Kestutis and Lina Smilgiene of Orland Park balance their bundles of joy as they take home their last triplet, Lukas, on Wednesday from Edward Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in Naperville. Lukas needed the longest hospital stay of the three, remaining at Edward until 189 days after his birth, while his brother and sister, Simas and Viktorija, went home after 151 days.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Lukas Smilgiene's birthday was Aug. 27, 2015, but a date just as special to his parents and fellow triplets will be March 2, 2016.
On Wednesday afternoon, Lukas went home to Orland Park from the neonatal intensive care unit at Edward Hospital in Naperville, where he spent the first 189 days of his life.
Lukas, Simas and Viktorija Smilgiene were born 15 weeks premature, each weighing less than two pounds. The babies are the first children of mother Lina, 38, and father Kestutsis, 42, who watched over them while they remained in the care of a team of doctors and nurses at Edward.
Although Lukas was the heaviest at birth at 1 pound 12 ounces, his neonatal intensive care stay was the longest.
His brother and sister went home Jan. 24 after 151 days in hospital care.
With a card showing wide-eyed pictures of the smiling babies, the Smilgiene parents thanked neonatal intensive care staff members before leaving together as a family.
"You are in our heart and we appreciate your hard work," the note said.
Lukas Smilgiene, who was born 15 weeks premature as a triplet, prepares to head home to Orland Park for the first time Wednesday as he graduates from the neonatal intensive care unit at Edward Hospital in Naperville.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Lina Smilgiene of Orland Park clutches Lukas, the last of her three triplets to go home from Edward Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in Naperville. Lukas was the largest of triplets born Aug. 27 at 15 weeks premature, but needed a longer hospital stay than his brother, Simas, or sister, Viktorija.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Lina and Kestutsis Smilgiene of Orland Park gather their triplets Lukas, Simas and Viktorija on Wednesday as Lukas leaves the neonatal intensive care unit at Edward Hospital for the first time.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Kestutis and Lina Smilgiene of Orland Park give thanks as they bring home Lukas, the last of their triplets born Aug. 27, 2015, who had to remain in the neonatal intensive care unit until Wednesday, 189 days after his birth.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com