Life as a First-Time Dad with Triplets

First-time dad, Dennis Tan, opens up about welcoming and raising his triplets, the Tan Triplets.

Becoming a father for the first time is an incredible journey — one that’s filled with joy, anticipation, and perhaps a touch of nervousness. But imagine the awe and wonder multiplied by three! Meet Dennis Tan, a first-time dad who recently welcomed the arrival of not one, but three beautiful bundles of joy into his life. The birth of his triplets has thrust him into a whirlwind of sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, and a newfound appreciation for the chaos and love that comes with being a parent. And as this first-time dad navigates the challenges and delights of raising his extraordinary trio, the Tan Triplets, his heart overflows with love, and he is determined to be the best dad he can be for his precious three.

A unique path to parenthood

Dennis and his wife Dimple both work in the marketing field and met back in 2011 where they quickly became good friends. “We were both big nerds, bonding over our shared love of TV shows and movies. We would stay up late exchanging messages about our favorite characters, theories, and predictions,” he explains.

After dating for a few years, the two tied the knot in 2018. And just this year, they welcomed their triplets — a girl and two boys. “It was definitely the best and most surprising news we’ve ever received. There are some days that I still can’t believe it,” he laughs.

Getting pregnant for the couple wasn’t as straightforward compared to most. After tying the knot, they decided to enjoy married life first. “When we were finally ready, it didn’t happen as easily as we had hoped. It took us a while, and the stress of the pandemic didn’t help,” Dennis admits.

“We did everything we could to increase our chances. We saw an OB regularly, changed our diets, exercised, tried acupuncture, and even danced at Obando (a fertility festival held every year). It may have been one or all of these things that helped us, but we’re still not sure,” he shrugs. “I think another factor that helped was just relaxing and taking the pressure off.”

Trying to conceive is a more common experience for many millennial couples. And amidst uncertainties and setbacks, hope remains steadfast — lighting the way to the possibility of a future filled with fulfillment and joy. “To couples who are trying to conceive, I would say to not put too much pressure on yourselves. Pray. Believe that God has a plan for you,” Dennis advises.

Triple the love

In a whirlwind of excitement and astonishment, the news of expecting triplets brought a flood of emotions to Dennis, Dimple, and their families. “It took a while for the news to sink in. The first thing I did was Google the chances of having triplets. Apparently, it was 1 in 10,000! We felt a range of emotions: happiness, excitement, and admittedly, a little bit of fear. We were overjoyed to finally be pregnant, but we knew that a multiple pregnancy would come with its own challenges. I remember driving home after Dimple’s ultrasound in a daze,” he recalls.

“We couldn’t keep the good news to ourselves for long, so that same night we shared it with our families over a video call. Our loved ones were understandably shocked at first, but their reactions quickly turned to happiness. I think my mother even thought it was a prank at first!”

The challenges that lay ahead for Dennis and Dimple loomed large — from the logistical complexities of preparing for three babies to the physical demands on Dimple’s body. Not to mention — the overwhelming sense of responsibility that accompanies the prospect of raising three infants simultaneously.

One day at a time

The process of planning for one child versus planning for triplets as a first-time dad is a complete shift in perspective, as it entails meticulous organization and a deep understanding of the extraordinary demands that come with raising three little ones.

“So many things were happening all at once, and it was hard to plan too far ahead,” Dennis admits when asked how he tried to prepare his game plan for the arrival of three babies. “Our mantra during that time was, ‘One day at a time,’ which was a message I got from one of my Jiu-jitsu professors. (Thank you, Professor Raymond!) Those words meant a lot to us. Until now, we’re still figuring a lot of things out so we’re incredibly thankful for family and friends who are always there for us.”

Carrying the weight of three but with pillars of support

Dennis remembers that on Dimple’s sixth month, and right after a routine ultrasound, their OB had to put her on strict bed rest after seeing how short her cervix was already. “The combined weight of the triplets was putting a lot of stress on her body. Shortly after, we found out that she had also developed gestational diabetes. She was advised to stay at the hospital for the remainder of her pregnancy, and we ended up staying there for two months.”

“I was fortunate enough to be allowed to work remotely during that time, so I was able to attend to her. However, I know that we couldn’t have done it without the support of both our families. They came to visit us every day, and they even took shifts at the hospital so that I could get some rest. They brought us food and supplies, and they were always there to offer us encouragement. I am so grateful for all of their love and support. They helped us through a very difficult time.”

“I am also so thankful for my wife, Dimple, who was so strong and courageous throughout this whole journey. She is an amazing woman, and I am lucky to have her in my life. Also incredibly grateful for our three beautiful children, who are now the light of our lives.”

Meet the Tan Triplets

The eldest and only girl of the three is Julia, making her the easiest to identify. Her twin brothers, Lucas and Levi, are identical — though telling them apart isn’t too difficult. “Lucas is slightly bigger than Levi and has a small birthmark on the bridge of his nose.”

“Julia is the princess of the house. She loves to be carried and can get really fussy when she’s hungry. We think she’ll be masungit when she grows up which I like, so boys would think twice before approaching her,” Dennis laughs. “Lucas is the chill malambing one. He knows how to gently ask for his milk though he is also the slowest to finish it. He’s the least fussy of the three. Levi is the most malikot and will probably be the naughty one. He’s always moving around, and if you leave him alone for even a moment, he would have already teleported to the other side of the bed.”

The adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” emphasizes the collective effort and support from Dennis and Dimple’s family and friends, underscoring the notion that nurturing their triplets requires the contributions and guidance of many to ensure their well-being and growth. “I cannot imagine how we would get by without them. Even something as simple as going to a doctor’s appointment can be a logistical challenge when you have three newborns. We need two SUVs to fit all three car seats, three strollers, plus all the diapers, and bottles. It gets pretty crazy transporting these three dumplings.”

“We also haven’t been to the grocery store in quite a while. Our families have been taking care of that for us. We are so spoiled! But we are so grateful because it allows us to focus on the babies. There are countless ways our families have helped us, and they continue to be by our side every step of the way. We are so lucky that our children will grow up with such good role models.”

Values from a modern-day parent

Modern-day parents strive to instill certain values in their children such as empathy, inclusivity, resilience, and a strong sense of integrity. They recognize the importance of raising compassionate, open-minded, and adaptable individuals who are ready to thrive in an ever-evolving world. But for a first-time dad of triplets, Dennis emphasizes the value of kindness.

“I grew up being very competitive but I’ve learned to put that aside. I do not want to put any pressure on our kids to be the smartest or the most athletic. Kindness should always come first. Every day, we pray that our children grow up to be kind, respectful, and responsible individuals. The rest can follow.”

Read more about first-time dads or triplets:

This Gamer and First-Time Dad Shares The Importance of Self-Awareness

Cait Chan Go of Love C Manila Shares What It’s Like Raising Triplets

Trian Dela Torre: Local Wrestler, Vlogger, and First-Time Dad