Kids & Family
Premature Twins Born on Different Days Go Home From Hospital
One of the boys is a leap day baby, born on Feb 29.
BERKELEY, CA - Twins born prematurely on Feb. 28 and Feb. 29 went home today from Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley.
Miles and Walter Erickson went home with parents Summer and Ryan Erickson at about 2 p.m. from the hospital at 2450 Ashby Avenue in a two-seat stroller after a two months in the newborn intensive care unit.
The twins were 68 days and 12 hours old when they left the NICU.
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The Ericksons also have a four and a half year old boy named Bruce.
Summer and Ryan were set to stroll the boys home since they live only about five blocks away.
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"I am very admittedly full of lots of emotion," Summer said.
The boys were born at 26 weeks and are still two weeks premature, but they are doing well enough to be cared for at home.
Miles was born at 11:58 p.m. Feb. 28 at two pounds, 2.6 ounces. He is now five pounds and 13.1 ounces.
Walter was born nine minutes later at 12:09 a.m. Feb. 29 at two pounds 4.7 ounces.
He is now five pounds and 4.3 ounces.
"I think that you have a very successful outcome," NICU Medical Director Alex Espinoza said. "I think this is a testament to modern neonatal care."
"They saved all of us," Summer said, while adding that the boys fought for their lives like warriors.
Espinoza said the boys received respiratory care, hydration, nutrition and temperature control, while the parents received emotional and social support.
"I just feel so much gratitude today," Summer said as she stifled back tears. "I don't think there are words to explain how grateful we feel."
Whether by fate or other otherwise, National Nurses Week starts today and Mother's Day is Sunday.
Summer said going home today is either ironic, perfect or both since the family received such good nursing care at the hospital.
Summer and Ryan said the thing they are looking forward to the most is being together.
"I can't wait to snuggle together," Summer said.
Ryan said he doesn't think either of them will ever be tired of hearing the boys cry. Technically, Walter's birthday is every fours years, but Summer said Miles has already agreed to share his birthday with his brother.
"We'll definitely have a big blowout in four years," Ryan said.
--Bay City News; Photo by Renee Schiavone, Patch