Flashback Friday/Preemie Pride...

April 15th always brings me back to 2002. April 15, 2002 was the day that the boys were *almost* born. I was 27 weeks pregnant and went for a regular checkup when it was discovered that I was 3.5 cm. dialated and contracting regularly...well, more regularly than my normal 6-8 contractions an hour. I was sent immediately over to the hospital where I spent 5 days in "magnesiums sufate hell" (which don't get me wrong, is way better than "NICU/Preemie Hell"). After that, I was "stabalized" and transferred to a real room where I stayed until the boys were born on May 28, 2002 at 33 weeks and 6 days.

About a week after I was admitted, Jen brought us these 3 little Mickeys.

My doctor saw them and mentioned that they were about the size of the babies at that time...except the babies would have bigger heads. Nice. ;)

I think about those 6 "extra" weeks all the time. There is no good reason that our boys were not born on that day. The hospital was sure they were coming, even called in the extra NICU doctors. But, they weren't born that day. We scored SIX more weeks!!


I feel like we have dealt with a lot of "preemie issues"....and my kids were barely preemies. I always wonder what would have happened if they were born at 27 weeks? Who would they be now? What sort of extra struggles would they be having? Drew had major surgery at 1 week old. He would have needed the surgery regardless of when he was born. How would he have done with major surgery if he was born 6 weeks earlier?!?! Jack didn't walk until he was 22 months old. In fact, I has his IEP meeting today and it was mentioned that he *still* has muscle and strength issues. I can't help but wonder what additional challenges he would have if he would have been born 13 weeks early instead of just over 6 weeks early.


Thinking about those things gives me goosebumps. I thank God all of the time for the extra 6 weeks that he gave to our boys. We are very blessed and I will never forget it.

Ben, on his birthday. 3 pounds, 9 ounces.

Ben was a model patient in the NICU.

He had one minor surgery while in the NICU, but was mostly just a feeder and grower.

He spent 17 days in the NICU.

Drew on his birthday. 3 pounds 11 ounces.

Drew started out well, but after a few days went downhill quickly.

His NICU stay was very scary and a lot of tears were shed worrying about Drew. But, inspite of all of that, even then, he showed us his easy-going, peaceful spirit.

Drew had 2 surgeries and spent 28 days in the NICU.

Jack on his birthday. 3 pounds, 4 ounces.

Jack had the roughest start to life. His lungs were not fully developed when he was born. Fortunately, even at a day old, he was already a determined little boy and knew what he wanted and what he didn't want. That breathing machine was definitely something that he DIDN'T want! He hated it!!

Because of his breathing issues, Jack dropped to 2 pounds 10 ounces at about a week old. He was so pitiful looking, but at the same time, he looked so content to be done with all of those breathing machines. He has had no breathing problems since.

Jack went home after 23 days in the NICU.

Our lucky family.

May 28, 2002