Our babies heard about all of you wonderful people that loved them so much and prayed for them even more that they just couldn’t wait any longer to meet you. Alexander John Panas and Andrew Carl Panas were born just before midnight on Wednesday, November 29th - 15 weeks early. Alex weighed 830 grams and Andrew weighed 780 grams.
Alex struggled at first but the NICU team were able to bring life to this little fighter. Andrew had an easier time. Both are doing well at the moment – the official status is “Critical but Stable”. They both are breathing normal room air and are already taking some breaths on their own. Alex is on antibiotics as his white blood count was a bit high possibly due to the infection that caused them to be delivered. They have already had ultrasounds on their heads, x-rays, and spinal taps to check for various complications associated with such pre-maturity. So far the tests have come out ok.
How did this all happen? Laurina was not feeling so well as the day went on. Twin A was moving more than ever. Laurina’s temperature started to rise and the heart rates of both babies started to climb. It became clear that the babies would have to be delivered immediately for the health of Laurina and to give them their best chance at surviving. Laurina had a C-Section with me by her side. She was so strong. I saw our babies born and taken immediately to individual teams from the NICU who worked feverishly to give them their first breath and a chance at life. I was filled with great relief when I could see Alexander moving. I was asked to come be with Andrew and he was also responding well. I held out my finger and he grabbed it tight with his whole hand – hardly big enough to go 1/3 the way around my pinky. I cut the cord, they lowered the glass and I got to push him in his little glass incubator quickly through the hospital to his new home in the NICU as the nurses kept the air flowing. Alexander followed with his own team. I returned to Laurina to tell her she was a mommy and showed her the pictures that the nurses took (which I’ve attached). She was so proud of her babies. Laurina is doing ok although still under a bit of pain and finding it quite difficult to sit up as she hadn’t done so in almost 5 weeks. Soon she will be able to see the babies she fought so hard to bring into this world.
Thanks to your prayers and the sheer will of a most determined Laurina, these babies have a chance at life and that’s all we ever asked for. We’re very proud parents of our little miracles. We know that they have such a long way to go and a difficult road ahead of them. It’s now up to God and the wonderful people in the NICU. Each prayer matters more now than ever.
(This post was updated to be the exact date and time our boys made their entry into this world).
