Little Emiliya's NICU Grad 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:
"Our beautiful daughter was born at 32 weeks gestation due to preeclampsia. She was 3 pounds 7 ounces at birth and was delivered via c-section. She was breathing on her own and didn't have any major complications in the NICU, where she resided for the next 3 weeks."

Volunteer Photographer:

Larry Field - College Station, TX

A note from Larry:

"When I first spoke with Emiliya's mom in August, we decided to wait until Emiliya was sitting on her own before doing her NICU Grad photo session, and I'm SO glad we did!  Emiliya was just adorable sitting there, smiling and laughing at her mom and dad as the funny camera guy jumped around in front of her.  We went to a local park for the shoot and the weather was perfect.  Emiliya was so interested in, and looking at, everything going on around her at the park, her mom and dad and I really did look like circus performers trying to get her attention!  Emiliya may have been born at 32 weeks, but now she is a happy, bouncing 8 month old and as you can see, her mom and dad are some pretty proud parents!"

This One's For The Girls: Win A Preemie Awareness or NICU Grad Bow!

Help us spread the word about our big annual fundraising event & win an exclusive prematurity awareness bow or a NICU Graduate bow! 
This year we’re hosting Little Monsters 5K For A Cause! You can get involved & help us to make this event a success in the following ways>>>

1. Register to run or walk (we have a virtual 5K option & “I support the cause” option for those who are outside of the race area or not walking/running) comment below this post that you registered! [3 entries for a registration]

2. Help us spread the word - on facebook (join and share our facebook event) and share the "I want to help spread the word about Little Monsters 5K For A Cause" event post pinned to the top of the page [1 entry for each event share - max 5 entries] comment below the post on FB that you shared the event!

>>> FB Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/587943571226372/

2. Donate a prize. Comment below this post and contact us! [3 entries] Contact us here

4. Share this post - VIA TWITTER, FB, EMAIL, G+ [1 entry for each share - max 5 entries] comment below this post the ways you shared!

We'll use rafflecopter for the following random drawings: We will post the winners on the website and this blog, so check back to see if you won!!

DRAWING #1 - PREEMIE AWARENESS BOW - OCTOBER 1ST

DRAWING #2 - NICU GRADUATE FIGHT GIRL BOW #1 - OCTOBER 5TH

DRAWING #3 - NICU GRADUATE SUPER GIRL BOW #2 - OCTOBER 10TH FINAL DRAWING 

Pictures & descriptions of bows:

 
Prematurity awareness bow - this bow features an exclusive owl print prematurity ribbon with a red and white stitched grosgrain ribbon background. The bow is accented with a burst of blue, pink, and purple satin ribbons; the colors of prematurity awareness, as well as purple nylon loopy bow to finish this bow off. The center features a prematurity awareness bottlecap image with two little butterfly rhinestone finding accents.

 

NICU Graduate bow #1 - features a striped exclusive NICU Grauate grosgrain ribbon, Tiny Fingers & Toes in Pink and Blue on Satin ribbon, multi-colored footprint ribbon, blue and pink rhinestones on white and blue grosgrain ribbons, and "I fight like a girl" custom bottle cap center with exclusive prematurity awareness ribbon and NICU graduate ribbon.

 

 

NICU Grad Super Girl Bow #2 - features a striped NICU Grauate exclusive grosgrain ribbon, gold and purple glitter tulle accent with blue and white stitched grosgrain ribbon finishes completes the main portion of this bow. The Super Girl bottle cap image center completes this adorable bow.

UNLESS YOU ARE THE WINNER OF A PREVIOUS DRAWING ALL OF YOUR ENTRIES WILL BE RE-ENTERED FOR THE NEXT DRAWING.

Check Back Soon For Our BOY Giveaway!!!! :) 

1st NICU H.O.P.E. Meeting at Scott & White in College Station

Last night we held our 1st NICU H.O.P.E. meeting at our new location - Scott & White Hospital in College Station. We wanted to share a few pictures and thank our volunteers who attended and Chef Tai for donating the food for our meeting. We appreciate the support as do the families who attend. We're looking forward to supporting current NICU families in the Brazos Valley and past NICU families who continue to attend for support and to connect with current NICU families. At our new location, we are steps from the NICU which makes it easier for current families to attend. Our meeting schedule can be found here. We hope to see you at the next meeting!

Welcome New Photography Volunteer, Nikki!

Please help us give a warm welcome to our newest volunteer photographer, Nikki! Nikki will be helping give the gift of photography to preemie and NICU families in Northwest Arkansas. This gift of preemie photography will be available for the following service areas in Arkansas. We're so excited to welcome her!!

Nikki Toth Photography
www.nikkitothphotography.com

nikki-b@mindspring.com

Service Area: Northwest  Arkansas

Service Hospitals: Washington Regional Med, Willow Creek Women's Center, Mercy Hospital

About Nikki:

"I am a mama of three and a photographer. My second child was a micro-preemie, born 14 weeks early, weighing 1lb 13ozs. I have a heart for supporting NICU parents and look forward to providing them with beautiful family pictures."

NICU Tips

NICU Tips

• Ask questions and ask for the help you need. What are the resources available to you at the hospital?
• Ask how you can be involved in the care of your baby(s). When and how long can you hold them? May you help change their diapers, give them a bath, etc.
• Call in the help early- Ask people to help by bringing you healthy meals, housecleaning, errands, driving you or your milk to the hospital, staying with siblings while you visit the hospital, etc.
• Does the hospital have a family overnight room? Or a deal with a local hotel for discounts?
• Seek support. See resource list for specialized support groups.
• Take a break. If you need a day off to rest or go do something fun- do it! Your baby(s) needs
•  healthy parents.
• Take turns. Share the job of visiting the NICU with your partner (or a grandma if allowed).
• Kangaroo care. Read the benefits below.
• Breastfeeding and pumping breast milk. Get advice from a Lactation Consultant (usually covered by insurance if you or baby are still checked in to the hospital) Read the benefits below.
• Share the way you feel with anyone who will listen without judgment. Attend a Preemie Prints support group or other local NICU support group. Write how you feel down. Take pictures. All emotions are ok and normal!
• Remember that many emotions have to do with the adjustment of your hormones!
• If you feel a lot depression, anxiety, or panic- see resources for postpartum mood disorders and support. You are not alone!

Shorten the NICU Stay
The benefits of kangaroo care-Skin to skin contact with a caring adult.

• Babies grow faster and gain weight quicker.
• Babies regulate their temperature, breathing and heart rate more efficiently.
• It reduces stress hormones and increases anti-stress hormones released by baby(s).
• When mom does the kangaroo care it increases mother’s milk supply.
• When mom does the kangaroo care babies learn to breastfeed earlier with less problems.
• Some babies may be too fragile to be held at first. Ask if you can gently place your hand on baby’s head or chest instead.

The benefits of breastfeeding or giving baby(s) expressed breast milk

• Strengthens baby’s immune system. Baby receives moms priceless immunoglobins reducing
• the risk of infection and increasing the strength of baby’s intestines.
• You make milk specifically for a preterm baby’s needs- the calorie and fat intake are higher than if baby were born full term.
• Babies grow faster and gain weight quicker.
• Babies leave the NICU on average two weeks earlier!
• Babies have higher IQ’s.
• Plus all the benefits of Kangaroo Care

Isabelle's Monster Crew 5K Team

Isabelle's Monster Crew

Little Monsters 5K Team

Isabelle in the NICU

 

Isabelle under the bili lights

Isabelle's Preemie Prints NICU Grad Photo

Isabelle's Monster Crew

1 year Family Photo

Isabelle (Isa) is our first born and a BIG adventure from the get go. Isa was born a month early with fluid in her lungs. She spent about a week in St. Joseph's Regional Health Center in Bryan. Isa has a feeding tube, oxygen, and spent an extra few day under the bilirubin light to get her as strong as can be! Although it was a short stay, we as new parents learned so much from our little bundle of joy! We are participating in running/walking in the race to celebrate the blessing God has given us, Isa's continued strong health, and to support all the other preemie, NICU, and Angel families!

General Information

Please join our team by by either walking or running with us on the 26th of October in College Station Tx for The Little Monster's 5K For A Cause or by making a donation below. Type in any amount you wish to donate. All donations will help to support the efforts and mission of Preemie Prints - which is to offer support to NICU, preemie, and angel (those experiencing an infant/pregnancy loss) families. 

We have set a team goal to raise $500 dollars to help in supporting NICU 

families in the coming year. 

Join Isabelle's Monster Crew to run or walk for preemie, NICU, & angel families and/or make a donation below by typing in any amount. No amount is too small. Preemie Prints needs your help!

TEAM MEMBERS

Cody, Erika, & Isabelle Pinner
Yolanda Guerra
Jamie Pejo
Tre Pejo
Cody Pinner
Elizabeth Freeman
Marceli Freeman

I want to support Isabelle's Monster Crew

by making a donation today! Type in any amount below.

Donate


 
Free thermometers
to track your cheerleader fundraising efforts

Sweet Sam'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:

"Sam spent two weeks in the NICU with temperature issues and lost 13% of his body weight going down to only 3 pounds 12 ounces. He had jaundice and spent a week on a feeding tube. I never missed a feeding; I drove to the NICU every 3 hours for the entire two weeks so I could bond with him. He is now inseparable from me. We are blessed he did so well with being born so early."

Volunteer Photographer:

Lauren Melissari - College Station

A note from Lauren:

"Handsome Mr. Sam and his sweet family were wonderful to work with. Sam is a NICU graduate that is now 12 weeks old and is a big strong boy! He was a joy to work with and has the cutest little features! I am honored to have been given this opportunity to photograph him after his NICU journey!"