First Posted: 3/27/2015
LIMA — Chris and Lonnie Patton have been looking forward to becoming first-time grandparents since they found out that both their daughters were expecting.
What they didn’t know, however, is that they would be blessed with three grandchildren within 12 hours.
The Pattons, formerly of Lima, moved to Wellston about six years ago to live in the country, daughter Amanda Compton said.
Compton, who stayed behind in Lima, gave birth to her daughter, Jayda Lynn at 12:22 a.m. Thursday at St. Rita’s Medical Center. After a 24-hour labor, she was thrilled with the new addition to her family. She said her husband is over the moon.
Some 12 hours later, Compton’s sister, Destinie Patton, gave birth to twin boys. At 12:25 p.m. and 12:26 p.m. Thursday, Destinie welcomed Ryder Jace and Kamarin Dean at a hospital in Gallipolis.
“In 12 hours, we have our first three grandbabies,” Chris Patton said.
Running on little sleep, Chris Patton and her husband made the three-hour drive to Lima when Compton went into labor naturally. After spending time with Compton, her husband and little Jayda, the Pattons went back to Gallipolis to be with Destinie Patton.
Destinie Patton was scheduled for a cesarean section.
“They are just so amazing,” Compton said of her parents. “They’ve been here for me no matter what and yet, they’re so far away.”
“Our oldest daughter was due March 28 and then Destinie’s due date was April 16,” Chris Patton said. “With twins, they always come around 37 weeks. We thought Amanda was going to hold off until her next doctor’s appointment, so we were thinking that she would have an April Fool’s [Day] baby.”
The amazement of the birth of their grandchildren hadn’t quite set in Thursday afternoon, Chris Patton said, noting the preoccupation of the long drive. However, she and her husband are thrilled.
“Christmas is going to be exciting,” she said. “We’re going to have the little ones running around.”
The whole family has seen each other since the births, Compton said. By teleconferencing, the family has been able to communicate during their exciting time.
