I offered a mini Valentines Day session this year for just little cuties who were born early. These kids are nothing short of amazing. When our little ones are born early it’s so hard to picture what the future will look like, and hopefully seeing these preemies as they are now will help some parents of newborn little ones rest a little easier that things will be ok. Being a parent of a preemie is crazy, the hospital stay in a roller coaster of emotions and we just can’t wait to have our babies home but once they are home reality sets in and for some parents (most parents) it’s even harder to deal with than being in the hospital.
All those days going to see your baby in the NICU you imagine how awesome it is going to be to have them home, you are not really prepared for how hard it is. The number of Dr’s appts you need to go to is absolutely crazy, it’s a full time job for some for some, it was for me. The evaluations, the appts for PT, OT, medicines, reflux, apnea, monitors, keeping non understanding people away from your baby until you feel it is safe for them to come in contact with others. And then there is the emotional side of it. It’s hard. You’re physically and emotionally tired. You feel guilty that you are not as happy as you thought you would be all those days dreaming in the NICU of being home. Sometimes, I even longed to be back in the peaceful atmosphere of the NICU where the babies seem to just sleep and eat and grow….that is so not how it is when you get home. For me it felt like my son stopped eating, sleeping and growing as soon as he got home. I think I knew deep down how hard this was going to be because when Henry’s Dr actually called to tell us he could come home the next day I asked for one more day….how crazy is that??? After a 100+ days in the hospital I asked to keep him another day. I laugh now, but I was terrified. He was coming home on oxygen because he was still having difficulty breathing and I was freaking terrified.
Hopefully the photos of these preemies will show new preemie parents that they do grow, they will eat, they will sleep, they will be the happy healthy children you dreamed of.
Please share with any parents you might know that might need a glimpse into their preemies future.
Christina says
They are all beautiful little miracles!! great work!
Frayda says
This is beautiful! I love the one of your little boy – precious!
Sara says
Carli you did a fantastic jobs capturing the happiness of all these cuties!!
Alicia says
Beautiful processing on these! And ALL of those sweet babies are absolutely adorable! Love them.
Nina says
Well said Carli! It is amazing how for our “special” babies have come. Thank you for doing this. The pictures are beautiful, great job!
Ellen says
What a wonderful idea! It is so great to see how healthy and happy they are now!
Staci says
So beautiful–your words and your images. I can hardly begin to imagine the pain and excitement and love that must all be mixed together with a preemie.
rachael says
amazing little miracles, nice j ob on the images!
Natalia says
Beautiful! First one is so creative!
Dannielle says
These are so precious! Beautiful job and great idea! “Fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Erin says
What a great way to celebrate amazing kiddos!!
marta says
My fave is the cars heart! Such a great idea too. My son was 5 weeks premature and, well, you wouldn’t think so to see him now!
Robin says
What beautiful children and amazing to see how these early babies are growing into strong kids!
Whitney says
Gorgeous photos! And the babies are pretty cute too! 🙂
Pam Douglas says
These are awesome! and how precious are they all? Miracles for sure!
Kim Kravitz says
How precious are they! Great set of images!
vanessa says
What a sweet idea!
Jennifer says
What a fun session idea! Love it!
Kirsty says
I love this idea, what a great way to celebrate those sweet little miracles!
Jaimie says
What a great way to celebrate how much these little ones have overcome!
Rena Christine says
just lovely 🙂
Jess says
These are so beautiful! Love the cars one!
amy says
love these– and love that you did all preemies! i know many friends whose hearts would have been calmed by seeing this post when battling the threat of extremely premature labor.
Lisa says
Love all these pictures!