TUTTLE, N.D. - Lynette and Dusty Johnson expected to have another large baby, after their first two weighed more than 9 pounds. Instead of one large baby, they got three.

Triplets Marissa, Silas and Anna were born Nov. 14. A community benefit was held last Sunday to help with medical costs and living expenses.

"It touches our hearts that (our neighbors) put other people's needs ahead of theirs," Dusty Johnson said.

The Johnsons' oldest child, Christopher, now 3, weighed more than 9 pounds at birth. His 1-year-old sister Abigail weighed 10 pounds, their mother said.

Lynette gave birth to the triplets at home, and her midwife quickly prepared for a multiple birth after Marissa, the first of the three, was born and she realized more babies were on the way.

The girls did well, but Silas was put on oxygen. When the canister ran out, he began to turn blue and Audrey Johnson, Dusty's mother, called 911.

Silas was in the hospital for 17 days. He is home now and doing well, his parents said. He put on a few ounces in the hospital, and within the first week of being home after his hospital stay, he put on a pound, his father said.

Lynette Johnson said she was able to go into town 2 1/2 days after the triplets were born, and it was reassuring to have her children at home.

"I wanted a quiet home birth," she said.

While Silas was in the hospital, the girls gained more weight than he did at home, Dusty Johnson said. Now, the triplets all weigh between more than 8 pounds.