JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington - Twins Madeleine and Victoria decided to make a dramatic entrance when they came into this world. Not only did they arrive more than a week early, but they also became the first babies born at Madigan Army Medical Center in 2017.

"They had to make a big entrance," said mom Sgt. Cengly Compton, a medical logistics sergeant with 1st Special Forces Group. Madeleine (3 pounds, 13 ounces) came first at 5:44 a.m., and her sister Victoria (4 pounds, 9 ounces) arrived one minute later.

"I didn't even have my go-bag ready… I was definitely not prepared," said dad Staff Sgt. Albert Compton, who works in the logistics and transportation unit of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

He and Cengly spent New Year's Eve watching babies being born on old Grey's Anatomy episodes with no idea they would be encountering the real thing the next day. But when Cengly's water broke in the middle of the night, it was time to head to the hospital.

"She scared the heck out of me at 3 a.m.," said Albert. He tossed toothpaste and socks in a bag and drove Cengly across base to the Madigan emergency room.

A few hours later, the couple's youngest children (Albert has three older kids) were born via c-section. Both girls are now in Madigan's neonatal intensive care unit as they gain weight, stabilize their temperatures and learn to breathe steadily without any incidents. According to their dad, Madeleine "needed to be reminded how to breathe" while Victoria is making strides on that front; she went from using a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machine to using a less-intensive breathing device.

"They're doing really good … every day they've been improving," said Cengly.

"As soon as we go in (to the NICU), mom tells them not to act up so they can get better and come home," Albert said.

Mom and dad are allowed to hold the twins every three hours to visit and feed them; the girls are still too small and sensitive to be held more often, said Cengly.

The parents get their questions answered by the NICU nurses, who also teach them how to care for Madeleine and Victoria.

"All of the nurses have been so great … you can tell the love they show towards them," said Cengly.

The love in the Compton family itself shows through their banter about their newest additions.

"I think the girls love me more than mom," Albert joked.

Cengly laughed, "He's always saying that. I have the food."

Even so, Albert's convinced. "They're going to be daddy's girls."