Today, November 17, 2009, is the day to Fight for Preemies. I’ve been telling the story of my micro-preemie son, Eli, on this blog and posting our story once a week for Prematurity Awareness Month. For this Blogger’s Unite event, I thought I would share photos and captions of our time in the NICU.
Nose Canulas need to be taped on the face. Eli had a bad reputation of ripping his off. Those sweet knit hats are made by volunteers for all the preemies. The technique for feeding a preemie is to squeeze the cheeks, support the chin and hold the baby and the bottle at the same time. This was my first attempt... it took much more practice by both of us. Kangaroo Care, or K-Care, is supposed to be very beneficial to preemies. You hold your baby, skin-on-skin, close to your heart. It's one of the few ways you feel like you're actively helping your child. Eli's 1st Photo Session without being attached to the monitors. That was a BIG day. It was scary freedom in that Family Room in the hospital. Testing his response to the car seat. One of the final steps before Eli graduates from the NICU to our home. He looks so tiny and he is swimming in the preemie clothes I bought. Sweet little peanut. Saying goodbye to the NICU was bittersweet. All the doctors and nurses are such special people and Eli couldn't have had better care.
I hope you enjoyed meeting Eli. You can read our story so far here, here and here. Another post will be up on Sunday to continue Eli’s story. You can read other stories today on many blogs by going to Blogger’s Unite or by searching #fight4preemies on Twitter. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for uniting with us in the fight for preemies. The effects of prematurity on micro-preemies is surreal. Your photos of Eli capture the fight these Baby put up in the NICU.
On behalf of the March of Dimes, Thank you so much for participating in this event. Together one day all babies will be born healthy.
Cyndie,
I had no idea what you and Mike went through. I was really touched by your account and it made me appreciate my own children and how fortunate I was uncomplicated births with both. Love the last picture. He looks so peaceful and ready to go home!
Thank you for uniting with us in the fight for preemies. The effects of prematurity on micro-preemies is surreal. Your photos of Eli capture the fight these Baby put up in the NICU.
On behalf of the March of Dimes, Thank you so much for participating in this event. Together one day all babies will be born healthy.
Thank you for reading — it means so much!
Cyndie,
I had no idea what you and Mike went through. I was really touched by your account and it made me appreciate my own children and how fortunate I was uncomplicated births with both. Love the last picture. He looks so peaceful and ready to go home!