Reflection on our time in the NICU

Abigail's BIRTHday!

I look like HELL in this picture. I can't leave out my 1st pic with Abigail cause of how I look...but it's scary, I know! I'm a GHOST!

Today began Eric and Kathy's 36 hour radio-a-thon to raise money for Children's Memorial Hospital. Rob and I began donating a few years ago for many reasons. The stories are so touching. My sister worked for Children's Memorial Hospital and now raises money for Bear Necessities. However, last year when it came on I was pregnant and thought it was "good karma" to donate...we hoped we'd never have to be at Children's Memorial but thought you never know. Little did we know 5 months later our daughter would become a resident of CMH...as would we. I heard the same stories today I heard a year ago and it brought back so many memories. But we never thought we would actually be at Children's...and we hope and pray we will never go back...but we are so fortunate that CMH was there for us!

So today I just wanted to reflect on Abigail's amazing story. Finding out I was in labor at 30 weeks was probably the scariest moment in our lives. However, within an hour the NICU staff was in our room prepping us and answering questions. And at 31 weeks when she was born, the staff became family. I'll never forget going into her room X-mas morning so sad because that's not how a baby should celebrate X-mas-and her room was full of gifts from the nurses and their families. I'll never forget them letting us hold her for a X-mas picture because they knew how much we needed it! I'll never forget toasting the nurses who spent New Year's Eve with the babies. However, it was even harder on Rob than me. He had to go to work everyday and could not be with her or see her. After a LONG day at work, Rob would drive to the hospital to spend an hour or two with Abigail before heading home to get a few hours of sleep so we could start all over again the next day. But everyday he was there to talk to her and read her a book before bedtime. I was luckier cause I could be with her...but I spent 12+ hours each day in the NICU while Abigail was in an incubator not able to be held...but I was never alone. They would bring me water, walk with me to get coffee, share stories of their families, listen to my stories. I cried as much the day we left as I did the day we entered the NICU.

Abigail really is an amazing baby! She did so well from the moment she was born. We only try to remember the good parts...but it's also important to not forget the scary parts too so we never take for granted what a gift it is that she's here and healthy. Like the 1st time we saw her face without a tube in her nose or mouth, or the 1st time she was able to drink from a bottle. For most babies that's day 1, but for her, it was weeks later. When I look back at that 1st diaper she wore, it makes me amazed that she is here! How can anything that little fight so hard???? Watch out world, because Abigail is here and she is STRONG!

We can't help all the kids, but we definitely can make a difference for the families. We donated this year in honor of not only Abigail, but her friends Cally and Luca who were both under 2 lbs when they were born and who would not be here without CMH. http://www.childrensmemorial.org/

Have a GREAT weekend with your family..

I know tonight we will hug Abigail just a little bit tighter!

And it's FINALLY here...the Olympics start tonight! I will keep everyone updated on the medals! USA women (soccer) lost their 1st game to Norway. The women's next game is 5:30am tomorrow morning. Go USA!!!!

Abigail's 1st diaper...and her diaper now!

Mommy and Daddy's 1st visit!

Our 1st hold...X-mas Eve!

The most AMAZING X-mas gift ever!