Well, let me start by saying this year has already started out as a blur. It is already the middle of February and each day seems to go faster and faster. Where does time go?
For all of our preemies, their days are spent in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until they are strong enough to make the transition to life at home with their families. I am so happy to report that we have already had a couple of premature babies graduate from the NICU this year and they are thriving at home. As for the other wonderful babies that we have the pleasure to hear about and follow their progress, they are making great strides each day. Sometimes there are "little bumps in the road" so to speak...but that is all part of being born too early and having to struggle to each day to learn what some folks say are the "normal things". Examples: breathing, regulating body temperature, bottling and nippling....the list goes on and on for our sweet preemies. So in short, we are so very proud of our Preemie Proud babies! Way to go! Keep Growing!
For the parents of premature infants in the Neonatal Unit, these last couple of months and weeks have been both emotionally and physically stressful. Several of our parents have had to return to work and find themselves trying to balance family, work, and visits to the NICU all at the same time. We are constantly thinking of our parents and trying to support them on our Preemie Proud Facebook Page. Luckily, some of our parents have spouses and other family members that are currently helping to balance out their life with a preemie. Even the moms that recently have taken their pre-term babies home find themselves doing the balancing act - work, other children, household chores, and now their preemie's care. Sometimes a NICU grad goes home with medical equipment, a list of medications, and many doctor appointments to keep. To all of our new parents that find themselves in this position, please know that you are not alone and there are other parents that are going through the same preemie journey as you. Also, there are many of us that have been through the NICU journey ourselves and would love to help support you through your preemie experience. Come join us on Facebook and connect with other preemie families!
Business News - As some of you already know, after the first of the year, Preemie Proud moved full-time to our commercial location. This allows us to have more room for production of premature baby clothing and other great preemie accessories. As with any move, there are still "kinks" to be worked out and we are dealing with them as they come up. So far, the move has been a wonderful experience. We have been able to up our production rate and have several new items to be listed on our website http://www.preemieproud.com/ . Some of you have asked if we have a storefront now. Unfortunately, we do not have a store front at this time that is open to the public. We are using our commercial location for production purposes only. BUT...you can still find our wonderful micro preemie clothes and preemie clothing online at our website Preemie Proud . Be sure to look at the daily featured items located on our homepage.
Sincerely,
Crystal
Preemie Proud
Mom of former 29 weeker
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Way to go babies!
I am so proud of all of our preemie babies! As the new year begins, I hear of all the amazing babies that are fighting so hard each day. Every milestone and all progress is such an amazing thing that should be celebrated. On our Facebook page, I create milestone graphics for our babies as they hit a new stage in their NICU journey such as weight gain, off the vent, moving to an open crib, etc. Our goal is to support each baby and their family as they make their way through the NICU- one step at a time. We celebrate each tiny step as they go! Join our facebook family and help us celebrate!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Christmas Poem
Jolly Old St. NICU
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and in each isolette
Little creatures were squirming and getting all set;
Machinery sat by their bedsides with care,
In hopes that good breathing skills soon would be there.
Day shifters were home all snug in their beds,
As visions of overtime danced in their heads;
While preemies on ventilators, and some on CPAP,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap...
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
The residents woke up to see what was the matter.
Away from the sink I flew like a jet
To make sure all was well at my baby's isolette.
Some bilirubin lights with their powerful glow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to babies below,
When, there before my wondering eyes, it would seem,
Was an oversized stroller and a medical team.
With a handful of needles with which they could stick you,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nicu.
More rapid than eagles his specialists came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Nurses! Now, Residents! Now, Neonatologists!
On, Social Workers! On, Respiratory and Occupational Therapists!
From the front of the unit! To the end of the hall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
Up to each baby's cribside they flew,
With the stroller full of toys, and St. Nicu too.
And then, in a twinkling, they stopped at each bed
And tucked in the babies and got them all fed.
As I looked at my baby, and was turning around,
Down our aisle St. Nicu came with a bound.
He was dressed in red scrubs, and I could instantly tell
That his clothes had an obvious hospital smell;
A bag of stuffed animals was flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
A little red pen he held tight in his teeth,
And a stethoscope encircled his neck like a wreath.
He was chubby and plump, with a few extra pounds,
And I laughed when I saw him there doing his rounds.
A turn of his clipboard and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke few words, but came straight to my side,
And running down his face was a tear he had cried.
And laying his hand on the back of my head,
He gave me a nod, and slowly he said:
"Each night you come here you're aware of the danger,
But your baby is loved by the One in the manger."
Then the medical team gave a thumbs-up and smiled
And St. Nicu placed an animal next to my child.
But I heard him exclaim, as they rolled out of sight,
"Merry Christmas, tiny baby, and have a wonderful night!"
Reprinted with permission from:
MOST (Mothers of Supertwins)
Supporting Multiple Birth Families...Every Step of the Way
PO Box 306; East Islip, NY 11730-0306
(631) 859-1110
info@mostonline.org
Source: http://www.preemiecare.org/jollynicu.htm
Accessed: December 20, 2010
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and in each isolette
Little creatures were squirming and getting all set;
Machinery sat by their bedsides with care,
In hopes that good breathing skills soon would be there.
Day shifters were home all snug in their beds,
As visions of overtime danced in their heads;
While preemies on ventilators, and some on CPAP,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap...
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
The residents woke up to see what was the matter.
Away from the sink I flew like a jet
To make sure all was well at my baby's isolette.
Some bilirubin lights with their powerful glow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to babies below,
When, there before my wondering eyes, it would seem,
Was an oversized stroller and a medical team.
With a handful of needles with which they could stick you,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nicu.
More rapid than eagles his specialists came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Nurses! Now, Residents! Now, Neonatologists!
On, Social Workers! On, Respiratory and Occupational Therapists!
From the front of the unit! To the end of the hall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
Up to each baby's cribside they flew,
With the stroller full of toys, and St. Nicu too.
And then, in a twinkling, they stopped at each bed
And tucked in the babies and got them all fed.
As I looked at my baby, and was turning around,
Down our aisle St. Nicu came with a bound.
He was dressed in red scrubs, and I could instantly tell
That his clothes had an obvious hospital smell;
A bag of stuffed animals was flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
A little red pen he held tight in his teeth,
And a stethoscope encircled his neck like a wreath.
He was chubby and plump, with a few extra pounds,
And I laughed when I saw him there doing his rounds.
A turn of his clipboard and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke few words, but came straight to my side,
And running down his face was a tear he had cried.
And laying his hand on the back of my head,
He gave me a nod, and slowly he said:
"Each night you come here you're aware of the danger,
But your baby is loved by the One in the manger."
Then the medical team gave a thumbs-up and smiled
And St. Nicu placed an animal next to my child.
But I heard him exclaim, as they rolled out of sight,
"Merry Christmas, tiny baby, and have a wonderful night!"
Reprinted with permission from:
MOST (Mothers of Supertwins)
Supporting Multiple Birth Families...Every Step of the Way
PO Box 306; East Islip, NY 11730-0306
(631) 859-1110
info@mostonline.org
Source: http://www.preemiecare.org/jollynicu.htm
Accessed: December 20, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Personalized Preemie Santa Hats
Order one of our polar fleece, Preemie Santa Hats and turn it into a treasured keepsake by having it personalized for your premature baby. Let your preemie celebrate the Christmas season in style with a customized Santa Hat!
Season Greetings from Preemie Proud!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
May you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday! Remember to give thanks for all your many blessings including the tiniest of them all.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Christmas T-Shirts for Premature Babies!
We have begun adding preemie Christmas t-shirt to our premature infant inventory. Please visit our website to view these items. More premature baby Christmas t-shirt designs will be available at the first of next week!!! Here is a sample of one Christmas design....
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Prematurity Awareness Day!
November is Prematurity Awareness Month! Today, November 17th, is National Prematurity Awareness Day! Visit March of Dimes to see what you can do to help in the fight against prematurity!
I am in awe of the amount of fundraisers I have seen listed for today in our local area and on the internet. March of Dimes Chapters across the US are hosting special events as well as businesses and individual families. The out pouring of support is amazing!!! Events range from students passing out Awareness Bracelets, to Bowling for Babies, Donating Crocheted Hats to hospitals, Restaurant Fundraisers, etc. Thank you for your willingness to support such a worthy cause. We wish every event much success!!! May you be blessed for your generous efforts!
If you would like to help make a difference or learn more about Prematurity Awareness Month, please visit the March of Dimes website.
I am in awe of the amount of fundraisers I have seen listed for today in our local area and on the internet. March of Dimes Chapters across the US are hosting special events as well as businesses and individual families. The out pouring of support is amazing!!! Events range from students passing out Awareness Bracelets, to Bowling for Babies, Donating Crocheted Hats to hospitals, Restaurant Fundraisers, etc. Thank you for your willingness to support such a worthy cause. We wish every event much success!!! May you be blessed for your generous efforts!
If you would like to help make a difference or learn more about Prematurity Awareness Month, please visit the March of Dimes website.
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