June 12, 2012

It has been another good day for our little miracles.  Adam and Kylee have each gained weight, Adam now weights 1 lb, 8 oz, and Kylee weighs 1 lb, 7 oz.  They were sleeping like little angels today when I saw them.

Katie Palmer of the Facebook group NICU Parents of Sacramento visited Adam and Kylee today.  The group has been extremely supportive of Emily throughout this time.  Katie brought by a bag of goodies with her for Emily, Eric, and the twins.  It was packed with useful items along with two blankets Katie made and embroidered for Adam and Kylee.  This was such a sweet and generous thing to do.  But the most beautiful part of the gesture is that this is done for every member of the group.  If anyone has the means to help out this group, it is a very worthwhile cause to help bring these awesome, useful bags of love and joy to all the new parents of preemies in their group.

Parents who's children enter the world in an NICU are thrown into a world of trauma and fear, and their worlds instantly change from an anticipated joyous occasion to one of critical conditions and painfully difficult decisions.  No one is prepared for these circumstances.  Being able to hear stories of parents who have come through this trauma successfully helps immeasurably and being able to communicate with parents who are going through the same thing you are going through is a tremendous help.  

... and do you know how hard it is to find preemie-size anything!?  It is not easy!!!  Emily and Eric have been receiving incredible donations of clothing and other items from NICU parents who no longer need them.  It is a wonderful way of giving and sharing.  It gave us the idea to start the Preemie Swap Meet Facebook page where families of preemies are welcome to list items they are in need of and items they no longer need and can pay forward.  There is a basket outside most NICU nurseries where donations can be dropped off and parents can pick and choose items for their babies.  Any extra items can always be donated there where they will be greatly needed and appreciated.  For those who knit and crochet, it is a wonderful, greatly appreciated gift to have handmade little items for these special babies when they go home.

Thank you to the Air Force Titans and their spouses for donating home cooked meals to Eric and Emily while they continue to deal with all that has happened.  It is terribly thoughtful and greatly appreciated!  Thank you also to the Airman who donated an entire bag of fantastic clothing to Adam and Kylee.  The support and generosity of Eric and Emily's Air Force family has been phenomenal.

Thank you for all the prayers, love, support, positive thoughts, and well wishes being sent Adam, Kylee, and their family's way.  They are greatly appreciated, give our families strength, and help our two little miracles progress.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!  Today was a good day for Adam and Kylee.

Adam Sleeping Soundly

Kylee Sleeping Soundly

Adam's Blanket by Katie Palmer

Kylee's Blanket by Katie Palmer