It sure has been a BUSY week! I am SO glad it is FRIDAY!
Yesterday we had Olivia's NICU appointment/Check-in. We always try to bring little gifts for the staff so yesterday we brought this plant from Olivia. The ruler says "Thank you for helping me grow!" I put the ladybug insert in the plant because in the NICU we called Olivia our little ladybug. (ladybug stuck as a nickname too!)
Olivia did SO great at her appointment! We figured this would be her last appointment since Olivia has been doing SO great! She has been growing like a weed, talking up a storm and she was discharged from the Early on program.
Olivia's weight is at 23 lbs 8.6oz (75th percentile for 16m), 32 1/4" height (95th percentile for 16m) and 18" head circumference (25th percentile for 16m BUT Jer and I have small heads so that is genetics...)
Keep in mind, Olivia is 19 months old but her corrected age is only 16 months.
Well, we were RIGHT, yesterday was Olivia's last appointment! At the end of Olivia's appointment, the doctor asked us how we felt if yesterday was our last check-up? She talked about how impressed she was with Olivia. Couldn't believe her size, her motor skills, etc. Of course after she told us I balled. To think of how far Olivia has come and all we have been through as a family, there are truly no words! The staff, to me, are heros. They saved our baby, they are why she is alive. I thanked them for all they did for us in between my tears and the hugs were amazing.
This little girl seriously melts my heart!!
I just couldn't stop snapping pictures of her!
Olivia and her special treat! :)
I keep reflecting on yesterday and to think where we were a year ago and then 6 months before that. I never could have imagined YESTERDAY the day I had Olivia, the long days spent in the NICU and then the day we brought her home. I know not all NICU stories end like ours. Some end the day a premature baby is born. Some end in the NICU. Some end some time after the baby comes home. Some never end.
To those families who are currently struggling in their NICU journey, whether you are in the NICU, or home with your NICU baby, know that there IS an end to the journey. Know that there IS a light at the end of that long tunnel. Know that you are NOT alone. Know that it is ok to celebrate the small victories because they are actual HUGE victories! Know that with every set back, there is a come back! Know that no matter what, you don't always have to be strong! Find a shoulder to cry on when you need to. Find the positive when you want to be negative. KNOW there will be a day that sets you free!
Olivia is one tough cookie! She is strong willed, stubborn, and lets nothing stand in her way of achieving a goal. One day, there will be a day that she may say "I can't" and I will not let her believe that. There is NOTHING this girl won't be able to achieve. Jeremy and I are convinced that she will conquer the world. After all, she fought to be with us and fought to LIVe.
I hope any of you who are struggling, find comfort in our story. Olivia was born with a 10% chance to live. She was 26 weeks 3 days and 1lb 7oz. As you can see now, she is healthy and perfect!
Yesterday was our day. Yesterday our NICU journey ended! Yesterday was our happy ending.
13 comments:
Congratulations to Miss Olivia on graduating from her NiCU appointments. What a huge accomplishment. It is truly amazing to see how far she has come and what a vibrant, strong, smart, and adorable little girl she's grown to be. I'm so glad your experience turned out the way it did. She is truly a miracle. My cousin was born at 1lb 7 oz also- in 1988- and she is blind b/c her retinas weren't attached by the time she was born. It amazes me what a little fighter you have- I'm sure she'll always have that spirit!!! Thanks for sharing. And she looks so grown up with the button down and cardi!
That's such great news!!! So happy for all of you! And great job Olivia for being such a tough cookie!!!
I am tearing up over here! What amazing news, and your daughter is truly a little miracle. Such a beauty! Congratulations!!!!!!!
Her story always makes me cry. Congrats to the three of you. I can't imagine being told my baby has a 10% chance to live. And the fact that she is a healthy vibrant little thing now is just so special.
Yay on the accomplishment! :)
congrats to you and olivia...what a great feeling! my son is a nicu baby and we are still doing a lot of therapy as follow up 17 months later. i look forward to the day when we can "graduate" from this program!
This post brought tears to my eyes!! What a journey you have been through with your little one!! So happy she is done with that program!!! Such a miracle baby!!
Awww.. Yay for happy endings. :o)
That plant is too cute!
That is wonderful news!!!
Congrats to miss olivia and your whole family! What an amazing story & such a blessing
This post just choked me up! I am so proud of Olivia and SO happy for you and Jeremy. Everything you went through, I always wondered to myself "How would I ever be able to go through something like this?" And you and Jer were SO positive the whole time! I still remember talking to you on the phone while I was sitting in the Kroger parking lot (the smell of fried chicken always reminds me of that day too now! Kroger must have just made some!) As I was talking to you and trying not to bawl my eyes out, you spoke as if you already knew she was ok and that she was going to make it. I will NEVER forget that. You became MY hero that day! And Jer too!! I am so happy Olivia is here and healthy. And I look forward to every time we get to visit with you guys. I just know you will be a part of our lives forever! Our girls are going to room together at CMU, remember?? HAHAHA!!!! We love you guys so much! Congratulations again!!! xoxo
This just melts my heart! Congratulations!! :)
I loved reading this! Congrats Olivia!!
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