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Home / Bay of Plenty Times / Lifestyle

Six of the best for Tressa

Bay of Plenty Times
3 Jan, 2011 09:29 PM3 mins to read

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Tressa Simonsen never expected to become a media superstar.
But after the Bay of Plenty Times published the story of her third twin pregnancy, she was in hot demand.
The Papamoa mum received phone calls from TV shows, radio stations, magazines and newspapers in Australia and New Zealand.
Her story appeared on Close
Up, and in New Zealand Woman's Weekly, Lucky Break, and newspapers throughout the country.
"I was really overwhelmed, I didn't expect it at all to get the press chasing me. It was like, oh my goodness," she said.
"I just feel really blessed to have my kids, they are all so healthy and happy. I couldn't ask for much more."
Tressa was already mum to twins Sharaz and Shaqiel, 10, and Daklan and Darius, 2, when she unexpectedly fell pregnant again.
Kelly and Kramer were born on September 5 - Father's Day - and Tressa beat the odds of 500,000 to one to become the mum of three sets of twins.
All three sets of twins are fraternal, which means they are not identical and come from two separate eggs.
Tressa has never been on fertility drugs and was told by her doctor she was "naturally fertile".
She was overwhelmed by support from the community - she was given gifts including a carseat and pram from people as far away as Oamaru.
Kelly and Kramer are both "good babies, thank goodness" - Kramer sleeps though the night, while Kelly wakes up once or twice.
But the family had a scare in early December when Kelly stopped breathing on two occasions and was taken to hospital.
It turned out he had an upper respiratory infection and is now in good health.
Despite 16 nappy changes a day, Tressa says motherhood is a breeze.
"Because I'm so content, [the children] are pretty chilled out," she said.
"At times I get a bit stressed but they make me laugh.
"Other mums say 'I've got one kid and I am stressed out', and I think really? Come and live in my shoes for a day."
The biggest challenge is financial - Tressa's partner Wiremu Kokiri is still looking for work and money is tight.
But the family moved into a five bedroom Housing New Zealand home in November, which has eased the pressure slightly.
And a generous gift from the Salvation Army meant the family got to enjoy Christmas - they received a Christmas tree and decorations, and presents for the children.
"Without them we wouldn't have had much of a Christmas at all," Tressa said.
And although things are sometimes tough, Tressa hopes to have even more children.
"I would really like to have some more, but not any time soon."

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