upworthy

A couple struggling to get pregnant celebrates the surprise birthย  of identical triplet boys

"Three beautiful identical triplet boys starting their NICU journey ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’™"

triplets, IVF, first christmas
thepagetrio/TikTok

Identical triplets Enzo, Anjo and Cruz Page.

A family in England welcomed an early Christmas present. Shannon, 29, and Ace Page, 28, welcomed surprise identical triplets through in vitro fertilization (IVF) after first being told by doctors that they were only expecting twins. "Life has changed so much since the boys were born as they are now our main priority and all that matters now," Shannon tells Upworthy. "It feels amazing to finally be parents, especially going from feeling like we were never going to be parents to having 3 beautiful boys."

The couple from Wincanton in Somerset, tried to conceive naturally for years before they had their first embryo implanted in March 2024. They began documenting their pregnancy journey on TikTok. During their 7-week scan, where they were told by doctors that twins were on the way.

However, at the couple's 9-week scan, they found out Shannon was also carrying baby #3. An ultrasound technician tells Shannon and Ace that there are three "really nice, strong heartbeats."

โ€œThere was only supposed to be one as they transferred one embryo, we are so happy๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’™,โ€ the couple wrote on TikTok after sharing a video of the ultrasound.

@thepagetrio

When we went for our first IVF scan and had a surprise ๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ #ivf #ivfjourney #triplets #ivfsuccess #infertility

In the couple's next TikTok post, they announced all three babies were boys at a gender reveal party where Shannon and Ace popped balloons that contained blue confetti. Ace excitedly runs over to his group of guy friends, jumping and hugging at the happy news.

@thepagetrio

Identical Triplet gender reveal #genderreveal #genderrevealparty #ivf #triplets #identicaltriplets

Soon after, Shannon began experiencing health issues during the pregnancy and stopped posting on TikTok. In the next post, she detailed her scary experience carrying the baby boys to term.

@thepagetrio

Our crazy identical triplet journey๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’™ #triplets #identicaltriplets #pregnancy #ivf #ivfjourney #nicubaby #neonatal

โ€œAt 17 weeks I kept fainting and this time I was unconscious for a considerable amount of time,โ€ she shared.

Sadly, a later scan found that one of the triplets would likely not make it to Week 21 due to a twin to twin transfusion. The couple were advised by doctors to terminate it in hopes of saving the other two. โ€œThat came with risk of harming them all,โ€ Shannon wrote, โ€œSo we decided to let nature take its course and deal with whatever happened naturally.โ€

On October 6, 2024 (with the boys at 29 weeks and 6 days), she went into laborโ€“defying doctors expectations. She underwent a C-section, and welcomed all 3 brothers into the world: Enzo (who weighed just 2 pounds, 11 ounces), Aljo (2 pounds, 13 ounces) and Cruz (2 pounds, 7 ounces).

"Three beautiful identical triplet boys starting their NICU journey ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’™," the couple wrote.

The triplets immediately were moved to the NICU, where they still remain but continue to grow stronger. Cruz contracted and overcame a stomach infection called NEC in mid-November that required him to be isolated from his brothers while taking 3 different antibiotics and going 10 days without feeding. Shannon also shared that baby Enzo is doing well without breathing support, while baby Aljo still requires some breathing support.

All three babies are currently healthy. Although they are not yet home, the brothers are already getting in the holiday spirit. "It would mean the world for us to have the boys home in time for their first Christmas surrounded by family," Shannon tells Upworthy.

@thepagetrio

Identical triplets first christmas! #identicaltriplets #triplets #babyboy #babylove #nicu #nicu #tripletsoftiktok #nicubaby #ivf #mom #fyp #viral_video #viralvideos #christmas #firstchristmas

Shannon and Ace dressed all three boys in matching 'First Christmas' onesies, complete with tiny mistletoe beanies.

"Merry Christmas from the boys," they wrote in the video.

via Meg Sullivan (used with permission) and Canva/Photos

A volunteer hands out food in a food bank and Meg Sullivan shares her dad's kind gesture.

When we consider people who have had a positive impact on the world, we often think of those who have made grand gestures to improve the lives of others, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Greta Thunberg, or Mahatma Gandhi. Unfortunately, that type of effort is out of reach for the average person.

However, O Organics would like to remind everyone that they can positively impact the world through small, consistent acts of kindness that add up over time. Much like how a small creek can create a valley over the years, we can change lives through small, consistent acts of kindness.

O Organics is dedicated to the well-being of all by nourishing people everywhere with delicious organic foods grown by producers who meet USDA-certified organic farming standards.

Upworthy's Instagram page recently posted a touching example of everyday kindness. Meg Sullivan shared how her father, Tom, peeled oranges for her lunch just about every day from kindergarten through high school. But on the final day of her senior year of high school, he sent his 17-year-old daughter unpeeled oranges with a touching note about how sheโ€™d have to start peeling them for herself.



โ€œItโ€™s Time Baby Girl,โ€ he wrote on a wikiHow printout on how to peel an orange with a drawing of himself crying. For the father, this daily ritual was about more than just making lunch; it was about showing that he cared by going the extra mile. โ€œI could have put money on her lunch account,โ€ Tom told Today.com. โ€œBut itโ€™s one of those little things I thought was important, that she knows somebodyโ€™s taking the time to take care of her.โ€

The small, daily gesture taught Megan an essential lesson in kindness.

The post reminded people how their fathersโ€™ small acts of kindness meant so much to them. โ€œMy dad peeled my oranges until I graduated high school, too. Now, I peel my daughterโ€™s oranges and will for the next 7 plus years,โ€ Katie wrote in the comments. โ€œLove this. My dad peeled mine, too. When I moved out, he gave me an orange peeler gadget,โ€ Mary added.

o organics, albertson's giving backO Organics has a wide array of foods and flavors covering almost everything on your shopping list.via Albertson's

Did you know that every time you go to the supermarket, you can also change the world through small gestures? O Organics not only allows you to feed your family delicious and nutritious organic food, but each purchase also gives back to help people and communities facing food insecurity.

Through contributions from customers like you, O Organics donates up to 28 million meals annually. The companyโ€™s contribution is essential when, according to the USDA, 47.4 million Americans live in food-insecure households.

O Organics has a wide array of foods and flavors covering almost everything on your shopping list. โ€œOver the years, we have made organic foods more accessible by expanding O Organics to every aisle across our stores, making it possible for health and budget-conscious families to incorporate organic food into every meal,โ€ Jennifer Saenz, EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer at Albertsons, one of many stores where you can find O Organics products, said in a statement.

O Organics now offers over 1500 items, from dairy products such as eggs and milk to packaged meats and breakfast staples such as cereal bars, granola and oatmeal. You can also enjoy affordable organic produce with O Organicsโ€™ fresh salads and fruit.

Everybody wants to make the world a better place. With O Organics, you can feed your family healthy, organic food every time you go to the market while paying it forward by contributing to the companyโ€™s efforts to end food insecurity nationwide. Thatโ€™s a small, daily gesture that can amount to incredible change.

@bllshfrv/Reddit, Wikipedia

Nearly two years of learning a languageโ€ฆsomething's had to have stuck.

In the age of algorithms and keywords and incredibly steep competition, people have to be more strategic and creative than ever to secure a good job. Especially when it comes to drafting a resume that stands out amongst hundreds of others.

Recently, one job recruiter was so impressed by one job seekerโ€™s clever idea of listing their 671-day Duolingo streakโ€”alongside a fluency in English and limited American Sign Language โ€”under the "languages" section in their resume that he decided to share it online.

According to Newsweek, the job recruiter, named Bilal Ashrafov, was pleasantly surprised, and had even considered including something similar on his own resume, โ€œbut wasn't sure if it would come across as professional.โ€

โ€œSeeing someone take that first step made me reflect on its relevance,โ€ he said, noting that โ€œa long-standing Duolingo streak can demonstrate dedication and continuous learning,โ€ even if the popular app only requires a minute of practice a day.

After sharing the resume onto Reddit, others seemed to agree, and commended the potential employee for their innovative approach.

"Imagine explaining that in an interviewโ€”'I'm not just consistent, I'm Duolingo consistent!'" one viewer quipped.

Another commented, "If I was hiring, I would definitely interview this person."

Still another said, "It got noticed, didn't it? Sounds like not too bad of an idea."

Considering that there are a few ways folks can keep their Duolingo streak intact without truly getting proficient in a language, like continuing to purchase streak freezes, this idea might never take on as the new resume must-have. But, on a much broader scale, this story highlights the need to bring a bit of ourselves to our resumes. As the concept of portfolio careers, or a career that includes multiple income streams, rather than a single job title, becomes more and more mainstream, weโ€™ve seen people find great success in listing what they uniquely bring to the table, professional or otherwise.

When it comes to adding resume items that pop, and offer a true reflection for who you really are, think about including:

Soft skills:

These are personal qualities that describe how you work and interact with others, such as conflict resolution or time management, and they are not only gaining importance across the workforce, but are highly transferable across different types of work.

Personal projects:

Whether you got paid for these isnโ€™t paramount here. If you led a community initiative your passionate about, or even have a long-standing blog about something that interests you, this could be included.

Technical skills beyond the job description:

Do you have a proficiency in certain programs, like coding languages, data visualization, project management, etc? Even if a job doesnโ€™t specifically ask for these skills, they could be helpful additions.

Creative or unique hobbies:

You never know what interesting conversations your oddball pastime might inspire, if anything else. So donโ€™t be embarrassed if youโ€™re a wiz a Photoshopping old-timey puppy portraits or engage in recreating Scandinavian folk tunes with GarageBand.

Community involvement:

This can be your volunteering roles, and mentorship programs you might have participated in, or even charities you have close ties to.

Academic achievements:

Include relevant published research papers or presentations, and awards or honors you received during your studies, or any significant contributions you might have made to a research project

These are just a few suggestions to get you started. Include a few, or perhaps your own impressive Duolingo streak, or something else. Just remember, sometimes it pays to think outside the box.

Most of us had one of those neighbors growing upโ€”the one who gave us the stink eye if we so much as looked at their perfectly mowed lawn and shooed us away if even our shadows crept onto their flower beds. There's a reason "Get off my lawn!" was a meme before memes were even a thing.

Then there are neighbors who rock. The ones who smile and wave through the window and share their fresh-baked cookies with the neighborhood kids. The folks who genuinely enjoy the vibrant energy that children bring to the block and embrace the idea of "it takes a village."

When one of the guys behind Canyon Chasers, a motorcycle enthusiast website, shared a video of how he handled a kid who kept playing in his driveway when he wasn't home, it wasn't clear at first which kind of neighbor he was going to be. But then he explains how his security footage showed a preschooler riding his bike around his flat concrete driveway every evening, and how he decided to do something about it.

And what ensued was the best Anti-Get-Off-My-Lawn move that ended up pleasing more neighbors than he anticipated.

How I Deal With Kids Playing in My Driveway | The Saga of My Driveway Racetrackwww.youtube.com

How fun would that have been when you were a kid? And how great that he made a new one each time it rained? And how delightful is it that people of all ages showed up to enjoy it?

Imagine a world where all neighbors were this thoughtful and generous with their time and property. More of this, please.


This article originally appeared five years ago.

@callmebelly/TikTok

An excellent reminder to show kindness and patience.

Listening to a baby cry during a flight might be aggravating, but itโ€™s nothing compared to the moans, groans, and eyerolls that the baby's parents must endure from other passengers when it happens. No matter what tips and tricks are used to try to soothe a little oneโ€™s temperament while 30,000 miles in the air, crying is almost inevitable. So, while having to ease their own childโ€™s anxiety, moms and dads also must suffer being the pariah of the trip. What a nightmare.

Recently, one mom was apparently trying so hard to avoid upsetting her fellow flight members that she went above and beyond to essentially apologize ahead of time if her baby began to cry on its first flight. It was a gesture that, while thoughtful, had folks really feeling for how stressed that poor mom must be.

In a clip posted to his TikTok, one of the passengersโ€”Elliotโ€”explained that the mom handed out small care packages to those nearby.

โ€œSheโ€™s already so busy and took the time to make these bags for everyone,โ€ Elliot said, before panning the camera to reveal a Ziplock bag full of candy, along with a note that made him โ€œwant to cry.โ€

The note read: โ€œItโ€™s my first flight. I made a deal to be on my best behaviourโ€”but I canโ€™t make any guarantees. I might cry if I get scared or if my ears start to hurt. Here are some treats to make your flight enjoyable. Thank you for being patient with us. Have a great flight.โ€

Like Elliot, those who watched the video felt some ambivalence at the well intentioned act. Many felt remorse that she would feel the need to appease people in this way.

โ€œThis is so sweet but also โ€ฆ kind of breaks my heart that we live in a world in which parents feel the need to do that.โ€

โ€œBecause jerk people have shamed parents into believing that they need to apologize for their kids' absolutely normal behavior. What a gem of a mom.โ€

โ€œYou know that sweet mom worried about this trip so much.โ€

โ€œThat poor mom probably spent nights awake โ€ฆ nervous about that flight, thinking of ways to keep strangers happy.โ€

"That's a mom trying so hard."

Many rallied behind the mom, arguing that making others feel more comfortable with her child being on board was in no way her responsibility.

โ€œNo mom should be apologizing. Adults can control their emotions โ€ฆ babies not โ€ฆ. Hugging this mom from a distance.โ€

โ€œDear new parents: no you donโ€™t have to do this. Your babies have the right to exist. We all know babies cry. We know you try your best.โ€

Luckily, there are just as many stories of fellow passengers being completely compassionate towards parents with small childrenโ€”from simply choosing to throw on their headphones during a tantrum (instead of throwing one themselves) to going out of their way to comfort a baby (and taking the load of a parent in the process). These little acts of kindness make more of an impact than we probably realize. Perhaps if we incorporated more of this โ€œit takes a villageโ€ mindset, flying could be a little bit more pleasant for everyone involved.

It's entirely possible that someone has rapped Dr. Seuss stories before, but I've never seen it. Now that I have seen it, the rhyming children's classics I've read over and over to my kids are never going to be the sameโ€”and not in a bad way.

Filmmaker Wes Tank has taken some of Dr. Seuss's most popular stories and rapped them over Dr. Dre beats in a mashup so perfect it's a wonder it hadn't been done a million times before. Check out his rap of the tongue-twisting Fox in Sox. If you've ever tried to read this book out loud, you know how challenging it is not to flub, especially the second half. To rap it like Tanks does is an incredibly impressiveโ€”and enjoyableโ€”feat.

FOX IN SOX | Dr. Seuss Raps over Dr. Dre Beatswww.youtube.com

The comments on the videos are almost as entertaining as the videos themselves. Here's what people are saying about the Fox in Sox rap:

"All of a sudden the coronavirus isn't the illest thing out there."

"Am now convinced Dr.Seuss was some rapper's ghost writer."

"I've listened to this maybe 7 times so far. Still not sick of it."

"Yo, the tweedle beetle battle bit was fire."

Tank also rapped the cautionary environmental tale, The Lorax.

THE LORAX | Dr. Seuss Raps over Dr. Dre Beatswww.youtube.com

And people loved it.

"I'm devastated to think that there are only a finite number of Dre beats & Seuss books. Please don't ever stop."

"I didn't think rapping dr Seuss books was something I needed in my life but now I know better."

"This is way better than the movie was."

"Omg I just told my seven-year-old there was a new Doctor Seuss rap video, and now he's jumping up and down screaming with excitement, and begging to go to bed... ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ Thanks?!"

How about a little One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish?

ONE FISH, TWO FISH, RED FISH, BLUE FISH | Dr. Seuss Raps over Dr. Dre Beatswww.youtube.com

And the comments keep on coming:

"This guy just filled a niche I didn't even know existed."

"Dr. Seuss' books weren't part of my childhood. Rap isn't really my thing. Why do I find these videos so awesome? Because they are amazing!"

"You are frighteningly good at this."

"3:05 is the literal definition of how to hit a beat with ferocity."

So far, it looks like Tanks has six Dr. Seuss/Dr. Dre videos on his YouTube channel, which you can check out here.

Well done, Wes Tanks. (Personal requestโ€”do The Sneetches next, please and thank you.)


This article originally appeared five years ago.

My best friend lives in San Diego. One day a few years ago, her teenage son came home and told her he'd made a new friend at the skate park. He talked about how they had struck up a conversation, the guy had given him some pointers, and they'd chit-chatted about this and that. "He was really cool," her son said. Then he showed her a selfie they'd taken together.

Yeah, his "new friend" was the skateboarding icon Tony Hawk. True story. Tales of Tony Hawk not being recognized as Tony Hawkโ€”even for people who actually know who Tony Hawk isโ€”have become the stuff of legends. The 56-year-old made a name for himself in the skateboarding world decades ago and is credited with bringing the sport into the mainstream. Even in 2020, he was listed among the Top 10 skateboarders of all time. He's had his own video game, cameos in film and television shows, his own clothing lineโ€”everything, apparently, but a recognizable face.

The "people not recognizing Tony Hawk as Tony Hawk" thing is so common it's become a meme of its own. Hawk himself jokes about it all the time, sharing hilarious interactions he has with people on his Twitter account.

This one from a couple of years ago has re-gone viral:

Which is just one of many similar stories. Hawk told Business Insider that it happens often, but he only shares the interactions that are the funniest.



Now the meme itself results in some funny interactions with people.


People's funny reactions to the meme are becoming their own meme: "I will know Tony Hawk when I see him."




Part of what makes the whole thing so delightful is that Tony Hawk himself is so delightful. He's down-to-earth, friendly, doesn't take himself too seriously, does a lot of connecting out in the community, and is just a genuinely likable guy.


And to top it all off, he's still a heck of a skater. Though he retired from the pro circuit in 1999, he still skateboards for fun and charity. In fact, he recently landed a 720โ€”two full 360-degree turns in the air off a rampโ€”which isn't easy for even a young skater to pull off, and then auctioned the board to raise money to help build more public skateparks. (He did say it might be his last time pulling off that trick, but who knows. Good for him for pushing the age envelope.)

Tony Hawkโ€”skating legend, father of five, nice guy to all, supporter of community parks, and man that everyone adores but nobody recognizesโ€”thanks for being such a ray of sunshine in our world. May we know you when we see you, or at least be entertaining enough to make your Twitter account if we don't.


This article originally appeared four years ago.