photos courtesy of family Ben - 25 days old

Joe - 25 days old

Here are my beautiful boys, Ben and Joe.   They have been the fortunate recipients of many gifts, for which we are all extremely grateful.   In the most recent pictures, the boys are wearing sleepers made by volunteers of Touching Little Lives. I was hospitalized at 19 weeks when I went into premature labor. The first triplet, Jacob, was born, and died.   The doctors told me our other two children had such a little chance of making it that we should induce labor.   Then, my regular O.B. returned from vacation and gave us another option.   He put in a cerclage, and for the next seven weeks, I stayed on strict bedrest in the hospital. Then, the big day came when they decided the babies would do better outside the womb than in.   The boys were born at 26 weeks and 5 days, and my husband and I were thrust into the NICU experience. The boys were 1 lb, and 1 lb 1 oz when they were born. They were so fragile that we couldn't touch them at all for weeks.   The only thing we could do was be there. During that time, both boys received isolette quilts.  It was the only "personal touch" for their space.   They also were placed in snugglies provided by a volunteer organization.   The soft flannel kept them warm and comfortable. As they grew, we received clothes from volunteers, too.   The love we felt from these complete strangers was so amazing.   We spent as much time as possible at the hospital.   We certainly didn't have time to shop - and even if we had, the boys were still much too small for any clothes sold in stores. When we went home, the boys brought their quilts and clothes with them.   It's nearly six months since they were born, and both boys are turning into chubby little cherubs. I'll never forget the outpouring of love and hope that we received from so many people during one of the hardest times in our lives.  I want each of you to know that what you do, even the smallest of gestures, makes such a difference.   All of those little thoughts, smiles, and gifts add up to a sea of well wishes for the little ones. - a thankful mom.

Ben and Joe - 5 months old in TLL sleepers

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