a great read

I have heard that there are a few people reading this blog who are expecting their own little bundle of joy soon...or who have recently had a new arrival. And, as we found out a short time ago... you can't always know "What to expect, when you're expecting"...because what you should be expecting...is the last thing you would expect!!

If there is one thing that I've learned in my 10 days of being a parent to a preemie, is that some of the best medicine and help is from other parents who have had similar experiences. I appreciate every single person who has taken the time to tell us of someone they knew who has had a baby in the NICU...and from those fragile, frightening beginnings, is now a tenacious toddler or the senior class president! Far from cliche, these stories have become our lifeline. Every parent...even those whose babies tip the scale at less than 2 lbs... looks into the eyse of the life you had just created..and wonder what kind of life they will create for themselves. And you hope...

I want to invite everyone who reads this to reach out and lift someone up who is going through something you've been through. You might be the only one who really knows how they feel...and what they really might need. And I want to reach out and offer our hand to anyone going through anything similar to what we are. We would love to share stories, questions, ups and downs... anything. Every little bit has helped us... we were talking on the way home, how much experiences like this really make you more aware and ready to help others out...

So...I will drop any little bit of advice we can give in our limited experience and would love to get any back you have to offer.

I can recommend this book: Preemies- The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies by Dana Wechsler Linden, Emma Trenti Paroli, and Mia Wechsler Doron M.D.- It's an understatement to say that having a baby in the NICU is overwhelming... and this book has been a lifesaver to me to be able to understand what's going on, and what to expect. This book, and not being afraid to ask questions to all the doctors and nurses have helped us keep our heads above water...