LDL. The Blythe Twins Turn One: Zoey and Baylor’s Journey From 26 Weeks to Home and Thriving

If you ever need proof that hope can hold on through the hardest days, look no further than Zoey and Baylor Blythe of Oneonta, Alabama.

In this heartfelt update, the Blythe twins—born last December at just 26 weeks and weighing around two pounds each—have officially reached a milestone many people once feared might be out of reach.

Yesterday, Zoey and Baylor turned one year old.

And even better: after spending much of their first year in and out of the hospital, both girls are finally home, growing stronger, and showing signs that their best days may still be ahead.

Born too soon, but born fighters

Premature birth at 26 weeks comes with a storm of uncertainty. At that stage, tiny bodies are still developing the most basic systems needed to survive outside the womb. For parents, the earliest days often feel like living minute-to-minute, waiting for the next update, the next test, the next hurdle.

From the beginning, the Blythe twins faced their own unique battles:

• Zoey required a shunt placed in her brain.
• Baylor struggled with digestive issues, a challenge that can become serious quickly for premature infants.

But through months of care, monitoring, and countless prayers, the girls kept pushing forward—one small victory at a time.

A birthday worth celebrating

After following their journey for a full year, supporters are celebrating a turning point that feels almost unreal: the twins are home and thriving.

Their mom, Alyson Blythe, shared an update that carried the kind of joy you can feel through the screen—relief, pride, gratitude, and the quiet amazement that comes when a child survives what once seemed impossible.

“Both girls are doing great!” Alyson shared.

Those five words are the kind of sentence families in the NICU dream about.

Zoey: “Defying all odds”

Alyson shared that Zoey has been out of the hospital for two months now, and she described her daughter as truly “defying all odds.”

Zoey was scheduled for an MRI on her orbits tomorrow, but like many little ones who have spent so much time in medical settings, her health can still be fragile.

“She woke up sick today so we unfortunately had to cancel,” Alyson said.

It’s a reminder that even when progress is huge, the journey is still real. Parents of medically complex children know that “home” doesn’t mean “easy.” It means a new stage—filled with appointments, unexpected setbacks, and careful watchfulness.

Alyson also shared that Zoey has been diagnosed with Cortical Vision Impairment. While the diagnosis comes with challenges, the update still carried hope—because Zoey is growing, strengthening, and continuing to move forward.

And her growth is undeniable: Zoey now weighs 15 lbs 14 oz.

For a child who entered the world at around two pounds, that number represents far more than weight—it represents time, resilience, and survival.

Baylor: thriving, learning, and loving baby food

Alyson shared equally exciting news about Baylor, calling her “a little chunk” with the kind of laugh you can practically hear.

“Baylor is doing amazing,” she said. “Still learning how to sit up and loving some baby food!”

Those simple milestones—sitting up, tasting food, getting stronger by the week—are the everyday moments most parents take for granted. But for families like the Blythes, each one is a victory.

Baylor now weighs 17 lbs 12 oz, and Alyson noted that Baylor is the bigger twin “on your left,” while Zoey is “the smaller with a slight grin on your right.”

It’s one of those details that makes this story feel so personal—like you’re right there with them, watching these girls grow into themselves.

From hospital halls to home life

For most families, the first year of life is filled with first smiles, first giggles, first Christmas pictures, and late-night feedings.

For the Blythe family, much of that first year included hospital rooms, medical equipment, and the kind of waiting that can crush the spirit—unless hope holds tight.

That’s why this update lands so deeply: because after spending most of their first year under intense medical care, Zoey and Baylor are now back home, and it appears they’re entering a season where they can finally flourish.

“This morning it looks as if Zoey and Baylor are ready to flourish,” the update read.

A moment to thank, and a moment to celebrate

This milestone isn’t just about the twins. It’s also about the community that has followed them, prayed for them, and rooted for them through the hardest stretches.

It’s about the nurses who watched over them, the doctors who took difficult calls, and the family that never stopped fighting for them—even when the odds looked brutal.

And it’s about a mother, Alyson, who has lived inside that storm for a year and can now share something priceless:

good news.

“Thanks to Alyson Blythe for the update!” the post noted—because updates like these are gifts. They remind everyone watching that progress is possible, and that miracles sometimes arrive in small, steady steps.

Happy 1st birthday, Zoey and Baylor!

Today is a day for celebration.

A day to say: Happy Birthday, Zoey and Baylor Blythe! 🎂💛
A day to cheer for two girls who began life in a fight—and are now stepping into a future filled with possibility.

If you’ve followed their story, leave them a birthday wish and a message of encouragement.

Because this is the kind of good news the world needs.

🎉 Happy 1st Birthday, Baylor and Zoey! 🎉