Preemie Pride Support Wall

My Joshie was born at 26 weeks gestation. Joshua spent 129 in the NICU at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange County, Ca. Joshua’s little brain hemorrhaged his second day of life which turned into a bilateral grade III/IV brain bleed. He also came home on a feeding tube, required eye surgery and had countless other setbacks.

Today, Joshua is a happy and rambunctious 4-year old. He attends special education pre-school where he continues to receive many different forms of therapy. His teachers and therapists describe him as happy, kind and always ready to learn. He has made significant progress academically as well as with speech and with sensory issues.

Joshua has come a long way from the frail 2 pound baby born much too soon. We are all so incredibly proud of our little warrior and look forward to watching Joshua continue to conquer his world on his time and in his own special way. Mommy, big brother and your Angel daddy love you more than you’ll ever know, Joshua Drake McCormick!

- Jenny McCormick 

(Proud Preemie Parent)

So strong awesome and doing great from the start – my 33 weeker.

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My son Timothy (TJ) was born at 33 weeks 6 days and spent a month in the NICU. He is 9 months (7 months adjusted) and just graduated from physical therapy (he was in for hip dysplasia). He is meeting many of his milestones on time. Our son is a fighter.

My sweet 26 weeker weighed 1 lb 7 oz. she spent 78 days in the Nicu. She just turned a year and weighs 13 lb 10 oz. She is remarkable, she crawls, stands up, and says a few words. I’m beyond blessed.

My beautiful miracle Addie.

Lily was born at 24+6 weeks, at 1lb 4oz. She was given a less than 10% chance of making it. She fought hard through a pneumothorax, transfusions, Pulmonary Hypertension, IUGR, and a host of other things. 132 days in the NICU. She was 7lbs when she came home.

Now, Lily is doing fantastic. She is 6 years old and is in 1st grade, alongside an enhanced class once a week for those kiddos who may be in gifted and talented next year. She is super smart and has been and always will be my preemie warrior! To the moon baby girl!

A extreme premature baby with HELLP syndrome was born 170820, weight 480g, length 29cm. Now 11 months and 7,5 kg.

Cooper was born at 30 weeks weighing 3lb 15oz due to placenta abruption. He spent a month in the NICU and made strides. Cooper is now almost 16 months old weighing just under 32lbs. He is still in therapy, started because of plagiocephaly and to help him catch up. The only thing left for him to master, is walking! So proud of our super trooper Cooper!

Our son was born at 33 weeks and spent 21 long days in the NICU.. we lost him 4 times, but each time he fought to come back to us! He is now a thriving 3 yr old and the strongest person I know and will forever cherish every good and bad moment with him!

My babe was born at 28 weeks due to my severe pre-eclampsia. He was 2 pounds 8 ounces at birth and now 47 days later he is 5 pounds 2 ounces. He is a Rockstar. We are still in the NICU but we can’t wait to bring this bundle of joy home.

Kaleb born at 28 weeks. He weighed 2 pounds 2 ounces. He was in the NICU for 50 days. He is now almost 11 years old. He is an active, funny, amazing kid! I am blessed for my tiny miracle!

…Our miracle baby girl was born at 31 weeks 5 days weighing 1.7kg… stayed a week in NICU…now 13 months…she just celebrated her first birthday with much joy & love ♥…we truly admire her fighting spirit & her amazing achievements & remarkable milestone…our lil warrior ♥…#ourpreemiewarriorbaby

After losing my waters at 21 weeks (every drop) I was told to terminate my pregnancy as my baby had 2% chance of survival and if he did survive he would be brain damaged, have club hands and feet and then would probably die later on. I did no such thing and assigned myself to bedrest. We made it to 27 weeks where my son Faris was born via an emergency c-section and not breathing, he was resuscitated 3 times and then transferred to a hospital miles away from me. We spent 70 days in NICU and then came home on oxygen for 1 month. Faris is now 2 and a half and my absolute hero! Motherly instincts are so powerful!

My 27 weeker, Solikha Maya, was born weighing 1lb 15oz, she spent 98 days in the Nicu, had stage 3 ROP, Jaundice & a PDA! Life after Nicu was a rollercoaster ride of mixed emotions. Our assessments with the child development center was disheartening to say the least. They labeled her 1 percentile in intelligence, her memory was horrible, her pen hand holding wasn’t accurate nor scissor skills. As of now she has made tremendous strides. Talks in full sentences and continues to impress me everyday. She’s so full of life with tons of energy!! Its been a wild ride. This darkness consumed me for so long, of mix emotions, highs and lows to being at peace. 

Alana was born at 26 weeks , 500 grams, and spent 110 Days in hospital at the old Royal Womens in Paddington Sydney. She is now 26 years old, a Qualified Vet Nurse and getting married, very active in sport and a very lucky girl.

Born at 30 weeks with a volvulus that caused him to lose 2/3 of his small bowel. He is a 3x NEC survivor! This year he is in Kindergarten and is in love with reading. He enjoys all things electronic and says he will run Apple one day.

Our sweet girl was born at 26 weeks weighing 1 lb 7 oz and 12.4 inches long. We spent 11 weeks in the NICU. She just turned 13 months and is thriving. Beyond blessed to be her mama.

My triplets arrived unexpectedly at 28 weeks. They weighed between 2 and 3 pounds and stayed in NICU between 35 and 50 days. Multiple scares happened along the way including a heart operation at 4 months old for Summer. They are now 5 year old rambunctious girls. Their big sister, dad, and I are extremely lucky to have them here. Life with triplets is amazing! - Bree Rowe

My water broke at 33 weeks while we were visiting our families 5 hours from where we were living. Four days later I was induced, and he was in the NICU for 10 days. I was so lucky to have the amazing nursing staff and family support through that time. 

- Kimberly Meffert

Our little one came at 27 weeks weighing in at 1lb 8oz with a slim first day survival rate. After a 103 day NICU stay we are home and now 14 months and a very happy baby.

Wesley Woolson

After 6 years of infertility & loss my husband & I finally conceived our baby girl Reign Victoria. Our pregnancy was completely uneventful until week 26. While on vacation I began to experience shortness of breath and severe swelling. By the time I got on the plane to come home I couldn’t fit my shoes, could barely breathe and couldnt see very well. I was rushed to the hospital on the ground and after blood, urine & radiology tests I was diagnosed with sudden onset severe preeclampsia, pulmonary edema and HELLP syndrome. I was rushed into a crash cesarean and ‪on March 25 @ 6:53 pm‬ Reign Victoria was born at 26 wks and 6 days weighing just 1 lb 15 oz. Despite the doctors expectations, she was born breathing on her own! Over the next 11 weeks she would experience 2 lung collapses, 2 infections, 8 blood transfusions and severe respiratory complications. After 80 days in the NICU and 2 weeks before her due date, our little miracle came HOME weighing a healthy 6lbs 10oz! At 8 months old she has caught up in her weight and development and weighs a whopping 20 lbs! I am still fighting hypertension, abnormal liver enzymes as well as pre-existing issues related to Lupus.But we couldn’t more grateful to have our Miracle baby Reign in perfect health & defying the odds! - Ebony Ford

This is our beautiful little Angel, born at 24 weeks in 2009, weighing 681 grams. The little star of My Bubble Wrap Girl: Sofia’s Story. Sofia, like so many of her fellow miracles, battled absolutely every life challenging hurdle thrown at her whilst she held on tightly to life.  A child born too soon will teach you what’s important in life and just how precious life is.

- Becky Meechan

My dear baby girl was born at 28 weeks, weighing 800 grams. Instead of being the best day of my life, it was the scariest. I never expected the miracle that I witnessed. My teeny baby thrived and grew stronger every day, right in front of my helpless eyes. Today, my one pound wonder is almost 5. She is the tallest kid in her preschool class. And not a day goes by that I am not amazed by her strength, her courage and her determination. Some times, I just find myself staring at her, in total awe and disbelief. I feel blessed to be her mommy and thankful for my sweet miracle.

- Jennifee Sutton

My little one was born at 30 weeks exactly. She weighed 3lbs 12oz. The doctors still have no idea why I delivered her early especially since all 3 of my other children went well over their due date. As of today, Brynn is 15lbs 12ozs and 7 months old. During her 1st month of life, she was in the NICU then was transferred to a children’s hospital to work on her bradycardic events and apnea. She was in the children’s hospital for a month as well. I was an absolute mess as well as my spouse during this time because I had never left my baby at the hospital. I made it a point to breastfeed my little one every chance that I got. I even pumped at home, work, and in the hospital to feed her the special milk that my body designed just for her. Thank God that she came home a few days after her 2 month birthday. Initially she was put on supplemental formula in addition to my breastmilk to ensure that she gained weight. After 4 months, she was taken off of the supplemental formula by our pediatrician and since then she has gained weight perfectly. Most recently, she was assessed to make sure that she was growing and meeting milestones and she knocked that out the park as well. To all preemie moms out there know that you are not alone and that with a lot of prayer your little one will grow to be a fighter as well. Check out my Youtube channel about all things #momlife.
www.youtube.com/c/TheQweenVlogs

- Tina R

After a sudden and severe onset of preeclampsia & HELLP syndrome at 22 weeks and bed rest for a month, Alex was born at 26 weeks weighing 640gms. He was absolutely perfect in every respect but just so incredibly tiny. We had no idea how a little body that small would grow- it was simply incomprehensible to us. Alex had so many challenges in his 320 day stay in NICU. He was intubated for 3.5 months and then on oxygen for a further 6 months. Inbetween his respiratory difficulties he had an emergency Ladds procedure, contracted RSV & a hospital superbug. Through it all Alex’s determination & will to best all odds shone through. Alex is an amazing 3 year old who has a zest for life and lights up any room. We are in awe of all he has achieved and accomplished and are so very proud of him. We love you!
@tinymebabies

- Kim

I never thought I would go thru this NICU process. My water broke at 32wks on my son’s birthday. I went to the ER where they had to take me to another hospital. I had to stay there till I was 34wks. I had my baby on November 28 ,2018
She weighted 3lb10oz via emergency c section. The hardest part was being discharged from the Hospital. I can never thank enough the nurses that took care of her. Just watching your own baby being in a closed crib breaks my heart not being able to touch or to hold her. The best part of this journey is that now we have her home. She is one feisty baby girl.

- Yadii Mendoza

Lucky was born at 24 weeks weighing 1 pound 11 ounce and stayed in the NICU for 98 days. We had a very tough and long journey with multiple surgeries and life threatening illnesses. Our journey didn’t stop when he came home, 3 years later and we are still on this preemie journey. Lucky is blind, has IS, seizures, Hydrocephalus,CP, wheelchair dependent along with many other health issues. He is still our strong, happy little warrior.

- Holly Ball

@the_great_mr_fuss
Was born at 27 weeks and 1 day, weighing 1pound, 13 ounces. He was only briefly intubated but remained on non invasive ventilation for 60 days and came home from the NICU exactly 2 weeks before his due date. He is now 12 months adjusted and surpassing all of his milestones. His lungs remain an issue but we have been beyond blessed with how healthy our little love is now.  - Melissa Koen

Our sweet miracle was born at 24 weeks & 5 days, after I suffered from PPROM(Preterm premature rupture of membranes). Remi is three months old & the tiniest but mightiest fighter ever, she continues to amaze me everyday with her strength to live. We’re 105 days into our nicu stay & cant wait for the day we can bring our babygirl home.

- Jessica Jolliff

My preemie was born in October 2011 at 23wks and 1 day. She was 1 lb 5 oz and 12 in long. Though she stayed in the hospital for 127 days she finally came home and had been amazing ever since. She’s now 7yrs old in 1st grade with zero complications. We had excellent nurses and doctors during our stay and couldn’t have gotten though all of it without them. - Colleen Park

Today Amelia officially took more of her feeding by mouth than by her ng tube! She took 40 of her 60 mLs!! She was born the day after Christmas at 30 weeks gestation and is making strides! Once we get this breathe/suck/swallow thing down we’re golden! - Megan Paulsen

My preemie warrior Addelyn just turned one she was born at 33 weeks due to severe preeclampsia and IUGR she was 2 lbs. 10 oz. She is forever my miracle girl!

- Samantha Weidner

The smallest of creations teach us the biggest, most valuable lessons in life.
Our daughter, Sofia Angelina Vercesi, was born at 24 weeks in 2009. Weighing just 681 grams. Sofia was given little hope of survival. The future painted was an incredibly grim one. Then, our beautiful determined little fighter decided she was not giving up that easily, despite facing multiple life threatening complications. She fought each battle like a miniature caped crusader, became the star of her own book and is now about to turn 10. Miracles do happen and they come in the smallest of packages.

- Becky Meechan

Audrey was born at 31 weeks by emergency C-section due to placental abruption. Our local hospital in Alabama attempted intubation multiple times, but our little fighter wasn’t having it. The Vanderbilt Neonatal Team from Nashville, TN arrived and attempted intubation as well with no success. Audrey was transferred over 2 hours away to Monroe Carrell Jr Children’s Hospital in Nashville where she stayed for 50 days. Despite the struggles and ups and downs of the NICU, Audrey is now a thriving 2 year old. Her strong will, determination, and fighting spirit that became well known throughout the NICU is still ever present today. She is our miracle girl, our little warrior, and we are so very grateful for her life!

This time 8 years ago I was admitted into Labor and Delivery at the end of my 27th weeks, little did we know our sunshine would be delivered 4 days later due to severe preeclampsia and IUGR. Brianna weighed 455 grams (under 1lb) was 12 inches long at birth. She had one heck of a fight on her hands, diagnosed with NEC on day 16 of her 115 day stay in the NICU she was on the ventilator for 65 days, underwent multiple spinal taps which thankfully came back normal. She showed us strength and will to live that we never thought existed. She has some developmental delays that we are working on, and residual issues from the NEC surgery, as well as slight issues with her vision. But the little girl that the doctors gave under 50% chance of surviving at birth is thriving. So as we prepare for her 8th birthday in four days, and her first holy communion in 3 months, we could not be prouder.

After 6 years of infertility & loss my husband & I finally conceived our baby girl Reign Victoria. Our pregnancy was completely uneventful until week 26. While on vacation I began to experience shortness of breath and severe swelling. By the time I got on the plane to come home I couldn’t fit my shoes, could barely breathe and couldnt see very well. I was rushed to the hospital on the ground and after blood, urine & radiology tests I was diagnosed with sudden onset severe preeclampsia, pulmonary edema and HELLP syndrome. I was rushed into a crash cesarean and ‪on March 25 @ 6:53 pm‬ Reign Victoria was born at 26 wks and 6 days weighing just 1 lb 15 oz. Despite the doctors expectations, she was born breathing on her own! Over the next 11 weeks she would experience 2 lung collapses, 2 infections, 8 blood transfusions and severe respiratory complications. After 80 days in the NICU and 2 weeks before her due date, our little miracle came HOME weighing a healthy 6lbs 10oz! At 11 months old she has caught up in her weight and development and weighs a whopping 22 lbs! I am still fighting hypertension, abnormal liver enzymes as well as pre-existing issues related to Lupus.But we couldn’t more grateful to have our Miracle baby Reign in perfect health & defying the odds!

My Christmas Day miracle was born weighing just one pound 6 ounces at 24 weeks and two days! She has had a 12% survival chance but she fought and proved that she is meant to be here, other than a few scars and a repair to her heart she is getting ready to become a teenager.

February 16th, 2019. Hope Journee was born weighing 4 lbs 1oz. A week earlier I went into preterm labor for no apparent reason. When we finally realized what was going on we rushed into the birth center and I was already 5cm dilated and her head was at minus 1 station. Somehow they managed to stop my contractions with magnesium and lots of fluids. A catheter/folly was placed because I was put on strict bedrest for a week. That was when the labor started again; 31 weeks 4 days. I got to hold her for maybe 30 seconds and kiss her on the head until they took her away to the NICU. She was a real trooper leaving the hospital in only 3 weeks time, 6 WEEKS before her actual due date. She weighed 5 lbs 3 oz. when we left the hospital and she now weighs 8 lbs 3 oz. She almost already up on the curve for babies her age and I cannot express how proud I am of her.

Kyro, born at 26 weeks .. we were in the nicu for 4 months, my water broke early and he came early, being in the nicu is overwhelming.. it definitely takes a toll, I remember having Kyro and then walking empty handed .. it almost feels like you get robbed .. bonding has its own timing too, not like normal babies. From 7 blood transfusions, retcam tests and overcoming so much stuff he’s home. Still on oxygen but hopefully when he is ready he will come off oxygen. If someoneone knows the nicu life it’s me, been there many days.

QLD Mum Cee-Anna had ruptured membranes at just 23 weeks gestation. On 20 hour strict bed rest to keep her little miracle inside the womb for as long as she can. Cee-Anna was told to stay at the Ronald McDonald house Brisbane incase of entering early labour that could happen anytime. After minimal growth and loss of heart beat. 11th of October 2017, Levani was birthed via emergency cesarean at 28 weeks, weighing just 799 grams. Levani was placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Brisbane, QLD. Levani required a breathing support machine for the first 65 days of his life and was taken home on Oxygen support for a further 3 months. Levani spent a total of 3 months in hospital and was let home on his actual due date, 3rd of January 2018. Cee-Anna and partner also named Levani said it was the hardest thing they have ever had to witness. We made a promise to our son that he wouldn’t be alone on his journey. We rotated that clock to ensure at least one of us were always by his side. Cee-Anna believes her father that has now passed away sent her this baby. Since the day Levani was born we got signs that my dad was protecting and guiding my baby through what was already the toughest time of his life – Cee-Anna said. Levani is named after his Dad and Grandfather Dale. His an absolute miracle and is thriving in life. Father Levani explained his Son as the King of our hearts, his reminded me of what’s important in life. He has bought so much love and happiness into our lives and believes that’s what mother Cee-Anna needed after loosing her Dad. We’re blessed to have him here with us so we will hold on tight to him. Pictured is the day Levani born and today the healthy happy almost 2 year old.

Our son Brady was born in 2018 at just 25 weeks old weighing 1 lbs 4 oz. As we started our journey we didn’t know what to expect or if we would get the chance to see him grow. Like many families my wife suffered from pre-eclampsia and had to deliver much earlier than expected. I remember looking at my son for the first time and seeing how small he was as the doctors hand-pumped his lungs. He had no voice or way of really looking at me like you imagine. Over the next 135 days, we struggled with getting our son home as he fought for his life. He was on oscillators, ventilators and at one point clung to life on 100 percent oxygen. I can remember standing over his isolette and asking for God to take me instead. Never in my life, had I prayed so hard and wished for something so much. And like a miracle, Brady took a turn for the better. Over the next few months he worked to overcome his chronic lung disease and was able to come home on oxygen. Each day I am reminded of the blessing he is and what a miracle he truly is. At almost 3 year actual, he has strived to become a child who has is thriving and happier than anything. Our experiences also inspired me to share our story and help others. I am proud to say that within the next couple months Brady’s story and that of millions of others will become a Children’s book just for families like us. He is also going to be an ambassador for our children’s hospital to help advocate for developments in neonatal care.

I couldn’t be more proud of him and the amazing staff who helped keep our miracle alive.  - Adam Wood