Nicu

Update from Preemieville

Our two-pound baby is now a thriving, healthy fifteen-pound giant. 3rd percentile on the growth chart, so maybe not a giant… but that’s 3rd percentile for his chronological age (7 months, 1 week), not his adjusted age (4 months, 3 weeks) — he’s on the chart!

Advice to NICUs

My wife and I spent seven weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with our 4-year-old, and ten weeks in the NICU with our baby, home just a couple of weeks ago. I am so grateful for the care that both of my sons received, by dedicated, highly competent doctors and nurses. The fact that my…

So, Your Baby’s in the NICU…

A guide from one parent to another

First, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry. I don’t know your situation, obviously. I don’t know if everything is going to be okay or if this is just the beginning of a long road of challenges…

Two steps forward, one step back

Big picture still good, little picture… is a little more complicated. Last week we felt like we were almost there, light at the end of the tunnel — this week, more of a mixed bag. All tied to his one real issue — he’s just not quite ready yet.

The End is in Sight = The Beginning is in Sight

Okay, since I last wrote, some big steps forward. Our baby is in an open crib, he’s taking some of his feeds by bottle… he’s getting there. Still some oxygen support, still not taking every feed by mouth, but the trajectory is good, the end is in…

Dear Son, I’m Sorry

Dear Son,

By the time you’re able to read this, I’m confident that this will all be ancient history. For you, no memory, just a story we tell, the irrelevant reality of your first months of life, and, for us, something from the past that we try hard not to think about.