Life in the Robinson household has settled into a rhythm where moments to dream and look ahead finally exist.
Two years ago, Rita Robinson gave birth to triplets at 30 weeks. Each baby weighed less than 4 pounds, and her husband Greg wasn’t sure how he would take care of their needs and his wife’s as she recovered from multiple surgeries related to the pregnancy.
When Daily News readers were introduced to them, Niren had serious issues with his heart and was on a breathing machine. Zamen had a cyst on his brain and severe acid reflux. Little Zamyah had a hole in her heart and premature lungs.
Watch a video of the triplets. >>
See photos of the triplets. >>
“I run to the store and people still remember them,” Greg said with a smile. “They ask me how they’re doing.”
These days the triplets are walking and talking some.
“They are a handful at this age, oh my goodness,” Rita said. “I thought they were a handful when they were young. Oh no, no, no.”
Zamyah’s health problems are a thing of the past. Now she often plays or fights with her older sister, Niyah.
“Eat?” Zamyah said as she held her hand up for a high five. “Eat!”
“Eat? Eat? Say, ‘I’ll use that word for everything,’ ” Rita said with a laugh.
Zaman and Niren say a few words as well, but aren’t at the same level as Zamyah developmentally.
The boys aren’t eating solid food, and both might fall somewhere on the autism spectrum, Greg said.
All three receive speech therapy, and the boys are getting other types of therapy including physical and occupational.
The Robinsons find out Jan. 10 if Zamen is autistic, and are waiting until Niren’s heart issues are resolved to investigate that possibility with him.
Greg works a lot, but the family is getting by. Rita hopes to help with the family’s income again soon by relaunching her personalized jewelry business.
They are praying hard their children go forward and live normal lives. Rita even dreams about them getting married and she having grandchildren.
“We have come a long ways even though we’re still facing whatever we’re going through,” Rita said recently as she rocked Zamen. “I’m still thankful God got them through.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.
