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Tales of The Anti-Preemie

Following Sam as he grows and his impact on our family

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You Have Come A Long Way Baby

September 15, 2013 by melragent 2 Comments

Then you were only 1 lbs 12 ozs.
Sam the Anti-Preemie At Brith
Now you are 31 lbs.
Sam The Anti-Preemie Now

Then your heart had a leaky valve.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, a tiny clip has done its job and your heart is perfect – and you are learning the art of shaving.
Sam the Anti-Preemie: Now

Then you needed a machine to help you breathe.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, your lungs can carry you through a rousing rendition of “Mercedes Benz”.

Then you needed an isolette to keep your body temp normal.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you can burn a 104 fever for a day and survive (and mom can get through it without panicking).
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then you were only 12 inches long.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you spill out of my lap in every direction.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then your eyes were fused shut.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you see everything- whether we want you too or not.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then your skin was so fragile, we were limited in how much we could touch you.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you can tumble on a playground black top and stand up yelling “I’m ok”.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then your body was covered in freakishly long and thick blond hair- but your head was bald.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you have a head of beautiful blond curls.Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then you were surrounded by the amazing and talented staff of the NICU.=

Now, your daily adoring public is smaller but adores you more than they thought possible.
nowpeople

Then you had tubes and wires coming out of you.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you are free of all synthetic medications and support.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then your food intake was measure in milliliters – causing frozen breast milk to spill out of my freezer.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you hoover food down like I may not remember to feed later.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then you were so small, not even the smallest of preemie clothes would fit you.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you are busting out of your size 2T clothing.
Sam The Anti-Preemie; Now

Then, the preemie diaper was so big, we had to fold it in half to fit you.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, you are in the largest size of non pull-up diapers available.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then I had to leave you every night alone in a hospital.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Then
Now, I get to read to you, sing to you (while you laugh) and tuck you in every night… And sometimes sneak in just to look at you sleep.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Now

Then – I had no idea how you would change me. Now, I would not go back for anything in the world.

I love you my boy. Happy Third Birthday.
Sam The Anti-Preemie: Birthday

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Filed Under: Three years to Four Years

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy, Using Our Words says

    September 15, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    What a wonderful way to capture Sam’s growth and progress. I adore this!

    Reply
  2. Tricia says

    September 16, 2013 at 8:46 am

    Happy Birthday Sam!

    My own ex-preemies turned 3 in May. This post brought back so many memories – SO many similarities in the journey.

    Thanks for sharing yours.

    Reply

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I’m Melissa. My life was turned upside down when my second child, Sam, was born just 24 weeks into my pregnancy. This is our continuing story. Memoir about our experiences due out Nov 2, 2021

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