NICU Grad Session: Elijah

Please enjoy Preemie Prints' families’ inspirational story & photos. Consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. We thank our supporters, Preemie Prints volunteers, and donors for allowing us to continue touching the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families. 

We pray these special memories from Preemie Prints will help families heal and remember how strong they were in overcoming their NICU journey together. 

A NICU STORY | THOUGHTS FROM ELIJAH'S FAMILY 

Although our NICU journey has not been a very long one, it is extremely difficult leaving the hospital knowing that you gave birth to a baby that is really fighting for their life. Every time I kissed him goodnight before I went home, my stomach was in knots and a sinking feeling overcame me. I found strength in my faith and the support from my husband and other family, but mostly I found strength in watching the NICU nurses care for my son. The way they spoke to him and how they would speak about him put my mind at ease. They took such great care of my son and my husband and I as well; with all of our inquiries and any issues we had.

 

Elijah's photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Brian C. Parks.

A Note From Brian:

Eli was a joy to shoot. Instantly at ease around me, he had no problem hamming it up for the camera (it was hard to keep him at arm's length just to get his photo!). A real champ all the way through the shoot, he took me on a tour of his living room, kitchen, patio, and backyard before we were through. I was exhausted! 

Then it was on to the smash cake! Mom and Dad had the foresight to use a giant red sheet under the cake, and Eli didn't waste any time poking around the icing. It took him awhile to discover there was cake buried under there, but when he did it was hard to keep him away, burying his whole face in the cake in lieu of using his fingers. Before long, he had the entire sheet (and himself) covered in yummy icing! : )

Photos belong to our volunteer photographers, families, and organization – please do not use for any purpose.

---

Preemie Prints is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sharing hope with NICU families through a variety of support programs. One of those programs is the gift of NICU photography and preemie photography. NICU families from across the US can request a no-charge photography session by a Preemie Prints volunteer. The family request from can be found on the right side of our website. These sessions are free of charge and for any NICU family, regardless of time spent in the NICU. The NICU photo shoot can take place inside the NICU or after baby is discharged and at home until their 1st birthday. Facing time in a NICU with a premature or critically ill baby is an extremely difficult time for families. Preemie Prints has a mission to share hope by letting families know they are not alone. Preemie Prints currently has over 100 volunteers nationwide. We are always looking for more volunteers to share in our mission! If you are interested, please email sherri@preemieprints.org and visit our website at www.preemieprints.org. To date Preemie Prints and our volunteers have gifted over 500 NICU family sessions. 

This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Bryan/College Station. 

We're thankful to the family for sharing their story & memories in support of other NICU families.