March 10th is the second annual Parents of Preemies Day. I was so excited when I found out there was a day for us. You never stop being a preemie parent and I've never met a stronger, more welcoming group of people.
It's a wonderful feeling to know that while my baby can't show it yet, we're appreciated and acknowledged for all we went through with him in his first days, weeks and months of life. While we were one of the lucky ones with an "easy" NICU stay, no ones jealous, and we can all sympathize with everyone else. We've all been there. Each day outside of the NICU is a struggle, not just for our preemie but inside ourselves. Someone once asked me why I wasn't over the whole thing yet, its closing in on a year since Caiden's early arrival. Millions of babies are born premature. One in eight born in the US will be born weeks if not months before they are ready. Until that number is zero, not one of us parents will be over it.
While Caiden and every other preemie was fighting for their life, we as parents were fighting along side them. We are their biggest cheerleader, as a preemie parent you hold an even more important role in their success than any doctor ever could.
Anyone who knows me personally knows for being on the young side, I've overcome many daunting obstacles in my life but nothing compares to this. I have a saying I live by now. It's as simple as it is powerful: Infinitely strong, infinitely brave. I wholeheartedly believe this applies to both ourselves as parents and our preemie(s). Our babies overcome so much just to have a chance at life without even realizing what's going on around them. We have no choice but to sit there next to them, our hearts weeping and for someone, anyone to acknowledge what we as mothers and fathers go through along side our tiny miracles is a stitch on an unfortunately large group of broken hearts.
For more information about Parents of Preemies Day please go to
http://parentsofpreemiesday.org
or find them on Facebook at
facebook.com/parentsofpreemiesday
He really looks so grown up now! I forget how tiny he was. My little monkey was also tiny but now she is so chubby.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased Caiden is getting around. I was at the doctor's office in December when Eve had another seizure and there was a girl there who is at my mother's preschool. She is 18 months old and still doesn't walk. She scootches along the floor on her bottom. She has a skateboard she uses to get around. Her parents aren't helping her but disabling her. She wasn't necessarily preemie but know this. Caiden is motivated and will get to doing all those cool things! Keep it up. Being this strong takes it's toll. I was watching a video earlier about taking care of baby and a lot of it doesn't apply to preemie moms. BF makes me angry and upset. I am still not over it. I try to be but I am ripped apart by the distress, pressure, disapproval and snide remarks from everyone. I will never be able to do that route again.