It's So True!

I was checking out my newsfeed on Facebook this morning, and ran across this status update from "It's A Preemie Thing":

Having a preemie means your venture into parenting will not be "normal". You will learn words that many people will never even hear (and thankfully so). You will learn patience you didn't know you were capable of, you will learn true fear and faith. You will learn more about your insurance than you ever cared to know. You will be able to change a diaper standing sideways at an isolette, while avoiding wires, tubes, and I.V.s. My husband still can't change a diaper unless he's on the side of our son. ;)

You learn that the journey doesn't stop once they leave the NICU. Your childs pediatrician will become like family because you feel that you are at their office as much as you are home. You will learn that all the books you read on "what to expect" didn't teach you anything that YOU needed to expect, and you are forced to learn as you go. 

Not all preemies meet goals like "termies" do, although some exceed them! Find out all that is available to you while in the NICU, such as Early Intervention, WIC, etc. If you're social worker isn't proactive...bug them or ask to speak to another one if available.

The most valuable lesson that I learned was just how precious life is, and how fragile it can be. 17 NOV is World Prematurity Day...wear purple!

For the record, neither John or I can change Judith's diaper unless we're on her side!