The Smith Family
My blogs
Blogs I follow
- A Little Monkey Business
- Capturing the Miracles in Everyday Life
- Crazy For Cody
- Experimental Me
- Love.Laugh.Cry.Hug.Pray.Rejoice!
- Our Family of Five
- The Kamps Triplets
- Thomas Marshall Does It All
- Three Little Saints
| Location | Ankeny, IA, United States |
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| Introduction | In May 2007, we became parents of identical twin boys, Hayden and Nicholas, who were born at 24 weeks gestation--16 weeks before their due date. Hayden weighed 20oz. and Nicholas weighed 22 oz. Both were 11.5 inches long. Nicholas had a NICU stay of 90 days with only 1 surgery. Hayden made 5 trips to the operating room in his 123 day stay. Since then, Nicholas has had 1 more surgery and Hayden has had 10 more. Other than being legally blind, due to retinopathy of prematurity, Nicholas is just like other kids his age. Hayden's road has been much tougher. His main diagnoses include: TEF/EA, cerebral palsy (spastic quadriplegia), hydrocephalus, and epilepsy (focal seizures and infantile spasms). All resulted from grades 3 and 4 intraventricular hemmorages (brain bleeds). Like Nicholas, Hayden also has retinopathy of prematurity (ROP); however, Hayden's vision was unable to be saved. These boys are such miracles and have brought more joy and love to our lives than we could have ever imagined. We have been so very blessed! |