch? "Dinosaurs"

While we love he is excited about something it has become an issue in that he doesn't accept the fact dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years and the closest relatives are of no interest to him. (Birds, and Alligators to name a few)

We don't go anywhere without dinosaurs

Often times a trip to the grocery store will result in tears when he failed to spot a Compsognathus. Or when we head come and an Allosaurus isn't waiting for him in his room. Car trips are spend glaring out the windows in search of a Platesosaurus, and of course the king of them all Tyrannosaurus Rex.

We love him just the same and realize things could be worse he could interest in girls already!

No candy Easter

After copious amount of candy flowing into our house from Halloween to Valentines day we decided it was time to take a break from the candy. Now Easter is in fact my favorite candy holiday, Cadbury cream eggs, peanut butter eggs, and of course Starburst jelly beans for days. But what isn't my favorite is hyper active 4 year olds fighting and crying at 9:30 at night because they have been on the sugar juice all day. The other factor was we knew candy would seep in the house anyway, the preschool did an easter egg hunt with candy, dear friends sent wonderful treats including candy which filled the void. So they got bubbles, new big boy cups some toys that can break easy and a new tooth brush, that is right a toothbrush but who wouldn't like one? What is nice is that we also have a break from candy holidays until the 4th of July, we don't give candy for memorial day right?

Back in Business

A lot has changed in the last 2 years, the boys have gotten older, we have moved from New Jersey to Ohio, new house, new jobs, and a new perspective. 

Over the past 4 years we have had lots of family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers inquire about the boys and what it is like to raise triplets. We get a ton of questions and are always happy to answer what we can. But when we have questions we find it hard to find what we are looking for. Our goal now is to share what has worked and quiet frankly what hasn't in the hopes of supporting any family who's kids outnumber the parents, but wouldn't have it any other way. 

We look forward to sharing our past adventures and new journeys with you all. 

Saying Goodbye

As you all can tell it has been some time since I posted. I started this blog with the hopes of having a fun way for family and friends to see updates on the boys and share happy memories. Any other parent can tell you that keeping up a blog and up with toddlers is extremely difficult. Also we wanted to try and make to we kept or family's life with our friends and family while we loved that many of you shared our blog with your friends and family we also want to protect our boys.

I plan to continue to share funny stories and great memories with you all just in person, by phone, or email directly.

All the best,
Sadie Padie