This is the adorable moment miracle premature twins held hands while they were being cuddled by their mum for the first time.
Amanda Thomas, 34, gave birth to Harper and Gunner ten weeks early, and couldn’t hold them until they were nearly month old due to their tiny size.
But when they were all finally reunited for a first cuddle, the adorable little ones reached out and grabbed hands.
Amanda, a primary special education teacher from New Jersey, US, said: “They were both such fighters.
“Seeing them both there with lots of wires was too much to handle.
“That moment when they held hands was the moment it hit me that I had twins.
“It was the first time I was able to hold them both at the same time.
“When they went to hold hands, I realised these two have such a special bond and even a month apart from each other didn’t make them forget that bond.
“I knew they would pull each other through.
“Harper especially went through a hard time and I am so grateful that they are both home and safe.
“Their little personalities are now shining through.
“Harper is so sassy and Gunner is laid back – they are perfect.”
Amanda and husband Shawn, 36, a public works director, struggled to conceive so tried IVF.
They were ecstatic when they found out they were expecting twins after the first £9k round.
“It was all we ever wanted,” Amanda said.
The pregnancy was going well until Amanda felt unwell at 27 weeks.
She was told by doctors at Monmouth Medical Centre, New Jersey, US, she had a high blood pressure and they needed to keep her in for observation.
“I was miserable, and I just wanted my babies to be ok,” she said.
At 30 weeks Amanda’s waters broke and she had to be taken for a c-section to deliver the babies on December 18 2019.
Harper weighed a tiny 2lbs 10oz, whilst Gunner was just 2lbs 11oz.
“I saw them for a second as they held them close to me but I hardly remember it as it was such a blur,” she said.
The babies were taken straight to then neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“When I saw them for the first time they were all hooked up on wires and machines,” Amanda said.
“It was terrifying, I just wanted them to survive.”
They were first reunited on January 12 and reached out to clutch each others hands as they were cradled by Amanda.
Gunner was able to come home on February 19 2020 – a day before their original due date.
Harper had a hole in her heart and needed surgery, and came home after 103 days in hospital, on March 30.
“It was such a relief and so nice to be a family of four for the first time,” Amanda said.
“Now just over a year on they are doing amazingly.
“They are a little delayed and have speech and physical therapy but they are incredible.
“They are our little miracles.”
