NICU Day 55

Reid and Virginia did fairly well today. Virginia is over 4 lbs and Reid is just over 3 lbs. Virginia had some loose stools today so our main request is prayers that she remain healthy and not develop an infection. It may just be related to something in her milk, but she'll be monitored more closely for the next couple of days. Thank you to everyone for continued prayers, support and love.
Love Chris and Sally

Virginia dried off. 

Virginia out of the bathtub. 

Reid after his bath. 

Happy Thanksgiving 2004

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Our beautiful babies are doing well and Sally has recovered well from the delivery. Fellowship for Chris has gone well, and work has been exceptionally supportive with giving him time off when needed. We have been blanketed with love and prayers from close friends and even from people we've never actually met. We want to thank everyone who has been praying for us. We are having a wonderful time with Reid and Virginia this holiday, and look forward to many more holidays to come.

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1 :6 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Love, Sally and Chris

Reid and Virginia snuggle on Chris' lap. 

Pa with Reid. 

Sissy feeding Virginia. 

NICU Day 47

Below are a couple of new pictures. Virginia is now at 3 lbs 10 ounces and Reid is around 2 lbs 11 ounces. Virginia continues to do well in the intermediate care unit. Reid is still playing catch-up, but is doing well. He is being tried on continuous nasal cannula now and seems to like it. We enjoyed having our friend Kelsey here for the weekend. She helped get the nursery arranged. She wanted to put our second crib together, but Chris fell asleep. I guess I know what Chris gets to do over Thanksgiving. Thank you to everyone for their support and prayers. We are truly blessed and are looking forward to the Holidays with our babies, wherever they may be residing. Please pray for Chris and me to stay healthy over the next few weeks so that we can continue to see the babies on a daily basis.
- Sally Thomas

Virginia in her crib 11-21-04 

Mommy holding Reid 11-21-04 

NICU Day 44

Virginia is 3 lbs 9 ounces and Reid is 2 lbs 9 ounces today. The doctors are trying to introduce Virginia to the bottle and breastfeeding. We only try once a day as this is a major event for her. I am thrilled to report that she has latched onto my breast for two days now! It is the most amazing feeling to have her breastfeed. I am so proud of her. She will continue to receive the majority of her daily feedings through her feeding tube that goes through her nose. Reid is doing well. He is still alternating from CPAP and nasal canula. He is improving and getting stronger. Both babies had their eyes checked again and still great news of no damage. They will be checked again before they come home. Please continue to pray for their development and no infection. We are covered in prayer and truly feel the effect of it. Thank you so much to everyone for their outpour of support, encouragement and prayers. We pray that God will touch each of your lives as we enter into the Thanksgiving season.
-Sally Thomas

Monday, November 15, 2004

The Twins have had an eventful last few days. Virginia was moved to Intermediate Care ("step-down") Unit last Thursday and is doing well. She is on nasal cannula and gets intermittent bolus feeds through her feeding tube. She has graduated to a "crib" (a bassinet). This is because she has kept her body temperature regulated for a long period of time. Reid was moved briefly to Intermediate Care but had to go back to the NICU because of desaturations (low oxygen levels) on the nasal cannula. He has been on CPAP (oxygen "mask" which gives some pressure) since returning to the NICU and seems to be improving. Both are gaining weight appropriately. Reid weighs 2 lbs 6 ounces and Virginia 3 pounds 6 ounces. Overall, they are both doing well and we are so thankful for their improvement and for everyone's prayers and support.
- Chris and Sally Thomas

NICU Day# 36

The twins are doing great today! Both Sally and I held them for a while this evening. Sally kangarooed them both last night for a while. Virginia now weighs about 3 lbs 2 ounces and little man Reid weighs about 2 lbs 3 ounces. Virginia is doing well on just nasal oxygen and Reid is only needing CPAP about 4 hours a day. If they continue to do well, they will get to move to the "step down unit" soon for feeding and growing only! Please continue to pray for their progress and to avoid infection during the colder months we are entering.
- Chris and Sally Thomas

Virginia with a pacifier. 

Virginia snuggles with Reid in Mom's arms. :) 

Virginia sleeping in the tub. 

Sal kangaroos Reid and Virginia for the first time together! :) 

HAPPY ONE MONTH BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to Reid and Virginia! One month ago today they were born. We feel so blessed that they are doing well and have overcome major hurdles during the past month. Another wonderful praise for today is that Reid officially weighs 2 lbs! Virginia weighed 2 lbs 12 ounces today. No other major changes to report. We continue to enjoy our time each day to hold Reid and Virginia close. We tell them how many love and pray for them daily. Keep praying diligently that their lungs will grow stronger and stronger and no infection will harm them. We thank each and every one of you for your prayers, support, letters, emails, phone calls, food and company. It means so much to Chris and me. God bless.
Sally

NICU Day 30

Great day for the Thomas twins! Their eye procedure showed there is no Retinopathy. This is a huge praise. Most preemies are affected at some level with this problem. The opthamologist commented that their eyes "were old baby eyes, like those of a 34 week old baby". Chris and I were able to breathe a great sigh of relief today. Thank you for all of the prayers. We are grateful to God for yet another miracle. Today, I was also given the gift to hold BOTH twins at once. There are pictures documenting this great moment, but you will have to wait until Friday for Chris to teach me how to scan them to the website. I also witnessed another of God's great miracles today. QUINTUPLATS (yes, that is 5!) were born today. One by one, each were wheeled into the NICU. At this time, they are stable and range in weight from 1 lb 5 oz to 2 lbs 5 oz. I had met the Mom at a Moms of Multiples meeting a couple of months ago. Please say a prayer for their 3 boys and 2 girls. Can you imagine?!
-Sally Thomas

NICU Day 29

Reid and Virginia are gaining weight! Virginia is now up to 2 lbs 10 oz and Reid is 1 lb 15 oz (almost 2 lbs!). The doctors are very pleased with their weight progress. Tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov 3) is a big day for the twins. Their eyes will be screened for possible damage due to their early delivery and small size. Please say a prayer that no major damage has been done and that we will be at peace while awaiting the results. Chris is adjusting to being back at work. He looks forward to the end of the day so he can see the babies. Tonight we both held Reid and read Dr. Seuss to him. I also was able to snuggle on Virginia a bit. We are so thankful to God for the blessings we receive each day from our miracles.
-Sally