So friends,
I've had a heck of a day
and I'm ready to put it all behind me
and sleep like a baby...
Oh wait.
Only my baby will sleep like a baby,
I will be too busy preparing for tomorrow
and making sure that everyone else is taken care of,
not that I mind,
because I love taking care of my family...
It's just that
today,
I could have really used a break.
Just 5 minutes would have been amazing.
Let's see if I can carve that out for myself tomorrow.
Anywho, back to the post at hand.
Today's holidays are:
National Felt Hat Day
(Would have done this, but we ran out of felt... darn)
National Google.com Day
(Google is utilized multiple times a day in my house, no need for a day, we celebrate Google all the time... Thank goodness for Google.com!)
but the day nearest and dearest to my heart
and deserves more celebration than it gets is
National Neonatal Nurse Day
A little history on my family,
3 out of 4 of our children
are preemies.
They range from 27 to 34 weeks gestation
and having spent our fair share of months upon months
in the NICU with our babies, I can't stress enough
how amazing...
Completely and utterly
wonderful,
strong,
kind,
funny,
and
simply brilliant
neonatal nurses are.
As a first time mom
with a 27 weeker,
I was frightened...
No. I was terrified by what I was about to encounter,
but the nurse assigned to our daughter was nothing short of an angel.
She walked us through the 4 months (YES, FOUR MONTHS!) of our daughter's NICU stay
and prepared us for taking her home well in advance. She held me when I needed a shoulder
and my husband couldn't be there, she celebrated with me when my daughter not only met a milestone, but surpassed it, she lamented with me and picked me up during setbacks, and
she loved on my daughter, prayed over my daughter, and took the best care of my daughter
that I as her mother could ask for.
I wish I would have known about this day a long time ago,
because I would have been celebrating it for years.
Seriously, words cannot convey how thankful I am
for Neonatal Nurses, and these kids are thankful too.
 |
| Our first NICU rodeo with our daughter |
 |
| Second NICU stint with our son |
 |
| Third NICU stay |
 | |
| Our fourth child was born 40 weeks to the day, but still spent the first 3 days of her life in the NICU |
In honor of Neonatal Nurses Day
the kids wrote notes to be hand delivered to the NICU where they were born
and we also sent edible arrangements because well...
who doesn't like chocolate covered fruit when you're working overnight
taking care of small and mighty warriors
fighting for their lives.
Do you know of any neonatal nurses?
If so, thank them.
They do amazing things.
Tomorrow's Holidays
Stepfamily Day
Guacamole Day
(Completely obsessed with Guac, so looking forward to this day!)
Yes Neonatal nurses and doctors are amazing people! It is a profession that is definitely underappreciated!
ReplyDeleteNeonatal nurses are rockstars. Both of my boys were born on time, but it takes someone special to work with preemies.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine what it takes to be a neonatal nurse! And I love that you had your kids write them letters!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic day to celebrate. I can't imagine how stressful that was.
ReplyDeleteI don't know any neonatal nurses, but it has got to be a special person to be one. So happy for you they you had them in your time of need.
ReplyDeleteNeonatal nurses are amazing people! My friend had a baby born a few weeks too soon, and I know she was so grateful for the nurses in the NICU.
ReplyDeleteNeonatal nurses are awesome my son had an amazing one as well. It takes a special person to give this kind of care.
ReplyDeleteNeonatal nurses are my heros! My best friends baby was born a few weeks early and the staff was devoted as ever, working hard and never thinking about themselves. It made all the difference for her, being a first time mum and feeling so helpless. This is a great day to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteI've never had experience with a Neonatal nurse, but I still think that they are amazing for all that they do for not only baby, but the whole family as well.
ReplyDeleteLove that you took the time and thought to thank and send specials to the neo nurses. My first child was in the neo unit for 2 weeks after birth and they are amazing people. In addition, the volunteers that provide special treats to the families are awesome as well! We would walk into our daughter's section and she would have a crochet hat on that was made special by a volunteer! So many wonderful people out there that do not get enough credit in this world,,,, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteSuch special people neonatal nurses, really cool that they have their own national day. x
ReplyDeleteThey are blessings for sure, both your babies and the nurses. I love that there's a day to appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweetie! A happy family and a healthy to boot is important.
ReplyDeleteNeonatal nurses are so special, it certainly takes a special person to work in that field. I love that there is a day dedicated to appreciating them.
ReplyDeleteAwww, I love a day dedicated to any nurse but NICU nurses are a special breed.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you had a great nurse. I imagine that could make ALL of the difference in the world at times, and you want someone who genuinely cares being the one that looks after your baby when it's not you.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are so precious. I'm so glad you had reliable health care professionals.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Those nurses are heaven sent. We had a month in the NICU with our daughter and it takes a special person to be one of those nurses or any nurse for that matter. Amber N
ReplyDeleteIt is so great that your children had such loving care and that they are all well and healthy now because of it. You and you husband looked so young when you had your first. You must have been so scared at the time.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great day to celebrate! My son was in the NICU for 13 days after he was born at 32 weeks. Those nurses work incredibly hard. It takes a special person to be a NICU nurse.
ReplyDeleteNeonatal nurses are so important. They are the lifeline in many ways.
ReplyDeleteI always try to honor the neonatal nurses. I was born just over 3 months early and spent the first 6 months of my life in the hospital. Those nurses saved me more than once.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. My son was in the NICU as well and it is what started me on my journey to become a nurse. In only 2 more semesters I will be an RN I finished my round in labor and delivery last semester it was amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post showing the importantance of what nurses in the NICU do. Glad your babies had the care of the NICU so they can come home to you.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was born at 34 weeks but only spent 5 days in the hospital. I almost had her at around 26 weeks as well and was placed on bed rest but she still managed to come early. I'm totally with you on those NICU nurses.
ReplyDeleteNeonatal nurses are amazing. I Have a friend who was a neonatal nurse and she loved her job.
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