Walpole parents to spend holiday in NICU with twin newborns

WALPOLE, Mass. — While many families will celebrate Thanksgiving at home or with family, not all have that luxury. One Walpole family will celebrate at the hospital with their newborn babies, and they’re so grateful for the opportunity to do so.

New parents Christina and Brendan Sweeney have twice as much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

“These are our first kids, yeah, so it was quite a surprise we were having twins, but a blessing,” Christina Sweeney said.

Madelyn and Olivia were born in September, before full-term. They arrived about nine weeks early. Both weighed just shy of three pounds but are healthy. The girls have been in the neonatal intensive care unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital since they were born eight weeks ago.

The Sweeneys are two of about 50 babies that will spend Thanksgiving in the NICU. Dr. Carmina Erdei, the director of the Growth and Development Unit, said being able to spend a holiday with families is incredibly special and meaningful.

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“It is a time for celebration in the NICU. It is a time when families get together and focus on what brings us all together and get the love and support that they offer their babies,” she said.

Though their babies won’t be home and the Sweeney’s won’t have a traditional thanksgiving, mom and dad couldn’t be more grateful this year.

“Holidays are going to look a lot different for us and we’re thrilled. We can’t wait to bring them home; and Christmas is coming up, so we’re very happy. We’re very thankful that we have these two girls in our lives,” Brendan Sweeney said.

The Sweeneys said they hope to have Madelyn and Olivia home in the next week or two.

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Cox Media Group