Asher's NICU Grad Session

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. 

Asher and his family visited one of our photographers, Jennifer Sternal-Johnson of Blackbird Photography, last November. He was born at 34 weeks, and his siblings Jason and Julia were also born prematurely.

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 form 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 1000 NICU family sessions. 

This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Rochester NY.

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

Alex and Eddie's NICU Grad Session

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 | ALEX AND EDDIE

Alex and Eddie's photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Jennifer Sternal-Johnson.

https://www.facebook.com/blackbirdfamilyphotography

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 form 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 1000 NICU family sessions.

This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Rochester NY.

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

Lincoln and Tenleigh's NICU Session

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 LINCOLN AND TENLEIGH'S FAMILY

We were in the NICU for 41 days. It was a long road but we are happy to finally be home!

Lincoln and Tenleigh's photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Jennifer Sternal-Johnson.

https://www.facebook.com/blackbirdfamilyphotography

A Note From Jen:

I had a lovely visit to the NICU to meet Lincoln and Tenleigh, twins who were born at 32 weeks. So glad that they are home with their family now!

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 form 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 1000 NICU family sessions.

This was a Preemie Prints NICU photography session that took place near Rochester NY.

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

Taylor's NICU Grad Session

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 TAYLOR'S FAMILY

"Taylor was admitted to the NICU at birth due to being premature. My body developed preeclampsia and caused me to go into pre-term labor. Taylor was born at 3lbs 11oz. She had to be fed by NG tube and also had apnea episodes. After a (long to me, short to some) 18 day stay we were finally sent home.No matter how short or long the stay is in the NICU, it's a trying time on any parent. Leaving the hospital without your baby is a feeling no one can describe. You feel lost, helpless and alone. Lean on other people to help you get through it. We were in the NICU for 18 days. To some that's short, but to me it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It became a part of life. I would wake early before anyone else was up, shower quickly, rush around to head up to the hospital. I would be able to stay for 4-6 hours before my husband had to leave for work and then come home to be with our other children. Some nights I would cry myself to sleep, because I wanted my baby next to me. Other nights I knew she was where she needed to be at that time. It was a roller coaster ride. When you have strong people to ride that roller coaster with you, you don't feel so alone. My advice, don't take one day at a time, not even an hour. Take it minute by minute. Don't get discouraged when there are set backs. Remember to lean on other people and to take care of you so you can take care of your baby."  

Taylor's photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Jennifer Sternal-Johnson.

https://www.facebook.com/blackbirdfamilyphotography

A Note From Jen:

"Taylor was born at 34 weeks when her mom developed pre-eclampsia, but now at 11 months is doing well! She was so cheerful and her two big sisters just adore her!"

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 form 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 Rochester NY.

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

William and Nikola's NICU Grad Session

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 WILLIAM AND NIKOLA'S FAMILY

"I was admitted into the hospital just north of 34 weeks, with what I thought was labor pains. Having had one previous preterm scare no chances were to be taken. So we drove to RGH at 10:30 pm only to arrive and most of my symptoms abated. They still took urine, hooked me to monitors to check on the boys, and watched me for a bit. Shortly thereafter we were told I was showing the signs of pre-eclampsia. I was admitted after that. Based on the circumstances - gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia causing my blood pressure to continuously rise, the OB's on staff and our own OB who was scheduled off had a discussion and determined that all signs indicated the boys needed to come out. They scheduled surgery for the following day. At 1:17 and 1:19, my sons came into this world quietly, and then screaming, to life. At 5lbs 8oz and 5lbs 4oz, they were healthy sized boys, but went straight to the NICU. I was put into recovery and had some serious spikes in blood pressure, and couldn't meet the boys until 10:30pm! After that, as often as I was able, I was by their isolates. They had some trouble regulating their body temperature for the first week and a half. William ended up getting an NG tube due to not finishing his bottles. Nikola had some struggles with his bilirubin, but they were very strong little guys! After 11 and 12 days in the NICU they were able to come home with their father and me. We've been so lucky ever since!"

William and Nikola's photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Jennifer Sternal-Johnson.

https://www.facebook.com/blackbirdfamilyphotography

A Note From Jen:

"William and Nikola (or, as mom and dad call them: IV and Kola) were born at 34 weeks and spent 11 and 12 days in the NICU. They are about to turn 1 year old, and they had the best curls and smiles ever--super sweet! AND, they're going to be big brothers soon!"

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 form 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 1000 NICU family sessions.

This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Rochester NY.

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

SJ -- NICU Grad Session

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 SJ'S FAMILY

Our son was born at 34 weeks at Unity Hospital in Greece, NY. My water broke unexpectedly as my pregnancy was going perfectly normal. When he was born he did great and did not need any support breathing. He was in the nursery during his stay at Unity and they kept a close eye on him. The day we were supposed to be discharged ( we were going to leave in a couple hours after his car seat test) he had an apneic event and at that point we knew we would be staying longer. He ended up needing to be intubated and had to be transferred to the NICU at Strong Memorial Hospital. My husband and I were devastated, we had no idea what to expect. All we could do was cry. We met the ambulance at the hospital and were able to see him once they got him situated in his room. We walked into the room and my husband and I lost it, we just started bawling. He was hooked up to the ventilator and so much more. At this point the doctors told us that they didn't know what was going on but were going to run a lot of tests so it would just be a waiting game. It was so hard to see our son like this, we just felt so helpless and had no idea what to expect. We just talked to him and told him we loved him and knew he was a fighter and get through this. Several doctors came in and out and did tests and were telling us worse case scenario which was so hard for us. The first doctor told us he thought it may be brain damage and that was the hardest thing for us to hear, another doctor told us a seizure disorder, and another a metabolic disorder and many other things. We just tried to take it one day at a time and stay positive. All of the tests ended up coming back negative and they said he just needed more time to develop. They weaned him off of the ventilator, then he was on a nasal cannula and then eventually on room air. We were there for 11 days and the first 4 were the most stressful days of our lives. We literally felt like the world was ending and felt so helpless as we looked at him hooked up to everything. To other parents with babies in the NICU: try and take it one day at a time, it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel in the beginning but trust the nursing staff and things get a bit "easier" with each passing day. 

SJ's photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Jennifer Sternal-Johnson.

https://www.facebook.com/blackbirdfamilyphotography

A Note From Jen:

SJ was a little uncertain about the whole photography situation, but once he fell asleep, we got some great photos. Adorable little dude!

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 Rochester NY.

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

Adelyn and Emma: NICU Grads!

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 ADELYN AND EMMA'S FAMILY

Our miracle babies were taken by emergency c section due to preeclampsia at 34 weeks. They were in the NICU for 12 days and were very healthy considering they were 6 weeks early. They were 4'14 and 5'2 lbs. Since they had been monitoring me they did give me some steroids to help with their lungs and I think it really helped because they didn't need breathing tubes. Their biggest difficulties were learning how to eat from a bottle and maintaining their temperature. They were in isolettes for most of their stay and we had to keep checking their temps for awhile after coming home. Now they are 6 months old(4 1/2 corrected) and are hitting all of their milestones! We consider ourselves extremely lucky and blessed:-)Remember that they are where they need to be right now and they are getting the care that they need. the hospital environment is extremely exhausting and overwhelming so make sure you take some time away and breaks to process and recover. It was extremely emotional the first time I left the hospital and went home without my babies but it was exactly what I needed to come back to them stronger and rested. Take help when offered! Lean on your support system...they are there for you. Last but not least don't feel bad denying visitors. I remember being completely overwhelmed with family wanting to see the babies and hold them but what they don't understand is that you don't even get to hold them for that long or often. We had days where we just said no visitors at all and looking back I wish we had done that more. You will get through this!!!

Adelyn and Emma's photo session was taken and donated by Preemie Prints volunteer photographer, Jennifer Sternal-Johnson.

https://www.facebook.com/blackbirdfamilyphotography

A Note From Jen:

34 week rainbow babies--now almost 6 months old! They were so good during our session and "posed" beautifully. Sweet girls!

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 Rochester NY.

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