11 Days

Isabella was in the NICU for 11 days. I would say long days, however, I had the privilege of meeting several mommies in the NICU, of babies that have been or will be in the NICU for months. Long months. One of the mommies I met was Diane. She is the proud mommy of Jesus, whom was born just 2 days before Isabella weighing in at a whopping 3 pounds. He is just such a handsome little man, and we became rather fond of him since he was just across the way from Isabella. We would pray for him and keep an eye on what was going on with him to report back to his Mommy when she would return. He was born at 29 weeks and will most likely be in the NICU until August. Diane has 2 other boys at home (8 and 1.5 yrs old) and has to commute from pretty far to come see her little man. Plese pray for her and little Jesus.



I loved how our nurse, Sarah, caught this amazingly cute picture of Isabella and Jesus together. Just as Sarah took the picture Isabella let out a big, gummy grin. She is such a smiley girl. (Don't anyone tell me she doesn't know she is smiling. She will smile at very specific times, like when she makes eye contact with Daddy or is being held by her big sister.)

Two days before Isabella was to go home, I met another mommy. I remember telling Tim that she was there day and night. I thought Tim and I were there the most, but this mommy was in that back corner with her little girl non-stop. When I got the chance to speak with her she shared her story. She was pregnant with twins went into labor at 23 weeks. Her little boy was born that day and did not survive. As she told me about him and his birth day, just 2.5 months before, she cried, but then a smile crossed over her face. She started to tell me about her daughter. Her daughter held out until 23 weeks and 5 days, born at 1.3 pounds , and now, 2.5 months later is doing well. She will most likely be in the NICU approximately 5 months, but this Mommy could not have seemed more happy and thrilled to hear that I was about to take my little girl home soon. I thanked her for her candidness and told her how in awe I was of God and how this little girl had survived. She said, "Yes, she is a miracle." Yes, they all are.

We also had the privilege of meeting Rebecca. She is the mommy of Alliana. Alliana was born weighing 1lb 9ozs, with many muscle issues, and is considered a long term NICU baby. We did have the privilege of being able to pray for her as well and were able to see her go from the incubator to an open crib. What a blessing that was. Rebecca was so inspiring to me. When we discussed her little girl, she said, "She is what my heart has been desiring since I was 5 years old. She is my angel." I told her I would never complain again about how long my baby had been in the NICU. She reminded me that I also was a Mommy longing to have my little girl home with me and that I had every right to feel the way I did. She was so refreshing and like a balm to my soul.

I found that each NICU mommy I spoke with had such hope. They had the best expectations. They smiled and shared their hearts so openly. I was touched by these women. I was the egotistical one thinking God was going to use me in the NICU, but instead he used these other mommies and their babies to grow me in a way that I just can't express in words.

Saying goodbye to these mommies, on our last day, was very bittersweet. As we hugged and they gave us their very sincere well wishes, I couldn't help but feel so heartbroken that they couldn't be taking their babies home, too. Please, say a prayer for all these mommies and their babies.

I can't say I miss our Isabella being in the NICU, but I do miss the wonderful doctors and nurses. I miss the time I got to spend with the other mommies and getting to pray for those sweet babies. I miss holding Isabella for hours on end, without interruption from someone asking for permission to play outside or need help wiping their bottom in the bathroom (Not that I don't love those moments, too). I was blessed with the time to spend some very quality time with my newborn daughter. I was blessed with some time to really see my husband through a different light. I was blessed with the knowledge that prayer really does work and that we are so blesses to have the family and friends that we do. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.



**I will do my birth story post soon. I have decided to make it a 'mini-series' of sorts, just to keep you guys checking back. I know, I am so bad... but, I just LOVE hearing from you all. xoxo

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On a totally different note:

Go check out Dani Joy's blog and place a vote for the 'name this picture' caption contest. The picture is so stinkin' cute, Dani Joy's blog is such a blessing, and the entry's were very creative!