Comments:
July 7, 2008, 8:00pm. Born at 27weeks 3 days. I had no understanding of what the next 135 days would bring. I was not prepared for what waited for me when I walked into the NICU for the first time to meet my daughter born at 2lbs 4oz. People try to comfort and congradulate. Unless you personally experience a pre-mature baby, no one will ever undersand how you can celebrate the birth of a child while mourning the loss of childhood. Alexis developed Necrotizing Endocrolitis (NEC) and had surgery to remove a portion of per perforated bowl. She spent a month with her intestines coming out of her belly button, running through a re-feeder until a second surgery put it back together. Support groups and reading are the best way to understand what is happening and where you will be. As we approach Alexis' 2nd birthday. She laughs and giggles with me while I play peek-a-boo. You would never know that on day 75 her heart stopped beating and had to be restarted with paddles becuase she was so sick. The only reminder today are the memories, pictures and a scar. We have blown every milestone out of the water and are looking toward the future. To say that a stay in the nicu is a roller coaster does not even come close to describe what happens, it is mearly an analogy for others to help understand.

Comments:
I myself had a premmie baby, a wonderfull little who boy who suffered many complications as a result of being so small. But he has persevered and is now a walking energetic 2 yr old with a big heart. We are still working through many issues but I wouldn't change one minute. now a very close friend of mine has delivered twind at 31 weeks. They are heathy but so smaal. Iwas looking for poems or words that I could print up for them to post on their glass boxes. I was kind of dissaponited to find that there is not much out there.I did use one I found on this site but I also wrote one I'd like to share... Here we lay helpless and weak, but don’t cry for us because we are brave. Mommy and Daddy built us well and we will succeed. I know it’s hard to look upon our little bodies from above the glass but don’t be scared because we’ll soon be out running about. Making you laugh, cry, and even go a little crazy. You’re out there and we’re in here but we feel your love and we are fighting. Pray for us and we’ll get bigger. Love us and we’ll get better. We can hear you and we can sense you, so don’t worry too much because we can feel that too. Early is better than late, but we have much growing to do. We can hardly wait to feel your heart against ours so we’ll keep fighting and you keep praying to the stars.

Comments:
My son was born at 29 and 3/7 weeks on 11-4-08. He was 2pds 11 oz and 15 inches. He was just a little guy! I had no complications during my pregnancy, just one random day my water broke with I was 27 weeks. I was transferred to the hospital where I spend a few weeks on bedrest until I was rushed to an emergency c-sec on 11-4-08 because I was in active labor and didn't even know. The contractions didn't show on the stress tests and I felt very tired and that was it. So my little man spent 8 weeks in the NICU and came home at 6pd 11oz. A year and a half later he is 30 pounds and wild as ever. It is a very scary experience but he has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me :) I luv with every moment. He had no complications then or after. I had emergency gall bladder surgery 2 weeks after I delivered my son. So who know's what caused my water to break.

Comments:
HI,I HAD MY FIRST BABY BOY, MARCH 1, 2010, HE WEIGHED 1 POUND 5.5 OUNCES!! HE IS DOING PRETTY GOOD TO BE SO SMALL. TODAY HE WEIGHS 1 POUND 13 OUNCES!I REALLY ENJOYED READING THE STORIES ON HERE THEY REALLY HELPED!! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO POSTED YOURSTORY

Comments:
Wow...can it be that 12 years have gone by since I posted "Summit of Conquest, by Chris Chirillo" on the Preemie Child's Show and Tell site?? Chris is now 22 years old, graduated from high school last year, has had a part-time job at a pet store for 3 years, and has become a mature young man. Once his brother leaves for college next Sept, we'll begin working on getting Chris ready to live on his own with assistance. He just got his braces off and has lovely straight teeth! He's going on a short cruise with me next Fall to Mexico. He seems to be in a lull in his life, between school and full adulthood. He is a small guy, 5',5", 115 lbs. He just never caught up in size! He's on the high end of the autism spectrum, and has a wicked sense of humor. He wants a girlfriend in the worst way. (He had his first kiss when he was 13! No action since then!!) I enjoy having him live with me. We like many of the same TV shows, we both love our cats, and both of us find his younger brother to be annoying at times. Can't wait to see what the future brings for my former 29 weeker!