Winlock firefighter juggling work, time with premature twins

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Ashley Estep holds newborn Jackson Andrew Jacobson for the first time on Saturday. / Courtesy photo

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

Winlock-area Firefighter-EMT Patrick Jacobson finally got to hold one of his new twin babies over the weekend, three weeks after they were born but about three months before they were expected to arrive.

Jacobson, 22, and his fiance Ashley Estep, 23, became parents of twin boys the morning of June 12, long ahead of their expected due date of September 28.

The premature infants will stay at Tacoma General Hospital at least until the end of September.

Estep was only 24 and a half weeks along when they were delivered by emergency C-section, Jacobson said.

Until Saturday, the couple was welcome to touch the tiny babies, but weren’t able to hold them, Jacobson said.

Jackson Andrew Jacobson was born just 12 and one-quarter inches long and weighed one-pound seven ounces.

Kameron Kent Jacobson was exactly 12 inches long and weighed in at one-pound eight-ounces, Jacobson said.

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Patrick Jacobson holds Kameron Kent Jacobson for the first time later on Saturday. / Courtesy photo

They’re doing okay, but the doctors say neither one is out of the woods yet, according to Jacobson.

“If they’re not having a good day, they’re having a good moment,” he said describing the way the nurses talk about it.

The biggest issue is their lungs are not yet mature and the babies are both on ventilators, he said.

By Thursday, each gained about six ounces: “They’re slowly growing, but they’re growing,” he said.

Jacobson, named last year’s firefighter of the year by the American Legion Post 101 in Winlock, is making the more than hour long drive after his shift each night to be with them and their mother.

He works full time with Lewis County Fire District 15.

Estep, who works at Wal-Mart in Chehalis, is staying at an apartment especially for families that live far away and have children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

A friend of the couple has set up a donation account at Anchor Bank in Wal-Mart, to assist them financially; Jacobson with extra fuel expenses and because Estep isn’t working.

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Jackson Andrew Jacobson photographed in the first two or three days after his June 12 birth, at just 12 and one-quarter inches long and weighing one-pound seven ounces. / Courtesy photo

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Kameron Kent Jacobson was 12 inches long and weighed one-pound eight-ounces when he was born on June 12. / Courtesy photo

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5 Responses to “Winlock firefighter juggling work, time with premature twins”

  1. Bonnie says:

    So glad your babies are doing well and seem to be gaining stregnth & weight! Proud of you both!!

  2. Vikki says:

    Patrick & Ashley-you have a great family there! So glad your boys are doing so well!

  3. Janet says:

    Can you guys keep us posted on the progress of the twins? Oh boy are you gonna have a handful when they get home! Double delight! How precious!

  4. Amy says:

    Way to go Ashley!! Your doing such a great job taking care of my nephews! Kudos to Ashley!!! Love you Jackson & Kameron!! Cant wait for you two, to come home!!! <3 Big kisses!!!

  5. Repete says:

    They do not look like firefighters yet Patrick but before you know it they will be taller than you. Eighteen years from now I know what they will be asking you to let them do.