Quints born to missionaries in Dallas

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DALLAS, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Quintuplets born to missionaries were in stable condition in neonatal intensive care, the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas said.

The five babies born Thursday to Carrie and Gavin Jones are among the first quintuplets delivered nationally this year, CNN reported. They ranged in weight from 1 pound 12 ounces to 2 pound 11 ounces.

Their mother called the three boys and two girls "five tiny bundles of perfection," the news network said.

The babies -- Will Edward, David Stephen, Marcie Jane, Seth Jared and Grace Elise -- were in St. Paul's University Hospital, part of the medical center complex, and were likely to remain hospitalized for several months as they put on weight, CNN said. A team of more than 50 medical personnel spent months preparing for the births.

Gavin Jones is a helicopter pilot, CNN said. The hospital said the couple and their 8-year-old son Isaac are missionaries in Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific.

"We have been blown away by the outpouring of prayers and support for us through this unexpected journey," Gavin Jones said in a statement. "We are especially grateful to the team of professionals at UTSW who have gone beyond the call of duty in preparing for the babies and caring for Carrie. They have been amazing."

The hospital said about 12 sets of quintuplets are born in the United States each year, while the Centers for Disease Control reported 16 sets in 2009.