This is a thank you to the UAMS NICU nurses. Our preemie miracle Samaiyah James was born at UAMS on the morning of May 29th 2009. She was only 2lbs 12oz but she was a strong little girl from the beginning especially since she was born 2 months early. She is our preemie miracle.
We have wanted to thank the UAMS NICU nurses for all the kindness they showed us and how they cared for our bundle of joy. We can't remember all of your names but there are a few that really stuck with us. Amy, Lashonda, and Juanica. Please forgive the misspellings let us know the correct spellings and we will change it. These UAMS NICU nurses are something special and we could tell they really enjoy their jobs and are in the right profession.
Let me fill you in on the progress of the prettiest baby in the world. She is passing all of her milestones and really growing. She is currently over 14lbs. I'm sure you wouldn't recognize her now since she was so tiny the last time you saw her. Please look around the site and take a look at her pictures. I will keep them updated so you can follow her progress. Samaiyah has been rolling over for a while and can even sit unassisted for a couple of minutes. She also has the most beautiful facial expressions you have ever seen.
I don't know if the UAMS NICU nurses receive the appreciation that they deserve but this thank you will live on the web for years to come. It is a small gesture but it is from the heart and we wish you all well.
To everyone with preemie's everywhere be sure to thank your NICU nurses. It is often overlooked because all of the stress that is placed upon parents. So again thanks to all of the UAMS NICU nurses!
Showing posts with label preemie milestones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preemie milestones. Show all posts
Preemie Miracle Milestones
Before my daughter was born I had no idea what a preemie milestone was. Being born two months early and weighing only 2lbs. 12oz. I knew we would have a lot of learning to do about her care. She was in the hospital's NICU unit for about a month and that had challenges on us as well.
Happily after about a month she was ready to come home and after buying a special car seat, because she was still so tiny, we were on our way. She is our little preemie miracle. We still had to travel back every couple of weeks for an eye exam because preemies are more susceptible to eye problems. Finally after she graduated from the Children's Hospital and her eye tests we settled into normal doctor visits and immunizations.
After meeting with a therapist who determined she was a little behind on her development a plan was made to help her reach her preemie milestones. The therapist would meet with Samaiyah and do some exercises designed to help a preemie catch up with a full term infant.
We have seen improvement and we get a sheet each session showing where she is at and which milestones she has reached. She is a lot more vocal now and will respond to our voice and follow us around the room with her eyes.
She is still tiny at 5 months old and still in 0 to 3 month old clothes but she is a beauty and already has her own personality and a beautiful smile. Samaiyah is the prettiest baby in the world.
We are lucky because my wife works in the daycare that Samaiyah attends and has a Child Development Associates degree. She is always close by to check on our daughter and keep me informed on preemie milestones and such.
Through reading I learned that the first three years are a peak period of development during which the child's brain has twice as many synapse as an adults. If they are used repeatedly in the early years they become permanent if not the synapse will likely not survive. These reasons are are why a baby needs consistent emotional, physical, cognitive, and language stimulation starting from birth. So let's all meet those preemie milestones and if your baby isn't a preemie it is still important to know where your baby is at with his milestones as well.
Happily after about a month she was ready to come home and after buying a special car seat, because she was still so tiny, we were on our way. She is our little preemie miracle. We still had to travel back every couple of weeks for an eye exam because preemies are more susceptible to eye problems. Finally after she graduated from the Children's Hospital and her eye tests we settled into normal doctor visits and immunizations.
After meeting with a therapist who determined she was a little behind on her development a plan was made to help her reach her preemie milestones. The therapist would meet with Samaiyah and do some exercises designed to help a preemie catch up with a full term infant.
We have seen improvement and we get a sheet each session showing where she is at and which milestones she has reached. She is a lot more vocal now and will respond to our voice and follow us around the room with her eyes.
She is still tiny at 5 months old and still in 0 to 3 month old clothes but she is a beauty and already has her own personality and a beautiful smile. Samaiyah is the prettiest baby in the world.
We are lucky because my wife works in the daycare that Samaiyah attends and has a Child Development Associates degree. She is always close by to check on our daughter and keep me informed on preemie milestones and such.
Through reading I learned that the first three years are a peak period of development during which the child's brain has twice as many synapse as an adults. If they are used repeatedly in the early years they become permanent if not the synapse will likely not survive. These reasons are are why a baby needs consistent emotional, physical, cognitive, and language stimulation starting from birth. So let's all meet those preemie milestones and if your baby isn't a preemie it is still important to know where your baby is at with his milestones as well.
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