Isaac and Arthur Cataldo (Submitted photos) [Click to enlarge]

Isaac was little more than a month old when he died at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

"It was very hard," said his mother, Irene. "We feel it was God's decision -- God gave us two miracles, two little boys. One of them wasn't meant to be with us...

"In a way, it made it easier, too," she added. "It was so hard, but having Arthur be with us has made it easier."

Friends and family have also made it easier for the grieving parents, who still face the health concerns of the surviving twin, not to mention the financial burden of their premature birth and extended hospital stay.

Carrie Shelton and Wartrace Baptist Church are organizing a fundraiser for the family to help defray the medical bills.

The benefit, which includes catering by Whitt's Barbecue and a live auction, will be May 2, 6 p.m. at Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center. The original date, May 9, had to be changed when the organizers realized a horse show had been scheduled the same weekend. Despite having to print new fliers and tickets, Shelton said the benefit is growing quickly.

"We've already gotten lots of donations," said Shelton. "A 42-inch flat screen TV, a children's dirt bike, all kinds of flower arrangements ..."

Other items, which will be auctioned by Bicknell and Parker Realty & Auction, include dinners, packages from the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and from Dollywood, hair care products, oil changes, handmade quilts and afghans, office supply packs from Sanford and gift certificates.

"A little bit of everything," said Shelton. "Everyone has been calling, wanting to help."

When the Cataldos found out they were expecting, they were excited. Having been married about eight years, they were ready for their family to grow -- but they didn't know then just how much it was going to grow.

"We didn't find out until the ultrasound," said Irene. "I went to find out if we were having a little boy or a little girl, and they said twin boys! We were so surprised, but it was a good surprise."

The pregnancy progressed well, she said, so much so that she planned to use a midwife for the delivery. But on Feb. 15, three months before her due date, those plans changed.

"I started cramping, so we went to my midwife in Fayetteville," said Irene. "She told us we needed to go to the hospital."

The baby boys, both weighing only 2 pounds, 10 ounces, were born after an emergency C-section at Lincoln County Hospital, then taken to Vanderbilt.

"It was about a week before we got to hold them," said Irene. Placed in the neonatal units, the boys were there for their parents to visit, but not cuddle, not at first. The Cataldos have spent every moment they can at Vanderbilt to be with them.

"That's one of the hard parts," said Irene. "I used to say, 'I'm going to see the boys.' Now, it's 'the boy.' It's so hard."

While the parents grieve the loss of Isaac, they also celebrate the survival of Arthur. He has doubled his birth weight and could be coming home by the end of the month.

"We hope he's home by the fundraiser," said Shelton. "But he can't drink from a bottle yet. He's been on a feeding tube so long, he doesn't have a suck reflex anymore."

Arthur was recently moved to a different room, one in which his mother can also stay, instead of making the long drive to Nashville daily. Soon, she hopes, she won't be making that drive at all.

"They've moved him to Pod A -- It's where they put the babies who are getting ready to go home," said Irene.

She knows she and Ben could face health issues in Arthur's future -- vision impairment, cerebral palsy and other disabilities are often associated with premature births. But Irene Cataldo has faith in her son.

"There could be some developmental issues, but I don't think they're going to be a problem. Arthur is going to be a normal little boy."

Irene and Ben have requested prayers for their sons, both Isaac and Arthur, and encourage everyone to come to the benefit on May 2. Their medical bills will be high, but they will receive some federal assistance because of the boys' low birth weight, and they do have insurance. Any money above what they owe on medical bills, Irene wants to donate directly to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

"They have been so kind to us -- we want to give back."

For more information about the benefit, contact Connie Shelton at 389-6715 or Emily Fuss at 205-7639.