Everyone is home - safe and sound.

Well, after 80 days in the NICU, everyone has made it home. Reid came home on Wednesday which was wonderful. Everyone at home is tired but very happy. We have our double blessing at home and are looking forward to the holidays together. Thanks to everyone for their support through the last 2+ months. In particular, we would like to thank our Church, family, and the amazing NICU staff for getting our babies home healthy.
- Chris, Sally, Reid and Virginia

Our future babysitter (Kathryn Kennedy). 

The whole fam at home. 

Virginia is home!

We had a big week at the Thomas'. Virginia came home on Thursday and has been doing well so far. Reid is still up at the hospital but is doing well and may get to come home soon. Virginia is keeping us busy at night but is already on a reasonable schedule thanks to the wonderful NICU staff at Forsyth Hospital. They have Reid trained to be on a slightly different feeding schedule so things shouldn't be too crazy when they're both at home. We feel so blessed to have even one baby home for Christmas, and look forward to having some family time over the holidays. Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers. We are amazed on a daily basis by the kindness of others, including some people we may have only met in passing.
- Chris and Sally Thomas

Virginia at home in her crib. 

Chris and Virginia at home on the couch. 

The whole family together. 

Reid and Virginia in crib together. 

NICU Day 70

What a roller coaster the past few days have been! On Monday, we were told that Virginia could come home on Tuesday! Chris was to have been on call Tuesday and thankfully was able to change it to Monday. After a mad dash to get everything in order (thanks to great friends who helped out!) we seemed ready to welcome our little girl home. We got to the hospital yesterday afternoon to take her home and Virginia had dropped her heart rate during a feeding. The doctors decided they did not feel comfortable with her leaving. They wanted to make sure there was nothing else going on besides an abnormal feeding. We wanted her home, but do not want to push anything. We have come too far for that. This morning the doctors were pleased with how she has been "behaving" and said we could take her home tomorrow morning! SO.....our little baby girl is coming home with us tomorrow! She is five pounds and doing so well. It will be very hard to leave Reid, but he is progressing well and hopefully will be home within the next couple of weeks. Chris' grandmother and aunt arrived from Columbus today. We are grateful for their visit and extra hands to help out! My mom will arrive next week after Aunt Susan leaves. Please pray for us as Virginia comes home and we adjust to life with our baby at home. Also, for the timing to work out to see Reid as much as possible too. It will be hard, but we are thrilled that this long road in the NICU is coming to an end. We can't thank each of you enough for ALL the love and support you have given to us. We will keep you posted on the adventures at the Thomas house!

Sally

Virginia gets ready to come home 

Griswold Family Tree

We picked up a Christmas tree today and threw it up on the minivan. What a sight. Both babies are well today. We visited and gave them bottles. Virginia is having less reflux. She is almost 5 lbs now! Reid is about a pound behind but catching up. We are having some family come up this week and are looking forward to that. We will update the site again soon.
Love Chris and Sally

Chris' impersonation of Clark W. Griswold. (note tree on top of car) 

Dec 8, 2004

Reid and Virginia are both feeding intermittently from the breast which is going well. They are both getting bottle feeds as well. Reid continues to have his feeding tube in for supplemental feeds as needed. Mom is a little under the weather with mastitis unfortunately, but called the doctor quickly and is already on antibiotics and applying warm compresses to help open up the lactation ducts. The Thomas family got a minivan yesterday in the form of a used Honda Odyssey which seems to have plenty of room for the twins and parents for future trips. The "peanut" (Chris' old Sentra) is no more but I'm not too upset about that loss. Everything at home is well - the nursery is finished and waiting for its occupants. ?When will they come home? I have no idea - their due date is around Jan 3rd, so hopefully before then.
- Chris Thomas

We're 2 Months Old!

Reid and Virginia are 2 months old today. Reid is taking from the bottle very well. Virginia tends to do better on the breast but is learning how to bottle feed a little better each day. Both passed their eye exams again last week. They are side by side in the intermediate care unit, which is much nicer for the whole family. I think overall they are both doing very well and we are thankful for their continued progress. Sally had a make up baby shower today in Winston as she missed her earlier baby showers with bed rest/C-section. She had a wonderful time and was surrounded by her closest friends here in Winston. She is blessed to have such a wonderful support network in her friends here. We appreciate everyone's prayers and support and hope all a peaceful and safe holiday season spent with friends and family.
- Chris Thomas

Reid in his tumbler 

Chris feeding Reid (Virginia in background) 

NICU Day 58

The past few days have been very exciting for the Thomas twins. Virginia is feeling better and we are relieved. Reid has been moved to the step down intermediate unit! He was ready this time. Not only did he move, but he also graduated from an incubator to a crib. He has maintained his body temperature on his own for several days and was able to move into a crib this past Tuesday. Today (Thursday), Reid took his first bottle. He did a super job. The nurses had watched how well he sucked on his pacifier and decided it was time to try a bottle. Reid will alternate with tube feedings and one bottle feeding each day. Depending on how well he progresses with nipple feedings, then we will attempt breastfeeding next week. Below is a picture of Virginia. Notice that there are NO tubes in her face. Today, we saw our daughter for the first time in two months with no tubes, patches, etc. on her face. We always knew she was beautiful, but to see her perfect face today was priceless. We praise God for his continued blessings.

Chris and Sally

Reid in intermediate unit. 

Pretty face with no tubes.