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Tiny Babies Make Move To Brand New Intensive Care Unit

DENVER (CBS4) - The tiniest babies made a big move on Wednesday as they were wheeled from Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center to the brand new intensive care unit at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.

Slowly and carefully about 60 babies were transported to the new state-of-the art unit. It has more square footage than a football field and boasts private rooms, high-tech incubators, and all the latest in-care for sick and premature infants. Parents made sure the move went smoothly.

The tiny Sherlock twins were born on July 5 only 4 minutes apart. Danica weighed 4 pounds, 12 ounces; and Natalia was just 4 pounds, 6 ounces. They were 5 weeks early because mom got sick.

"They are a miracle for sure," mother Shantelle Oney said.

The pair has been in neonatal intensive care ever since.

"They had a little bit of jaundice on the skin; they're a little early, so they want them to get their weight up," father Nathan Sherlock said.

The girls are working on it and their parents are grateful to the staff.

"I definitely feel that the hospital saved mine and my babies' life," Oney said.

But on Wednesday the kids moved out. They left their home of 5 days and traveled down and around the hospital halls. They had a posse of medical professionals and mom was close behind monitoring the precious cargo.

"It's like such a relief. I didn't think I'd be this nervous," Oney said.

The final destination was right next door -- the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children and its the brand new neonatal ICU.

"It has been a long time in coming, boy," said neonatologist Dr. Jeffrey Hansen.

It's been 21 years, according Hansen. He's thrilled with the spacious, 84-bed, state-of-the-art facility.

"I know this is going to really help us deliver the best care to these babies and their families," Hansen said.

The move was called "Baby Steps to a New Beginning." But it was also a family affair. The new NICU includes a Ronald McDonald House room and private space for families to gather while doctors care for the most fragile patients..

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