November 17th is World Prematurity Awareness Day. I never thought that World Prematurity Awareness Day would be something that would become so close to my heart until Remembrance Day of 2008. Our baby was due February 3rd, 2009, but she cannon-balled her way into this world (and delivered herself without any doctors in the room) on November 11th, 2008. Sometimes … [Read more...]
10 Things NICU Parents Go Through That Will Make You Cry #NoBabyUnhugged
I can tell you from experience that there are many things NICU parents go through that will make you cry. September is NICU Awareness Month and in an effort to support other NICU families, I hoped to share my story with you and offer a NICU Care Package that I’ve personally curated with Huggies to help make a family’s time in the NICU a little bit easier. As a mom of … [Read more...]
World Prematurity Day: No Baby Unhugged
No Baby Unhugged. November 17th is World Prematurity Day, a day intended to raise awareness of the high rates of premature births worldwide. When babies arrive early they’re sensitive, vulnerable and in need of care around the clock. And while medicine and machines are an important part of their treatment, hospitals are now discovering human touch and hugs are also a … [Read more...]
Time Flies! Our Little Preemie is EIGHT Years Old!
I never fully understood what people meant when they told me "Enjoy them while they're young", "They're only little once", and "Time flies!" Then I had a child and all of a sudden, I knew what others meant, and boy, were they right. Time flies! It's hard to believe that this time eight years ago, I was on strict hospital bed rest at Mount Sinai Hospital. It all seems like … [Read more...]
November 17th is World Prematurity Awareness Day
Each year around this time of the month, I become very sensitive and reflective. Every day (and not just on World Prematurity Awareness Day) I count my blessings knowing that we have a very happy and for the most part, healthy child. This was not always the reality though. Little One was born on November 11th, 2008. She was supposed to be due in February of 2009. She … [Read more...]
Going from #SagToSwag with Pampers Cruisers
I would be lying if I said I haven't been entertaining the thought of having another baby. The thought has entered my mind, and as the birth announcements from several friends have been flooding my Facebook and inbox, I have been feeling the want for another baby more and more. Within just the past two weeks, my friend and his husband announced the birth of their twins and … [Read more...]
On Being a Parent
I lay in bed watching her drift into slumber. Her tiny hand clutching onto my fingers, she whispered, "Mama, stay with me". I lingered for a bit, not wanting to get out of bed. I was content to lay beside my little girl and just soak in the moment. You know that moment right before your child falls asleep? It's that moment when you want to be the last person they see … [Read more...]
Guess How Much I Love You!
When Little One was first born, I spent entire days (well into the evenings) in the NICU at Mount Sinai Hospital. I'm not going to lie. Having a preemie in the NICU was a roller coaster of emotions and spending long days and nights by her side, it was physically and emotionally draining. To get a bit of a break, I'd find myself wandering down to the main floor and getting a … [Read more...]
Wordless Wednesday ~ What is Love?
What is love? From the very beginning, Little One has had a very strong bond with her Grampy. Grampy's first visit with Little One in the NICU when she was a few days old did not last too long. In fact, it only lasted a few minutes. Admittedly, I was upset. Grampy drove six hours from the Island to Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto with Hubby, and only stayed a few … [Read more...]
Today You Are Six
Dear Little One, Today you are six. It s hard to believe that this time six years ago, you entered our lives. It was both the happiest and scariest day of my life. You were supposed to arrive in February, but surprised us by arriving in November! I would have loved it if you stayed put for twelve more weeks! Thus began our journey as parents and a very long seventy … [Read more...]
November 17th ~ World Prematurity Day
World Prematurity Day is November 17th! Every November it hits me. Though the years have flown by and Little One is relatively healthy, this time of the year always brings back a flood of memories. There was a time when life was pretty scary for us. I honestly don't know how we survived those early days to Little One's rough start in life. Though I have tried to … [Read more...]
Parents of Preemies Day
All children are blessings, but when you're a parent of a preemie, you really appreciate life and your kids because of the incredible journey to have them. Many parents are proud of their children's milestones. I remember just being proud that Little One survived. I was proud that she struggled so hard to live. Here she is, five years later. She is a happy, funny, … [Read more...]
Babies, Babies, Babies! Did Somebody Say ‘Baby’?
It seems that babies are the topic of many conversations with friends and family these days. I am super excited that not one, but TWO of my cousins and their wives are expecting babies in 2014! I'm also thrilled that my friends at the Auberge Inn on Manitoulin are also expecting their first baby soon too! All this talk of babies makes me think of our early days with Little … [Read more...]
World Prematurity Day #preemie #NICU
It's hard to believe that five years have flown by so quickly. Every November is bitter sweet for me. November signals not only Remembrance Day and the day Little One was born, but also World Prematurity Day. I remember being flown by air ambulance from Manitoulin Island to Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital. The whole experience was dizzying and disorienting. Then came the … [Read more...]
Why is “5” so hard?
This day has been creeping up on me and the past few weeks I've been feeling lots of mixed emotions. Of course, I'm ecstatic that Little One has lived to see many milestones and that she continues to thrive, learn, and experience many amazing things. I'm over the moon that she's so inquisitive, creative, witty, and FUNNY. She definitely has a mind of her own. She's … [Read more...]