Friday, May 31, 2013

Welcome Deanna Poppe as a Volunteer Photographer!

Please help us give a warm welcome to our newest volunteer photographer, Deanna! Deanna will be helping give the gift of photography near Cincinatti, OH.

Lemons & Poppies Photography 
russodjv@gmail.com

Service Area: Cincinatti

About Deanna:
"After having a preemie myself, I wish to help other families heal from their NICU experiences. I have a bachelors in fine arts and have practiced photography as a hobby for six years."



Thursday, May 30, 2013

Sweet Little Robbie's NICU Photo Shoot


Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.


A note from Mom:
"Our Robbie was born 7 weeks early, because of complications I was having with my pregnancy. Robbie was taken straight to the NICU after his birth, and I was taken straight to the ICU so I didn't get to see him until he was about 5 days old and it was several more days before I could hold him. I was released when he was about 2 weeks old, and coming home without our baby was one of the hardest things in the world. We can't wait for the day when we get to bring him home. Robbie was a wiggle-worm from his earliest ultrasound and even in his little NICU bed, he still kicks and stretches just link when he was in my belly. He already knows what he likes and doesn't like and we already know that we could not be more crazy about him."

Volunteer Photographer:
Ashley Diamond Siegert - Bryan, TX

A note from Ashley:
"Meet Robert Owen Baker. Robbie was born 7 weeks early due to mom, Carrie, suffering from Pre-Eclampsia, but is quite healthy aside from struggling to maintain healthy oxygen levels. His little personality is quite serious and he wants to call the shots, but he loves when mom and dad get to come visit everyday and be there for his feedings which is super special because Mom did not get to visit the NICU for Robbie's first 5 days. Robbie is a little fighter and I have no doubt he will be running around sooner than expected."







Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Houston May H.O.P.E (Helping Other Parents Endure) meeting

Our Houston May NICU H.O.P.E. Meeting was amazing. We had both current and NICU grad families that were able to come and a share. We all enjoyed a meal donated by Krogers. We are so grateful that they saved the day at the last minute. We also received refreshments from Chick-Fil-A. We're looking forward to next month's meeting and hope you and your family can make the next one! Stay tuned for more to come out of our Houston Chapter. Our next meeting for Houston NICU families is June 29th so save the date!

Friday, May 24, 2013

Beautiful Justice's NICU Grad Photo Shoot

Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.


A note from Mom:
"At 22 weeks I was admitted into the hospital, 3cm dialed with a bulging amniotic sac. At this point our plan was to just try and keep me pregnant as long as possible. December 26th I started feeling bad cramps. TO my surprise the doctors checked me and i was 10cm dilated. It was time to deliver the baby at only 24 weeks. Our future was so uncertain. At 6:06AM a beautiful little girl was born weighing 1lb 5oz and just shy of 12 inches. My daughter had a long road ahead. She had a PDA, PFO, heart murmur, ROP stage 2, and was intubated for 8 weeks. She was on O2 for almost 4 months. Our 4 month 1 day stay in the NICU forever changed my life. I thank God for my daughter every night. I'm thankful for the nurses and doctors who helped us get where we are. The road has not been easy, but so worth fighting for. <3 My daughter is the love of my life."

Volunteer Photographer:
Liz Crans - Buffalo, NY

A note from Liz:
"Justice was one of the happiest babies I have done a session with! She loved playing peek-a-boo and smelling the flowers. We had such a great time going around the park and following Justice as she explored!"









Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Smiling Sarah's NICU Grad Photo Shoot


Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.


A note from Mom:
"Sarah was born at 32 weeks as an emergency c-section, because I was hemmorhaging from placenta previa. Thankfully, she started crying before the doctor even got her all the way out. Sarah was int he NICU for exactly 1 month. She did well with her lung development, but had issues with bradycardias and apnea, and it took her a really long time to meet the independent feeding requirements. She was discharged with an apnea monitor, but has since graduated from that and has been doing amazingly well ever since. She is such an awesome blessing in our lives."


Volunteer Photographer:
Jamie Roye - New Port Richey, FL

A note from Jamie:
"Sarah Grace was the happiest baby I've ever photographed. She was full of smiles and laughter, it was hard to pick out which photos to use! She knows sign language for "enough" and she kept waving her hands in the air laughing. It was so sweet and funny, and which it came time for her cake she was dainty and very "lady like'; she didn't even get that messy until she decided to stick her whole foot in the cake! It was such a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon I'm so happy to have met Sarah and her family. They are truly blessed."









Sweet Little Fenyx's NICU Grad Photo Session


Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.


A note from Mom:
"Fenyx was born at 39 weeks with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia that was diagnosed at eighteen weeks. He spent from 1/21/2013 to 3/3/2013 in the NICU. He had surgery to fix his hernia at two days old. He is our little miracle and has proven everyone wrong. He still has a feeding tube and has horrible reflux, but is otherwise perfect."


Volunteer Photographer:
Lisa Barney - Salt Lake City, UT

A note from Lisa:
"I loved this family! All 3 of those beautiful children were kind and sweet. Fenyx was adorable and so easy to work with. I''m so glad I got this opportunity to shoot this session. It was one of my favorites as of yet! Thank you, Monica, for giving me the chance. And good luck with all of your trials you will be overcoming in the future. Kiss that baby for me!"






Monday, May 13, 2013

Welcome Bugaroo Moments Photography!


Please help us give a warm welcome to our newest volunteer photographer, Sarah! Sarah will be helping give the gift of photography in Montgomery County, PA.

Bugaroo Moments Photography
sarah@bugaroomoments.com

Service Area: Montgomery County, PA

About Savannah:
"I want to volunteer for Preemie Prints, because newborn photography is my passion. I come from a family of doctors and nurses, my full-time job is in the medical field as well, so I've always felt at home in the medical settings. I'm also now a mother. My twin boys were born at 29 weeks and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. Having gone through that experience first hand, I'm always looking for ways to "pay it forward" for other families. I've always been a hobbyist photographer since my teen years. I made he move to professional photography a year and a half ago. I focus exclusively on lifestyle and portraiture, primarily for children and families. I feel so rewarded when I am able to capture images that show the love and connection between people."





Thursday, May 9, 2013

May NICU H.O.P.E. Meeting - BCS Chapter

We hope you can attend the May meeting. Thank you to Little Guys Movers Of Bryan College Station for your support of NICU families! Thank you for being our May meal sponsor. Monthly meetings are held at The College Station Medical Center and St. Joseph's Heath System in support of past & present NICU families. Our meetings are held to connect past and present NICU families to form a network of support. We meet each month to visit, ask questions, welcome new attendees, and offer support to families in the Bryan College Station area who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. We thank all community restaurants and businesses who choose to partner with us in support of families. Together we are raising awareness about the difficulty NICU families face & supporting them along their journey! Next time you have a move please consider using Little Guys in thanks.

May meeting information is below: 




Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Double NICU Photo Session in TN


Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.


A note from Mom:
"Josh and I gave birth to our 34 week boy/girl twins, Atticus and Eloise. Both babies look great for 34 weeks, weighing 4 lb. 14 oz. and 4 lb. 4 oz.  respectively. Because they came a little earlier than planned, our babies needed some NICU time, maybe a week or so, but we do not yet have a definite timeline. We have visited them several times now and have heard nothing but good news so far! It sounds like the NICU nurses are ready to put us through Mom and Dad boot camp :) and we need it, since these are our first children."


Volunteer Photographer:
Jill Geisler - Knoxville, TN

A note from Jill:
"After waiting a year and a half to finally get the word out in the Knoxville, TN area, I had my first NICU session for Preemie Prints today, and it couldn't have been better! Mom and Dad were so excited for me to meet and photograph their precious twins, Atticus and Eloise. And being a full time Newborn Photographer, this was a very special session for me as well. As soon as we walked into the twins room, Mom introduced me to the nurse who was so kind and helpful during the session. She helped move some chairs so we could get a cozy family shot, helped me find light switches to brighten the room a little and was just all around a great help. I asked Mom and Dad to pretend I wasn't in the room and just relax and interact with their precious baies and we would have some "posed" shots later. They did just that. And what a blessing to be behind the lens to capture such love and emotions."






Silas & Quinn's NICU Photo Session


Please enjoy our inspirational photos and consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Our programs include an online support group, the gift of photography, group events and meetings, information, and email support. Our mission is to connect parents and let them know they are not alone. We thank our supporters, volunteers, and donors for allowing us to touch the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories will help the parents to remember how strong they were in overcoming a crisis situation.


A note from Mom:
"So far our NICU stay has been wonderful. Both babies have exceeded our expectations and are doing well. Both were switched to high flow nasal cannulas at 2 weeks old and put on a diet of breast milk only. Unfortunately Silas caught an infection and had to go back on a ventilator and nutrients for a bit. After a blood transfusion and rest, I'm happy to report he's back on CPAP and will be off of his nutrients soon."


Volunteer Photographer:
Ken Smith - Denver, CO

A note from Ken:
"Silas and Quinn were both sleeping sound when I arrived. The nurse asked mom if she would like the feeding tubes removed off of the twins and mom said yes. This was the first time they had been off their feeding tubes and the first time they were next to each other outside of their incubators. It was an exciting time for mom and dad, as well as it was for me. Mom and dad did not want to be in any pictures, so we just photographed the twins together. Such tiny little lives at 34 weeks and just over 3 pounds each."