Beaming with joy, checkout girl Siobhan revealed: "Getting pregnant was a total accident but I've been given the most wonderful gift of three little beauties. It's magical!"
And proud dad Dean, a schoolboy just a year ago, held Siobhan tight as he told us: "When I heard it was triplets I shouted ‘Yes!' out loud.
And proud dad Dean, a schoolboy just a year ago, held Siobhan tight as he told us: "When I heard it was triplets I shouted ‘Yes!' out loud.
Dream
"We're only young, but we're going to be the best parents in the world."
Babies Shauny, 3lb9oz, Summer, 3lb14oz and Savanah, 3lb2oz, were delivered in that order by emergency caesarean section at Liverpool's Women's Hospital last Saturday.
Although nine weeks premature, all three are doing well in a special care unit—out of incubators and happily guzzling milk.
"We can't wait to get them home and care for them ourselves," sighed Siobhan as she gazed down lovingly at her instant brood.
The thought of wall-to-wall nappies and an end to carefree teenage years would be a nightmare for most kids their age. But astonishingly it's a dream come true for this determined young couple.
Until now Siobhan's only plans were to shop for clothes and maybe take a Spanish holiday. Dean's main concern was getting Grand Theft Auto IV for his X Box. Now he's saving for a triple baby buggy instead.
Refreshingly, they are determined to pay their way in the world and NOT go after handouts from the taxpayer.
"That's something we'd never do," insisted Siobhan who, until the birth, was making 45-minute bus trips to start work at 6am for Morrisons supermarket in Speke. "We've got lots of mates who just sit around doing nothing—some of them with kids already. But we're NOT after benefits or a council flat and as soon as my little girls are old enough I'll go straight back to work. I'm going to learn to drive to help get a better job."
Smiling Dean chipped in: "Me too—as soon as I'm old enough to get a provisional licence!"
Before becoming parents they spent their spare time playing pool and table tennis at a youth club or enjoying the occasional Chinese meal out. They don't smoke or drink.
Siobhan admitted: "I know people will say we've lost out, but we weren't doing anything we'll really miss. We've got great mums and a load of brothers and sisters— we'll never be short of babysitters."
Siobhan admitted: "I know people will say we've lost out, but we weren't doing anything we'll really miss. We've got great mums and a load of brothers and sisters— we'll never be short of babysitters."
She's been Dean's girlfriend for 18 months. Watching them care for their babies at the hospital is a revelation. These are no bungling kids. Expert nurses were happy to stand back and watch as Siobhan skilfully used a syringe to measure milk fed into Summer's tummy through a nasal tube.
"She was the heaviest and she's the greediest!" said proud Mum. And when it came to changing their tiny nappies devoted Dean was keen to take control, before kissing Siobhan tenderly on the temple. She said: "We've both grown up with lots of babies around, so we know what we're doing."
The new family will move in with Siobhan's mum Lynn, 48, at her three-bedroom council semi in Toxteth.
The new family will move in with Siobhan's mum Lynn, 48, at her three-bedroom council semi in Toxteth.
Lynn, who has three other grown-up daughters and now six grandkids, told us: "At first I was shocked by Siobhan's pregnancy. But they're old for their years and good through and through.
"Siobhan got a job straight from school and Dean's got his apprenticeship and is learning a trade. In this day and age, that makes them special. Three babies would be a struggle for any new mum, whatever age. But everyone will help and it'll be fine."
Perfect
Dean's mum Angie, 52—herself a twin with five kids aged from 10 to 30 and two other grandchildren—agreed. She said: "Dean's a good hardworking lad. He'll be a great dad."
Dean's mum Angie, 52—herself a twin with five kids aged from 10 to 30 and two other grandchildren—agreed. She said: "Dean's a good hardworking lad. He'll be a great dad."
The teenagers hugged and recalled the magic moment they first saw the scan that revealed THREE babies developing. Then Siobhan told of their dramatic birth early last Saturday. "Dean was by my side as the surgeon called out ‘Baby One!' and we heard her start to cry," she said.
"Baby Two and Baby Three followed and each was brought round a screen for us to see before being taken off to the incubators. It was just so wonderful, Dean and I couldn't believe it.
"We kissed each other and were so happy. Later we were able to touch them for the first time and picking up Summer, the biggest, was the most mindblowing, beautiful thing I could imagine. They were all so perfect and lovely.
"Baby Two and Baby Three followed and each was brought round a screen for us to see before being taken off to the incubators. It was just so wonderful, Dean and I couldn't believe it.
"We kissed each other and were so happy. Later we were able to touch them for the first time and picking up Summer, the biggest, was the most mindblowing, beautiful thing I could imagine. They were all so perfect and lovely.
"We both know coping will be tough at times, but we also know our little angels have been born into really loving families. And together we'll work to give them the very best life can give."
Handouts they won't be claiming
IF Siobhan and Dean had taken the easy route of milking the state, they could easily have netted around £1,600-a-month in benefits.
She would have received (per week) £52 income support, a total of £43.90 child benefit and £120.18 child tax credit. Dean could have claimed £52 income support. And the council would have had to house them at a cost of at least £500 a month. Instead trainee plasterer Dean is living on a pittance while he learns his trade. "I only get £30 a week," he said proudly.
IF Siobhan and Dean had taken the easy route of milking the state, they could easily have netted around £1,600-a-month in benefits.
She would have received (per week) £52 income support, a total of £43.90 child benefit and £120.18 child tax credit. Dean could have claimed £52 income support. And the council would have had to house them at a cost of at least £500 a month. Instead trainee plasterer Dean is living on a pittance while he learns his trade. "I only get £30 a week," he said proudly.
"But it will lead to a real job so I can look after Siobhan and the girls properly."
Siobhan was also in full-time employment and intends to go back to work as soon as she can. "My mum's always taught us right from wrong," she said. "And that means getting a job."
Because she's so young, Siobhan didn't qualify for maternity leave so she's had sick pay instead. As a worker, she will not even receive the government maternity grant of £500—that's only for benefits claimants.
But the young parents will be getting ONE handout they didn't expect—a year's free nappies from the Morrisons supermarket where Siobhan worked.
General manager Neil McCarthy said: "It's not every day one of our colleagues has triplets."
