A Premature Birthday Celebration
Say hello to the Thomas Twins. Pictured up top is Summer Joy Thomas and below, Weston Michael Thomas. We are so grateful for these two and for their (somewhat) smooth arrival into the world. The events leading up to their arrival however, have been less than smooth and at times, downright crazy. It's been a very stressful couple of weeks away from home but early Wednesday morning, the twins decided that it was time to enter the world and that was that.
Having spent a little over a week figuring how to do life in limbo and wondering if the kids were going to be born while I was away, I was anxious to settle into a routine while still being closeby and actually get some work done. I devised a schedule including hospital visits and to do lists and began working last Monday morning. That routine continued for Tuesday as well. But early Wednesday morning, I received a phone call and a text that changed my routine and also, my life.
The twins came quick. Weston was born first at about 9:30 Wednesday morning and weighed 4lbs, 4oz. Summer came approximately 45 minutes later, weighing in at 3lbs, 14oz. (she took her sweet time). Considering the kiddos were only 32 weeks along, they were born at a fairly good size. And while they are not on any oxygen at all, they have had a few bouts with apnea as their breathing skills continue to develop. They will be in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in their Fort Smith hospital for some time and that's where we'll be as well. Even though the past few weeks have been at times, unbearably crazy, there is a greater story being written in our lives as a family and we are beyond overjoyed to be face to face with the Thomas Twins.
It was without a doubt, one of the most emotional days of my life. When I wasn't crying or staring in awestruck wonder at the two of them, I managed to capture some images. The doctors and nurses allowed me to photograph what I wished. For me, it was more of a coping mechanism to deal with the whole process and the stress from the previous weeks. I think much of my approach to photographing these two will be about simply documenting their journey through this life. I guess this blog post is the start.
Every time I post about our life lately, I have to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for the love and support you've shown our family. We are forever grateful and our twins will grow up hearing the story of their premature birth, the worry and the craziness that ensued but most importantly, how SO MANY people showed up to walk that road with us.
Love you all.
- P&K+2
