NICU Moms {Link Up}

I am linking up with Heather for "NICU moms." This linkup couldn't be more perfect since OUR miracle NICU baby turns ONE tomorrow!

 Olivia Adele was born on May 23rd 2011 at 5:51PM at 26 weeks 3 days (gestation age at birth) at 1 lb 7 oz and 13.8" long. Olivia's due date was August 26th 2011.

How long you were in NICU: 

80 days

Why you were in NICU: 

We will never really know what caused the reason for the emergency c-section. One doctor said maybe the placenta didn't attach correctly. You can read more of Olivia's birth story/ journey here.

(The first time I held Olivia)

Any obstacles you had to overcome: 

Olivia learning to breathe on own, blood transfusions, constant checks for brain bleeding & a heart murmur, gaining weight, keeping body temp up, premature eyes, and eating. Olivia easily tired when eating so she was tube fed up until 2 weeks on and off before her release.

(Olivia 1 month old)

A personal obstacle was choosing to go back to work. I went back just shy of Olivia turning 1 month old. The hospital Olivia stayed at was 1 hour 15 minutes way, one way, from home. I returned to work because I was going crazy at home and needed to keep my mind busy. Also, being at work brought me 35 minutes closer to the hospital. So, sometimes I would head to work (would get up at 545am so I could pump, get ready and make the drive to work) work from 8am-5pm, (pump throughout the day) drive to the hospital, stay as long as possible, (most nights til 8:30-9pm) get home, eat dinner, pump, shower and go to bed. It was an exhausting time, but worth it.


I also had a VERY hard time sleeping at night. The first 2 weeks before I got to hold Olivia, I MAYBE slept an hour or 2 a night. I would spend my nights researching prematurity and then to be positive I started to plan her nursery.


I also couldn't leave Olivia's bedside if she was awake. Sometimes I would stay a lot longer until she fell asleep just because it was so hard to leave.

 (Olivia FINALLY in a crib!)

 We were lucky to have SO much support and positivity around us. Our family & friends were everything! Jeremy was my crutch, when I needed to cry he let me and held me tight, he made the nightly calls when I had already called 12 times and I didn't want the nurses thinking I was crazy and most of all he was VERY supportive of me pumping. It was VERY hard pumping but it was important and I knew it was the right thing for our princess.

It might sound funny but facebook helped me as well. People were constantly messaging me and posting on my wall. Whether it was to tell me our family was in their thoughts, telling me a story of a preemie baby like Olivia who is now perfect and healthy, offering anything we may need help with and even asking for updates on Olivia. I really loved sharing our experience, hopefully it will help others.


Something I did for myself was I showered and got ready every day, no matter if I was going to see Olivia or not. I would blow out my hair, do my makeup and get dressed. It honestly helped. 


I also became superstitious, I wore the same exact essie nail polish all 80 days of Olivia being in the NICU. If it chipped, I would take it off and put on a fresh coat. 
(One time I didn't have it on and that was the day Olivia needed a blood transfusion)

(The day we left the NICU as a family!)

It is crazy to think that a year ago today, I had NO idea I would wake up the next day and become a mom. I thank G-D I had that doctor appointment, Olivia's life was saved. I thank Olivia too, I thank her for fighting and beating the odds. She is our miracle baby :)

(Olivia on her due date)