OVERJOYED parents Phil and Lindsey Whittaker have got their hands full after welcoming home their new-born triplets this week.
The couple's three bundles of joy - Benjamin George (4lb 8oz), Joshua James (3lb 4oz) and Ella Grace (4lb 5oz) - were born seven weeks early on 20 January.
And on Tuesday the tiny trio were finally allowed back to the family home in Barnard Close, Oswaldtwistle, fighting fit against the odds.
Lindsey was told during her pregnancy that Joshua had a heart problem. Surgeons were on hand at the birth in case they needed to operate. But as it turned out, he was born looking so healthy no-one was sure which was the poorly one.
Lindsey, 35, explained that Joshua would still need an operation when he was older, but he had been allowed home with his brother and sister and was doing very well.
It wasn't all plain sailing, though.
Just a couple of days before the birth, staff at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, were desperately ringing around other neo-natal units to find somewhere with three available incubators.
Lindsey explained: "There was a bit of a panic as there were not enough incubators available there initially. Luckily, they all came free on the crucial day.
"The neo-natal staff were absolutly fantastic, they couldn't have done more. We are very grateful for all their help."
Phil, 36, said the babies, who were born by caesarean section, were now getting to know their two older sisters Sophie, eight, and Lauren, 11, both pupils at St Mary's Primary School, Oswaldtwistle.
And he said the newest additions to his family were already developing individual personalities, with little Joshua being the most alert, Ella the sleepy one and Benjamin a little grumpy.
Looking back to when she first found out she was expecting, Lindsey said: "We were absolutely gobsmacked. I had been having fertility treatment for four years, so you can imagine the shock at finding out I was pregnant with triplets."
The family have had to buy an extra-large seven-seater car and they are currently having their garage converted into a large bedroom with an ensuite for the two older girls.
Phil, a station officer at Hyndburn Community Fire Station, is planning to go back to work once the triplets are settled at home. However, Lindsey plans to be on maternity leave from her job as an insurance clerk for at least the next 12 months.
