THE parents of baby triplets have welcomed in the new year after a traumatic start to 2010.

The triplets’ first birthday on December 29 was marked with celebration for their parents Rebecca and Iain Jenkinson, of Beech Road, Stockton Heath.

It came after doctors gave baby Alexander the all-clear just weeks earlier after he underwent a life- saving heart operation when he was two weeks old.

When Gabriella, Alexander and Zachary were born by caesarean section just after Christmas 2009, the happy event was overshadowed by worry.

Rebecca, a planner for Vodafone in Birchwood, lost three litres of blood and was given a transfusion.

Alex, who weighed just 4lb, was rushed to a special unit at Alder Hey Hospital, in Liverpool, after consultants realised he had a birth defect where there was a reversal in two of the main blood vessels to the heart.

He was reunited with his siblings at the end of January after surgeons saved his life with a nine-hour operation.

Rebecca, aged 34, said: “Alex has been brilliantly well since his operation. The staff there were wonderful.”

Iain, aged 35, a director at property firm GVA Grimley, and Rebecca are now finding life a little easier. Their Christmas festivities included a party to mark the triplet’s first birthdays.

The one-year-olds have already formed their own personalities.

Iain said Gabriella will eat everything and pays great attention to detail, Alexander is the loudest and bossiest while Zachary loves a challenge.