Our Time in the NICU

SO. The whole reason I wanted to create this blog was to share my experience as a preemie mommy. I will absolutely post about all things baby, but definitely branch off into beauty, food, DIY, etc. Bear with me as I'm getting my feet wet and figuring everything out...I'm new to the world of blogging!

Anyways...about our NICU stay. Layla was in the NICU for a total of 76 days, which felt like a LIFETIME! I think out of 76 days, I was unable to visit her for 3 of them. We live 30 minutes from hospital, so going back and forth every single day was exhausting, but being apart from her was even worse.


She was only intubated for one day, on the CPAP for 3 days, and then on nasal cannula for the next few weeks. I truly believe the steroid shots I received for her changed her life.

Layla was diagnosed with grade 1 and 2 brain bleeds, but they cleared up on their own with no side effects or damage at all. She had a hard time tolerating her feeds, but she eventually got the hang of it! I think the scariest thing that happened was when she tested positive for a staph infection from a PICC line. To a tiny little baby that barely weighs 2 pounds, an infection can be lethal. So, she was once again pulled off her feeds and pumped with antibiotics.


Through this whole traumatizing ordeal, my sweet little baby always had smiles for her daddy and I. Since she was born, she's smiled. And it has been the sweetest thing to witness.

Once the humidity was turned off on her isolette, it was just a matter of time before she could start wearing all the adorably tiny preemie clothes we had received.

The first time I saw her in clothes, I cried. It was becoming more real everyday that she was mine and she was getting stronger and healthier, and soon I would get to take her home. She looked so adorable! Like a fuzzy little bear!


Soon after, she was moved to the PCU (Progressive Care Unit) and taken off of her nasal cannula. Once her G-tube came out and she was feeding from a bottle, it was like seeing her for the first time. No tape, no tubes...nothing to obstruct my view of her. I still stare at her all the time and wonder how she got to be so gorgeous. The last step was moving her to her open crib. It was so exciting and the look on her face was priceless. I'm sure she was wondering what the hell was going on. haha

I thank God every single day for our uneventful time spent in the NICU. When you see so many other parents that lose their babies or see other babies having to fight so hard, it puts a perspective on things. I never planned for things to go this way. Who does? But I have learned so much about my daughter, about Andrew, and about myself.


My daughter is a fighter. She is the strongest, most courageous person I know.