Our NICU Journey

Londyn and Livia were born on May 1, 2009. They were 7 weeks early so we spent some time in the NICU - 26 days to be exact! Londyn's birth weight was 3lbs. and 14oz. Livia's was 3lbs. and 8oz. 

Our NICU journey was a difficult journey for us. It was never a thought in my mind that I would not be bringing my babies home with me. Every day for 26 days I cried, no I sobbed. My tears and grief were surprisingly, something I mostly kept to myself. I knew I had to be strong yet I was scared, terrified, and worried. I longed to not have "rules" as their mother. Looking back, my desires were very selfish, I wanted to be with my girls all the time, love and hold them when I chose, not when given permission by doctors or nurses. Allen and I handled the situation very differently. He was much more laid back and I was much more up-tight (yet if you would have talked to me, you probably wouldn't have known that). I am thankful that he loves me so much and was so patient with me. He often gave me words of encouragement and always a shoulder to lean/cry on. I am blessed to have him as my husband. Even though you are discharged from the NICU, the memories and experience stays with you forever. You never forget it, and it is something that takes time to allow the wounds to heal. It has been nine months and I still often think about it. I instantly feel a connection with others who have spent time in the NICU and had similar experiences. 

When we left the NICU the girls were almost 4 lbs, they are doing great now and at 6 weeks, Londyn is almost 7lbs and Livia is almost 6lbs. I am so thankful for all of the excellent nurses in the NICU, we became close with so many of them and we are so thankful for how wonderfully they took care of our precious babies! They heard my tears and struggles and often consoled me. Thank you, you will always have a special place in my heart!

Londyn Paige Cox

Livia Grace Cox

Lights, Lights, Lights,

The Girls Pod

Mommy

Daddy

Londyn

Livia

One of the best days!!!

The girls were bedding together!

My Loves

Londyn & Livia

A very hard day for me...

I cried all day this day, not sure why...

The nurse could hear me and could probably

tell by my eyes. When I got to the 5:00 feeding

(last one of the night)

she surprised me with giving them a bath.

Her name was Carrie and she has NO idea how

much this meant to me. It brightened my evening.

LONDYN

Her First Bow

LIVIA

Her FIrst Bow

Together!!!

Feedings

The highlight of our day!!!

Sleeping...

I had a conversation with a nurse about if I was

going to dress them the same. When I came back

for the next feeding here is what I got. She put them

in matching clothes and bedding. That was so thoughtful!

Thank you so much!

 

A day without tubes.... Almost! 

Getting so close!

Carseat check

With preemie's they have to test their carseats.

They must sit in them without having any episodes. 

They also fix it so that it is safe for them.

Headed home with Londyn...

Livi Grace followed 4 days later. 

It was even harder to have Londyn at home

and Livi at the hospital. One day I went to see 

Livi for a feeding and I broke down to the

nurse. She actually cried with me and told 

me that she didn't know how NICU parents did

it. It meant a lot to see that she recognized our

struggle. When we took Livi she told me that

she was so happy for us but that they would miss us

and our sweet girls. Thank you to all of our nurses!

Our NICU Journey

It changed my life forever!