Here it is...their story.
In June 2004, we found out we were pregnant. Unexpected and unplanned, but we were excited as well. In July 2004, we found out we were expecting identical twins. To say we were surprised is an understatement-we were shocked, overwhelmed and more than just a little excited. The fear came later. At this time, it appeared that they were in the same sack, monoamniotic, which has a very high mortality rate. In September 2004, we had a second ultrasound in which we found out they were in separate sacks, and shared a placenta. And they were boys. I was so relieved. I naively thought we were out of the danger zone. In October, I started getting more uncomfortable, walking became more labored, sleep was nearly impossible to get. I thought it was normal twin pregnancy stuff-not having ever been pregnant with twins before. My goal was to make it to 32 weeks, which would have been December 18. By the end of October, I was miserable. I looked 9 months pregnant and I was only 25 weeks, my stomach was so tight it hurt to even shower or dress. My back and stomach hurt no matter what position I tried to sit or lay down in. My hips and legs often went numb from the weight of the pregnancy. On November 2, 2004, I spent 9 hours in labor and delivery observation for what I now know was the beginnings of labor. I was sent home, only to return the next morning when my water broke. I spent the night in the hospital, had a biophysical profile ultrasound that indicated both babies were fine, and my first and only consult with a high risk doctor. The next morning (November 4, 2004), my second sack of water broke, and flooded the room. I was then prepped and taken to emergency c-section. Kyle Gregory was delivered first at 628am, (weighing 1 lb 3 oz and 12 inches long) and was not breathing. Kraig Stewart was next at 632am and weighing just 1 pound 13 ounces and 12.5 inches long. He was taken immediately to the NICU where he spent the next 11 weeks-the longest 11 weeks of my life. Kyle was crushed when my water broke. I found out much later that Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome was suspected which accounts for the 15 pounds of water that filled the room.
Kraig spent 79 days in the NICU and overcame many obstacles and endured many procedures common for premature infants--daily blood tests, numerous x-rays, infections treated with IV antibiotics, central line IVs, blood transfusions, apnea/bradycardia spells, oxygen administration, and several resuscitation efforts. We visited every day, often more than once a day and called every couple of hours. The NICU nurses came to know me as Kraig's mom...and still call me that. He came home in January 2005 on oxygen, underwent laser eye surgery at 12 weeks of age (the week after he came home) for retinopathy of prematurity, and continues to be monitored bi-annually by a pediatric ophthalmologist and annually by a retina specialist. He has a partially detached retina as a result of the ROP, and has what looks like and is treated like lazy eye. There have been some muscle changes noticed, which may require more surgery on his eye. He now wears glasses for nearsightedness, also a result of the ROP. He had a bout of RSV in April 2005, but only spent one night in the hospital. He was completely weaned from the oxygen in August 2005. He is still very very susceptible to respiratory infections, however. He began receiving physical therapy in May 2005, occupational therapy in December 2005, and speech therapy in May 2006. All have been discontinued due to his 3rd birthday when he aged out of the early intervention system. He now attends special needs preschool held at the local elementary school, where he receives his therapies. He is actually only on consult, which means he does not receive direct therapy services-but they continue to monitor him. For a time, we suspected he has some sensory integration issues (SID) and even had him tested for obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD)-he was actually diagnosed with pervasive development disorder, which accounts for some of the sensory issues and his stubborn resistance to change and needing order--we affectionately call him Ocie. He is now 5-he loves to sing, he loves his tv shows (Sprout TV, Noggin, and PBS), he loves to be outside. He even plays in the sand, which is not something I ever thought I would see He likes to play any kind of ball...especially bask-e-ball and fit-ball and sucker. And he loves animals...we often watch the animal planet as well.
He is a true blessing to our family and spoiled to the core-but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Pictures from the birthday activities to come later....
