Landry L. ~ Super Hero Alias: L3

Age: 19 months
Weight at Birth: 3 pounds 1 ounce
Weeks Gestation: 29 weeks
Time in the NICU: 46 days

Diagnosis, complications, surgeries?
Minor eyes issues but not surgeries. He was on CPAP for 1 day and regular oxygen for 2 days and after that he was breathing all on his own. Very healthy little boy for being so early!

Why should your child be recognized as “Preemie of the Year”?

Landry was born at 29 weeks and was on a CPAP (if that’s how you say that) for one day and regular oxygen for 2 days and after that he was breathing on his own. He only needed to grow and get strong.

My son is a hero in our family. All preemies have to go through so much when they are in the hospital. They are stuck with endless amounts of needles, moved and touched every 3 hours, forced to eat when they don’t want to (even though they need it). Most people don’t have to go through what a preemie has to go through in their lifetime.

My son was fairly large for being born at 29 weeks and has been a fighter from day one! We stayed in the NICU for 44 days and we were 2 hours away from home and family. We came home and he weighted 5 lbs 10 oz and has continued to grow ever since then. When we went for our 15 month checkup, he was in the 75th percentile in height and weight. AMAZING! We went back to OU Medical Center when he was 12 months old for an evaluation on his development. He scored at or above in many categories. AMAZING! Like I said Landry has been a fighter from the day he was born. He hasn’t skipped a beat and has caught up to his due date.

I know there are many preemies that are born and have had to struggle every day and are way behind developmentally and size. I feel that Landry should be “Preemie of the Year” for the simple fact he can be hope and an example for all parents and preemies that you can be a preemie but you can catch up and be just as normal as a full term baby.

Using three or more typical characteristics of a Super Hero, please describe your child.

Strong, courageous, heroic, idol

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Be patient and open minded! Cherish every moment, they are only little once.