by Hand to Hold Staff | Oct 8, 2018 | Life after the NICU
by Jackson Kelley I felt awkward, unsure and hot standing in the Texas afternoon sun by the first base dugout. The coach seemed nice as he gave me a firm handshake and a reassuring smile, but I knew this would be unlike any baseball season I had ever experienced. The...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Oct 4, 2018 | Life after the NICU
I would venture to guess that every mother has some level of germ-awareness during flu and RSV season. I know with my firstborn, full-term baby I did. I could spot a germy kid in her daycare class and hear the shopper coughing two aisles over in the grocery store. I...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Aug 30, 2018 | Life after the NICU, Nutrition
Sometimes when you’re trying to get your former micropreemie to advance with a life skill, it pays to try something weird. For example, putting banana in your ear. I brought his favorite stuffed toy, Blue Bear, to the table and made him say, “I’m going to chew banana...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Aug 23, 2018 | Life after the NICU, NICU Life, Nutrition
I am all for breastfeeding. I am amazed by the life-saving power of breast milk, that I have witnessed first hand. I know that breast milk is both nutrition and medicine especially for the tiniest of babies. I understand why it is referred to as liquid gold. And yet...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Aug 13, 2018 | Life after the NICU
My son is the inspiration behind our switch from air travel to road trips. At first I dreaded the idea of spending 18 plus hours trapped in the car with my kids. But now we’ve found our jam, and I actually look forward to our road trips. We have lots of memories...
by Hand to Hold Staff | Aug 9, 2018 | Life after the NICU
“Mama, are the cupcakes ready?” my former 29-weeker, now 5-year-old son, asks for what must be the thousandth time in the past 5 minutes of the 20-25 minutes it takes for these darn cupcakes to bake. I try so hard to not get annoyed. Because first, let’s be honest, I...
