Parents and families who have had a child in the NICU or a loss have chronicled their day-to-day experiences to keep friends and family informed, for themselves to heal, to process complex emotions, to celebrate a child’s milestones and to help others who may be experiencing similar challenges.
The opinions and views expressed on these blogs belong to the authors and may not represent the views held by Hand to Hold. If you are a NICU parent, have a child with a special health care need or have had a loss and would like to add your blog to our list, please contact us.
The Alter Family Blog
Dave and Allie Alter share the remarkable journey of their daughter Jada, who was born at 23 weeks gestation in 2009. Her twin, Reese, passed away shortly after birth, while Jada spent 4.5 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and today is a healthy and happy little girl. Dave and Allie co-founded Hand to Hold in honor of Reese’s life and as a testament to Jada’s incredible fighting spirit.
The Delange Family
Chris and Machel Delange of Houston, Texas share the story of their two children, Isabella (born December 5, 2008 at 24 weeks, 1 day gestation) and Zachary (born August 20, 2010 at 36 weeks gestation), their precious adventures, and the blessings they experience they feel each day.
Bryce Moline
The Moline family describes the birth of their baby boy Bryce who was born four months early on June 7, 2009. These are the chronicles of living life with a micro preemie baby and all of the daily challenges they are facing. Bryce’s parents shared, “This blog helped us survive the scariest and most heart wrenching time of our lives. Now it will help us relish in the blessings of a new baby boy.”
Camdyn & Cade
Follow twins Camdyn and Cade, micropreemies born at 24 weeks gestation, and their big sister Brenna as they grow up together.
Casey Barnes
Casey Erin Barnes, daughter of Marty and Tim, was born April 23, 2006 just a few weeks early but just three days shy of being full term (37 weeks). Her mother had a uterine rupture, and circumstances surrounding Casey’s birth caused a traumatic brain injury (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy) and has led to many complications. The family blog chronicles Casey’s care and successes and provides extensive reviews of medical equipment that Casey has used.
Growing Up Austin
Growing Up Austin by Carol Ramsey shares personal anecdotes and thoughts about being a mom to three girls, her relationship with her husband and all while balancing a part-time job as a software engineer.
Heaston House
This family blog written by Miranda and Roger Heaston shares the story and day-to-day triumphs of their twin boys born at 28 weeks in October 2008.
His Middle Name
Megan Kresse Lubin began “His Middle Name” blog and FB community to provide gynecologic health information and to create a sense of hope and inspiration among parents of premature children and women who have experienced pregnancy complications. She shares a powerful story of her own personal experience with fibroids and the subsequent early birth of her son Sutton who was born at 26 weeks.
Just Another Day in Wileydise
Elizabeth Wiley blogs about life raising two boys, Trajan born August 2007 and Chiron who was born 10 weeks and a day early December 2010. Aurelia, Chiron’s twin, died of a cord accident at 24 weeks in November 2010. After 6 weeks on hospital bedrest before her twins were delivered, Chiron spent another 53 days in the NICU. And to keep things interesting, she’s pregnant with a second set of twins due early August 2012.
Kasey Mathews - Lessons In Love, Life And Motherhood
Kasey Mathews is the mother of two children, one born four months early and who weighed 1 pound 11 ounces at birth. She is the author of Preemie, A Memoir and maintains an active blog documenting day-to-day lessons on life, her children and motherhood.
The McMillan Clan
This family blog is written by Dawn McMillan about her family of five. Her youngest daughter Evelyn Grace was born on July 10, 2010, at 3 lbs. 15 oz. after mom spent 38 days on bedrest.
Mike & Ollie: 24-Weekers Who Beat the Odds
Susan Bearman shares journal entries she kept about her two children, now 20 years olds as of November 2011, who began life at 24-weeks and chronicles their five-month NICU stay that followed. These babies have come a long way.
A Story of Faith
Professional wedding planner and mom of 27-weeker Kaleb, Rosie Moore has authored a blog and a book , A Story of Faith, to chronicle her journey raising her son. In addition to a nursing background, Rosie is bilingual in Spanish.
Team Whitaker
Luke Timothy Whitaker, a 36-weeker, was born on September 18, 2009 to Scott and Kathryn, weighing just 3 lbs. 9 oz. He was classified as an IUGR baby (intrauterine growth retardation) and did not grow well in the womb. At nine-days-old, Luke contracted necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which quickly became surgical. He has additional challenges with his heart, brain, kidney, blood, hips/feet and ears. Their family blog chronicles Luke’s NICU stay, the challenges and joys of navigating therapy and doctor appointments and managing a busy household of seven!
Thumba-Lea – Our Miraculous Micro-preemie
Jessica Gorman, is the mommy to a beautiful preemie girl, Lea. After she gave birth to her daughter, she found solace in reading online blogs about other people’s experiences with preemie births. At a time when she felt so alone, to know that others had felt the same way she did, and to hear their encouraging stories helped her to cope. She hopes her blog also provides a lifeline to other preemie parents and invites other parents to share their blogs with her.
Today’s Preemie – Preemie Support & The NICU Life
Rebecca is the grandmother of 5, 2 of them were premature. The first, a little girl named Ava was born at 26.5 weeks, weighing just 1 lb 15 oz. Her second was a little boy named Cash who arrived 8 weeks early, weighing in at 5 lbs. Ava spent nearly 3 months in the NICU where due to circumstances, she was present nearly 24/7. Cash spent a month in the NICU. Her blog offers parents and families of preemies a place to go to gather information about the world that they have entered. She shares tips, experiences, what you can expect and hopefully encouragement whenever you need it.
Walking Down Romero Road
Laura Romero is a wife and mother to two beautiful children one of whom has Cerebral Palsy. This blog is about her journey towards acceptance and learning how to embrace the role she has been given as a mom to her daughter Brooklyn, born at 33 weeks, and her son Cameron. It is the story of the many blessings and challenges that have come as a result of a very unexpected life.
