Ailee and Rachel

Ailee and Rachel were born at 23 weeks gestation weighing 1 pound 3 ounces and 1 pound, respectively. They developed severe respiratory distress and had a complicated course including high frequency ventilation, surgery for patent ductus arteriosus, and seven weeks of mechanical ventilation. They also each had Grade II Intraventricular Hemmorrhages (bleeding into their brains). Later on they both developed retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment with laser therapy. They spent 113 days in the hospital.

You can see now that they are now playful, happy four year olds with active imaginations.  They love animals, reading books, swiming and playing in the water, singing (and making up) songs and going to school.  They are also best friends!