Andrew and Patrick were born to Nelly and Michael Divricean in May 2009.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
Shortly after his birth, Patrick had a section of his intestines temporarily diverted into a colostomy bag.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
Patrick, right, curls up with brother Andrew on Patrick's first day home from the hospital in July 2009.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
Andrew, right, gives his 3-month-old brother Patrick a kiss.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
Nelly and Michael dressed their twins up as pumpkins for Halloween in 2009.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
In late 2009, doctors placed a magnet on either side of Patrick's intestinal blockage. Though the procedure was experimental, Dr. Eric Scaife was successful at removing the membrane without extensive surgery.
Dr. Eric Scaife/Primary Children's Medical Center
Smiling through the struggle —
Scaife shows off the piece of membrane that was still sandwiched between the two magnets when he removed them.
Dr. Eric Scaife/Primary Children's Medical Center.
Smiling through the struggle —
Patrick relaxes after his surgery in December 2009.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
Fully recovered, Patrick, right, and Andrew get ready to go swimming in April 2010.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
Andrew, left, and Patrick show off their tough guy status at 18 months.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
Patrick enjoys some fresh snow in February.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
Patrick, left, and Andrew turned 3 years old in May.
Courtesy Divricean Family
Smiling through the struggle —
The Divricean family poses for a photo in July. From left, Andrew, Michael, Patrick and Nelly.
