Indian Hills population increases 2 by 3

INDIAN HILLS -- There's a rumor going around there is something in the water -- evidenced by not one, but two recent sets of triplets born to Indian Hills parents.

The Hindelang trio arrived first on April 2. Rudy and Dana Hindelang, who also have a daughter, Jessica, 18, welcomed their three boys at Carson-Tahoe Hospital.

"We have two nose guards and a tackle," said beaming father, Rudy.

Fraternal triplet Rudolph Joseph came first at 7:54 a.m. at 4.4 pounds, followed by brother, Christopher Jacob, who arrived at 7:55 a.m. at 5.5 pounds, and Alexander James, who arrived at 7:56 a.m. at 5.7 pounds.

The second set of triplets, to parents Jodi and Michael Schlarmann, includes Cole Thomas, who was born at 8:59 a.m. at 4.7 pounds, followed by sisters Lacey Rebecca, 3.6 pounds at 9:01 a.m. and Gabriella Marie, at 3.11 pounds at 9:02 a.m. on April 18 at Carson-Tahoe Hospital.

Baby Cole had to stay in the hospital for three weeks while he gained weight, but he returned home to his family last weekend.

Told of her triple pregnancy in August, Dana Hindelang said she was shocked.

"We were told to expect twins," she said. "But when they did the ultrasound, they saw three. I just thought, 'Omigosh.'

"We thought we were going to lose one, but we didn't."

Jodi Schlarmann said shock was also her first emotion when told in September she was having triplets.

"And then it was panic," she said.

Hindelang had invitro fertilization, where the egg is fertilized outside the woman's body, while Schlarmann had artificial insemination where the egg is fertilized in the body.

Both new mothers had the same fertility doctor in Reno, Dr. Russell Faulk, but had not met until recently when the families gathered at the Indian Hills General Improvement District's recreation office at the newly improved James Lee Park on Wednesday.

Recreation Coordinator Sandi Hamilton had prepared gifts for the new children, including 10 cases of diapers for each family, ballcaps with the Indian Hills logo, and baby T-shirts that read "Future Indian Hill Athletes."

"I can't wait to watch (the babies) grow up and play in our park," Hamilton said.

IHGID Board Trustee Dianne Humble-Fournier was on hand Wednesday too, as was the Schlarmann's maternal grandmother, Linda Burden, who is helping daughter Jodi with the handful.

"Two sets of triplets in Indian Hills is wonderful," Humble-Fournier said.

"Both families wanted children very badly," she said. "It just proves, be careful what you ask for."

Both families agree, the hardest thing to get used to when you have three new babies is lack of sleep.

A typical day means nearly 25 bottles and feedings each day, and between 25 and 30 diaper changings for their new children.