14 Apr 2008 07:32 AM AvaBaby's Micro Preemie Story/BlogI had never even read a blog until about a week ago when someone wrote a blog about me and my full circle experience with my granddaugher Ava who was born at 26 1/2 weeks gestation, weighing 1 lb 15 oz and was a mere 13 inches long. I had no idea any human being could be so tiny. People speak of preemies, but they were never talking about this.
The first time I laid eyes on her I felt as if I were going to sink into a black hole. She was the furthest thing from what you imagine a newborn to look like. She was still and lifeless in appearance. She was black and blue from head to toe. Tubes of all kinds going into her and coming out and she was under a thin sheet of clear plastic. Monitors beeping, monitors displaying her every breath as the machines gave her life sustaining oxygen. Her skin was so thin and fragile we were warned that it could be easily torn.
In such an artifcial world how on earth can you bond? Will she live? Do you let your heart go there? Drawing on every ounce of emotional strength we had left, we were determined to be there in whatever way we could for her, no matter what the outcome.
Every day, every hour, every minute drags by. You are constantly reminded that her condition can change in a heartbeat, so never let your spirts sore to high, so as not to fall to far.
Once she was progressing at about 3 weeks after her birth, dressing her was one little way that helped us to feel like we had some control in a situation so out of control. But have you any idea how hard it is to find clothes for a 14 inch preemie. You don't just drop by your nearest mall and pick up a few cute little things.
It was out of that experience and after the birth of my second preemie grandchild a little boy named Cash that I decided to do something for the parents of preemies who are already overwhelmed with the preemie, NICU experience.
I have opened an online store that specializes in clothes for infants, starting at about 1 lb and going up to about 6 lbs. My store is called Avababy's Preemie Wear, with my granddaughter Ava as our posterchild. There is a small gallery of her pictures and eventually I will be posting a link to her story in pictures.
With my most recent NICU experience I noticed that many hospitals now have WiFi right in the NICU. I saw mom's surfing the net right there. You can actually shop for your little ones while sitting right next to them. What a huge step!
I have scoured the world looking for the cutest things I can find. Things that closely resemble items you would find in a full term infants wardrobe. Precious little appliqued onesies. Beautiful little outfits for taking that first stroll around the NICU. You will find high quality soft cotton fabrics and adorable prints.
You will find several accessories that are specific to NICU preemies.
Please stop by if you get a chance. www.avababys.com Here is the blog that was written about me, http://www.tinytinyblog.com/blog/
Also, if you are interested over the next few months I will share our story with you. We learned so much that maybe you will find useful as you go through your own journey and the experience is touching to say the least. At the end, you will get to see our little Ava today.
Come back soon to read my first entry into our micro preemie journey. Send this to a friend
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