We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.
A note from mom:
"My son Jacob was born in July at 26 weeks. He spent 9 weeks in the NICU, which is a lot shorter than we originally expected! I was put on bed rest at 19 weeks and admitted to the hospital at 23 weeks due to an incomeptant cervix. Needless to say it was not how I expected my first pregnancy to be. However, Jacob is worth all of it an more! Jacob's NICU stay was long, but overall good. He was born at 2lbs, 8oz and thriving! He spent only about 12 hours on a ventilator and was on vapo-therm for most of his 9 week stay. He was on and off of photo therapy for the first couple of weeks. Every day was a roller coaster ride. I was very emotional in the beginning and would cry every time I went in to see him. My mom would recite "two steps forward, one step back" to me, reminding me that he was progressing but would occasionally have a hiccup. I think I started to "settle in" to the NICU once Jacob came out of the isolette and into an open air crib, at 5 weeks. He took to nursing very quickly... and before I knew it 9 weeks had gone by and we were going home!"
Volunteer Photographer:
Jamie Roye Preemie Prints volunteer Tampa Bay Area, FL
A note from Jamie:
"When I walked through the door I was greeted with such welcome and warmth. Jacob and his family are wonderful down-to-earth people and Jacob was such a happy little boy! He loved to smile for the camera. He is a true miracle for his survival and strength and he definitely wasted no time gaining weight and becoming the happy, healthy boy he is today at 4 months old."
"When I walked through the door I was greeted with such welcome and warmth. Jacob and his family are wonderful down-to-earth people and Jacob was such a happy little boy! He loved to smile for the camera. He is a true miracle for his survival and strength and he definitely wasted no time gaining weight and becoming the happy, healthy boy he is today at 4 months old."
These pictures are great. What a happy, lovely family. I am so glad Jacob is doing so well. Claire you always sounded so calm on the phone and through texts but I know it was an emotional roller coaster. You and Johnathan did amazing through it all!! Love you, Trish
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