Premies: Taking a closer look

Yes, November is pre-mature awareness month. But, that's not the only reason this is being discussed here. I have a few friends who have had premies & one that's baby is currently in the NICU...fighting for her life. To say that this is an issue that hits close to home would be an understatement.

I wrote about a sweet little girl - Ellie, the other day. Her mom, Amanda, is a sweet woman & I'm lucky to know her through an online community of women that have all pulled together to support & pray for both her & her baby during this difficult time.

But their story got me to thinking about the other women in that very same community who had previous babies born prematurely who also had their share of time in the NICU.

First, let's start out with a definition of the word premie: any baby born before 37wks gestation. There are varying degrees of prematurity, but any baby born before this allocated time is technically premature.

Here is Trey:



He is three years old. He is a happy, healthy little boy. He loves to play & have fun. His mom, Nola, is a great woman who I've come to know & love. Trey also has a little sister named Aubrey. Could you have ever guessed that he was once as tiny as this...?



Yes, Trey is bigger now. But that doesn't mean he wasn't once a tiny, little helpless baby who needed special care. The same is true for this precious little bug:



Her name is Cameron. She was a tiny 3lbs at birth. Her mom, Michelle, is someone I've really connected with in the online community we come from. You'd never guess the picture above is the same little girl as the picture below. But it is.

This same little girl now loves mermaids & candy. She has a baby sister named Juliana.




For some reason, in the last few weeks, I've been extremely drawn to this topic. My heart strings pull & pray for this sweet little baby to fight. To make it so she can be one of the success stories I've shared with you on this blog.

All I can tell you is this - the NICU days are hard. I have heard the stories. I have read the pain, but I haven't felt it. I hope I never have to. But for those that have - a helping hand or even just a prayer their way will do a world of good. & if you're feeling really ambitious, head over to the March of Dimes. They're always looking for a donation for babies just like these. & I whole-heartedly believe every penny (& second) is worth their time.

Adventures in Toddlerhood: Ed. 1

Whether or not we want to believe it,

we set examples everyday.

To our neighbors, other drivers, etc.

But ultimately, it is the next generation

that determines what our future holds.

I stumbled upon this little girls' picture when one of the mommas I'm friends with in a birth month group (June, when Elonah was born) posted it. She said that her daughter told her that her little brother needed fed, then proceeded to get out the parts to her pump & lift up her shirt.

It is honestly one of the most adorable things I've seen. It's also completely innocent. That little girl knows nothing else than that milk from her mommy is what her little brother eats. & she has no shame in the fact that it comes from parts of mommy that aren't always seen as feeding tools. & why should she? There's no shame in the fact that her mom is doing what she thinks is right for her family & her little boy.

This picture is also priceless. This came via another mom on my June board. While he is a boy & may not understand the concept quite yet, he knows no shame in what he's doing. Good. That's what I like to see.

Okay, so...maybe the example I set isn't for a kiddo as big as the one in the photos above. But, my goal to set a healthy example has already begun. For the hundreds of little people who have seen me breastfeeding in public, this will continue to become more normal.

The truth is, I don't care if you choose to breastfeed, co-sleep, cloth diaper...or baby-wear or any of the other many things I'm passionate about. It's not a matter of judgement. It's a matter of doing what works for you & realizing that your take on life will be passed down to your children. As a parent, one of the most amazing things I've already learned is that the examples we set, no matter how big or small...will develop our children into the type of people we either want or don't want them to be. & as the example-setters; it is up to us who that is.