Our beautiful twin daughters, Chloe Hope and Isabelle Frances, were born premature on May 31, 2006, at just 26 weeks, weighing just over 1 pound each.
Josh and I held our breath in the delivery room as they performed an emergency c-section. We were thrilled when the NICU doctors in the delivery room told us both babies were breathing and doing well. Chloe and Isabelle remained stable and seemed to be thriving in the NICU.
Early in the morning of June 1, Chloe and Isabelle had pulmonary hemorrhages at the same exact time--a very twin thing to do--and went into critical condition. Doctors woke us to say our goodbyes to our babies.
Chloe, who was slightly smaller than Isabelle, and a bit weaker, could not take the stress on her body. She died in our arms on June 2, two days after her birth.
Isabelle fought for five weeks in the NICU. She was on a respirator, had many blood transfusions, infections, collapsed lungs, and swelling in her brain. Isabelle was so strong and tough but her body was pushed to its limit. She too died in our arms, on July 3, 2006.
In 2007, Josh and I were blessed with another little girl, Olivia Faith and in 2009 with a baby boy, Julian Ilias. Olivia and Julian are our little miracles and we tell them about their sisters all the time. Chloe & Isabelle will forever be their guardian angels.
We have been dedicated to supporting the March of Dimes for the past seven years. Our amazing friends and family were there for us during our time in the NICU and we hope you can continue to show your support. This is a very special cause. It is so important to us, and to countless other expectant parents, that all babies be born healthy.
We would be most appreciative for your donations and would also love for you to join our team, 'Team Levine,' on Sunday, April 28, as we walk for a cause that means so very much to us.
Thank you for all your support.
Love,
Paulina, Josh, Olivia & Julian
Learn more on our website & watch our video: www.goteamlevine.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoTeamLevine
The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.
