Brian Johnson, a first-time dad, recently welcomed not one new addition to his family, but three.

The new father, who works full-time during the day as a mentor for at-risk youth, said that when he first saw Jessica Monaghan’s ultrasound, he wasn’t sure what he was looking at. Instead of one set of fingers, knees and toes, there were three.

Monaghan said she, too, was in shock.

“I cried,” she recalled with a laugh.

“It’s pretty exciting for me,” said Brian Johnson. “I’m blind going into this, which I think is a good thing.”

Both Brian Johnson and Jessica Monaghan are South Whidbey High School graduates. They live in Freeland.

Triplet girls Lola Rae, Layla Rose and Langley Reese Monaghan were born Aug. 20 at 9:59 p.m. Lola and Layla are identical twins, while Langley is a fraternal.

Monaghan has two older children: Lily, age 8 and Liam, age 6.

The older kids, said Brian Johnson, are still adjusting, though both have been a big help.

Lily recently brought her sisters to show-and-tell at school and for Liam, he joked, “it is kind of an estrogen overload.”

Five-time mom Jessica is currently staying at home, busily trying to keep up with regular feedings and varying sleep schedules. Johnson’s dad, Forrest Johnson, relocated from Texas to live with the couple and assist with caring for the kids.

“He’s doing more than any grandpa should,” said Brian Johnson. “‘Thank you’ could not even begin to describe it.”

When asked how many diapers the trio goes through regularly, Forrest Johnson joked, “What’s the national debt? Trillions?”

The family mentioned that diaper donations are welcome, and said that one of Brian Johnson’s acquaintances may hold a diaper drive in the near future.

Perhaps the most important thing, the parents said, is maintaining a routine.

“You just have to be flexible and realize you can’t do it all … be in the moment and be as present as possible.”

“They definitely let you know what they’re thinking,” said Johnson. He and Monaghan added that the three girls are already displaying distinct personalities.

From the beginning, the littlest Monaghans’ lives have not been altogether easy. For this reason, Monaghan said she suspects Lola will be the free spirit of the group.

Monaghan’s placenta ruptured during a hospital visit, leading to an emergency C-Section at 33 weeks. But the difficulty didn’t end there.

The parents credit Ian and Erin Slade — along with South Whidbey Fire/EMS crew members and Washington State Ferries staff — with helping to save Lola’s life aboard the ferry to Mukilteo.

Brian Johnson explained that Lola, within 24 hours of being discharged, had not been feeding and had developed a rash and “marbling” on her skin which had ascended her torso. When the couple realized that something wasn’t right, Brian Johnson headed back to the hospital; but while on board, Lola’s organs began to shut down. While her father was able to give her CPR, it was Ian Slade, a doctor parked behind Brian Johnson, who resuscitated her when she again lost consciousness. Another person provided an oxygen mask, said Brian Johnson, and at the Mukilteo dock, an ambulance was at the ready.

“I threw my car keys to a stranger,” Johnson said, recounting that as he boarded the ambulance with Lola, the only thing on his mind was the safety of his newborn daughter.

It was later determined that Lola’s near-death was the result of late onset Strep B and a blood infection.

“There are angels looking over this girl,” said Johnson, explaining that doctors put Lola on antibiotics, restoring her to health.

Johnson and Monaghan noted that they are extremely grateful for the help of friends and family, from Brian Johnson’s mom and older brother, Jo and Duane Johnson, to Scott and Nancy Treggett, Tana Walker, Kay Stockholm, Bruce Blakeslee, Tina Daniels, Mandy Jones and the Slades.

The numerous community members who have doled out their support, said Johnson, are representative of the uniquely tight-knit community on the South End.

“That’s what makes South Whidbey special,” he said.

Update: Jessica Monaghan later said that she is accepting donations to help pay bills through a GoFundMe campaign at http://www.gofundme.com/whidbeytriplets.