Sunday, October 31 Happy Halloween!

Chris and I had a great snuggle weekend with the twins. These moments are priceless as we treasure our time to hold them close. No major changes over the weekend. Virginia is up to 2 lbs and 7 ounces. Reid is now 1 lb 13 ounces. It is wonderful to see them grow! We ask you to please pray that no infection will cause their progress to backtrack.
- Sally Thomas

Close up of Virginia. 

Mom with Virginia. 

Close up of little Reid. 

Chris and Reid snuggling. 

NICU Day 24

Reid and Virginia did well yesterday. Virginia is now in preemie clothes (see picture). We've included a picture of Virginia with Mom's arm for size reference. They are both alternating between nasal cannula and CPAP (pressure mask) without too much difficulty. If they continue to do well, and are able to breath without additional help and stimulation, then they will be moved to a "step-down unit" or intermediate unit for just feeding and growing. This probably won't happen for a few weeks though. Otherwise, we are praying for their vision and hearing tests in a couple of weeks to go well. Reid is at particularly high risk of retinopathy of prematurity based on his size. Thanks to everyone for their continued support and prayers. I'm returning to work on Monday and Sally will take over the site update role. My work has been amazing this month in letting me spend this time with my wife and children.
- Chris and Sally Thomas

Reid and Virginia learning to share. 

Virginia in clothes (Mom's arm there for size reference) 

NICU Day# 23

Reid and Virginia are both gaining weight and doing well. Both have some episodes of apnea of prematurity (which is normal for their age) but they will grow out of this. They are out of the "critical window" as they are past the equivalent of 30 weeks gestational age. Their 3 week birthdays were yesterday with Virginia being older by two minutes. I held Reid today for an hour and Sally held Virginia for about two hours.
- Chris and Sally Thomas

NICU Update Day 20

Reid and Virginia both had good days today. I held Reid for about one hour today - it's called a Kangaroo hold when you place the baby on your bare chest. It evidently helps the preemies to bond better by feeling their parents warmth and heartbeats. Sally was able to Kangaroo Virginia for about an hour too, although she is requiring CPAP (pressure oxygen mask) because of some decreased oxygen saturations yesterday. Overall, both are doing well and Virginia is recovering from her infection on antibiotics. Thanks to everyone for their continued blessings and support.
- Chris and Sally Thomas

Chris, Sal and Virginia - 10/24/04 

Chris "kangarooing" Reid 

NICU Day# 18

Virginia's spinal tap was negative for infection and she is responding well to antibiotics for the infection in her bloodstream. She is doing fairly well but continues to have apnea of prematurity at times, as does her brother Reid. This is a fairly common deal with preemies where they just "forget to breath" for a few seconds and require stimulation. They tell me this is something they grow out of with time. Reid is having some issues with reflux because of the short distance between his mouth and stomach so he is sleeping with his head elevated. The good news is that they are both still taking in feeds pretty well and Virginia hasn't required any CPAP (pressure oxygen through a mask) for some time. We continue to pray for our babies to grow and to fight infection during this critical time in their NICU stay. Thanks to everyone for their prayers, thoughts, and support.
- Chris Thomas

NICU Day# 17

Virginia had an eventful afternoon yesterday, unfortunately. She had a blood culture grow out bacteria (ie. bacteremia, or blood infection) so she had to undergo a spinal tap to make sure there was no evidence of meningitis. Results from the spinal tap are pending but she had no problems with the procedure. They "knocked her out" with some good sleepy medicine before doing the procedure. She was started on antibiotics and her fever has gone down. I was able to hold her tonight. Reid is well. He is on CPAP only about 4 hours a day and has increased enteral, or gut, feeds now. Sally is doing okay. She had a rough day yesterday but is doing better today, now that Virginia is a little better. Please pray for both babies to continue to eat well and fight infection.
- Chris Thomas

NICU Day# 16

Both Reid and Virginia did pretty well today. Virginia had a fever and needed a little blood but otherwise had a fairly calm day. Reid is still alternating between the nasal cannula and CPAP mask but is handling it well. Sally had a good two week followup with her OB doctor and is recovering well from her surgery. I was able to hold my little girl for the first time today. Even though her little hand can only wrap around one of my fingers, I think she already knows she has me in the palm of her hand. Thanks again to everyone for their prayers, support and encouragement.
- Chris and Sally Thomas 10-19-2004

Chris Holding Virginia (1st time) 

Sharing a Bed 

NICU Day 13 Update

Reid and Virginia did well yesterday. Reid is being alternated between CPAP (a mask that helps push oxygen into his lungs) and plain-old nasal oxygen without pressure. Virginia has not been requiring CPAP now for about 4 days. Both are not back to birth weight, yet, but they are receiving enteral (via stomach) feeds along with parenteral (intravenous) nutrition. We are praying for them to continue to improve and to avoid infection in the NICU. They will have eye and ear tests down the road, along with repeat brain ultrasounds in a few weeks. We appreciate everyone's continued prayers and support. Following is a passage that I read to my wife during the end of our 3 1/2 years of infertility treatments -

"Looking back you will see that every step was planned. Leave all to Me. Each stone in the mosaic fits into the perfect pattern, designed by the Master Artist. It is all so wonderful. But the colors are of heaven's hues, so that your eyes could not bear to gaze on the whole until you are beyond the veil. So, stone by stone, you see and trust the pattern to the Designer."

- Chris and Sally Thomas

The Thomas Twins

Welcome to our website inspired by the many prayers from our friends, family and by others we have yet to met. Most of all, this is a tribute to our premie twins, Reid and Virginia, born on October 5, 2004. They are our gift on loan from God and we can't wait to bring them home from the NICU. We will update this site as often as we can over the following weeks as our twins continue their journey.
- Chris and Sally Thomas

10/14/04 - Holding Reid 

10/14/04 - Holding Virginia