I’m so glad you’re here to read another wonderful story about a beautiful Micro Preemie. Doing these posts every Monday mean so much to me. I love that these moms and dads have volunteered to share their babies with me, and in turn, allowed me to share them with you. I hope it makes you realize that there are just so many babies that are born way too soon. Medicine is amazing, and I’ve shared many good outcomes to give hope to anyone struggling with a high-risk pregnancy or NICU stay right now.
However, I also want to remind you, that while I am sharing these beautiful babies, there are so many more babies that don’t get to have a story with an outcome like this. We need to keep spreading awareness. Premature birth is a huge problem in this Country, and I’m working in my small way to find a way to make it a smaller one.
I hope each of these posts make any moms and dads of preemies feel less alone. I know I feel a connection to each one of these stories. In a few weeks, I’m going to update you on all the babies we’ve met so far, so please sign up to be on my email list and you won’t miss out.
Today, we are talking with Mom, Kenzie, about her daughter Ashton. Not only was Kenzie dealing with a baby in Intensive Care, but she had another emotional experience with her family. Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop just because we have a baby in the NICU.
1. Tell us about your baby
Our baby’s name is Ashton Luna. She was born at 26 weeks and 2 days. She was 14″ long and 2 lb 4 oz.
2. How long were you in the NICU? What was the hardest part?
We were in the NICU for 85 days. The hardest part, as a mom, was not being able to give her the care she needed. I felt like I was her nanny for a while and not her mother. It was hard having nurses and doctors tell me what was best for my baby and how to care for her when I felt like it was supposed to be my job. It was also hard having all of the support and overwhelming attention from family and friends at first, and then it dying down after 2 weeks. Another thing that happened during our NICU stay was finding out my 10-year-old brother was being diagnosed with cancer. It took a huge toll on me emotionally and mentally.
3. Do you know what caused your premature birth?
The cause of her prematurity was Chorioamnionitis, which is an infection in the amniotic fluid. It was a very fast delivery with no warning. I ended up having an emergency C-section and the doctors told me she wouldn’t be able to cry – but she did! That was the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard!
4. How are you and your baby doing now?
We have now been home for 3 months and are doing great! It’s been so nice to be home and the NICU is just a distant memory. It doesn’t even feel like that was our life for 3 months. I spend extra time cuddling her and singing to her. Our NICU experience really makes us not take things for granted!
An update on Kenzie’s 10-year-old brother:
He’s doing good, still going through chemo but he’s hanging in there. If everything goes as planned we should be done with everything by December.
5. What advice would you give a new Micro Preemie Mom?
My advice to NICU moms is that this NICU journey will teach you so much about yourself and your baby. You will learn how strong you all are and what you can accomplish. It will also teach you how precious life is and to take in each moment! Remember to ask as many questions as you can, do kangaroo care, and give your baby lots of love! That is truly the best medicine in the NICU. Also, you’re not alone! Reach out to other NICU mommies for advice and support. We’ve all been there and understand each other more than anyone else can.
Thank you again Kenzie for sharing Ashton with us!
Wow! Such a beautiful series that you have started Shann. I can partially understand the feeling of a new mom whose baby has to be in nicu as my daughter was there for 22 days as well. But she was not a preemie. Having a preemie makes it much difficult for the parents, emotionally and physically. Its sad that not all stories end up so well. But I am happy to see Ashton doiny so well. Kenzie, she is adorable n thanks for sharing this story with us all. Sorry to hear about your brother. Hope he get well with all the treatments. My best wishes.
Mom’s are so strong! It amazes me the connection mom’s have to their little ones while they are still even in the womb. You don’t know how strong you are until you are put in a situation!
Wow! Look at how she has grown! Remarkable
So sweet – thanks for sharing this beautiful story!
Oh my goodness! This post is so cute! I loved seeing her grow and mature.
Mikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.
She is absolutely beautiful. And prayers go out to Kenzie’s brother as well for a quick recovery.
Oh my gosh what a sweet baby girl. She is a fighter, I’m glad she is home and safe with her family. And my heart goes out to Kenzie’s brother.
Blessings to all of these babies. They are just adorable. Glad to see her doing well.
I love seeing her grow!! so sweet! I love that you do this!
She has come a long way! I can’t even imagine how difficult it all was in the beginning. What a blessing all is well now.
This is an awesome series. I haven’t experienced a preemie baby, but I have a few friends that have and I remember how scary and alone they felt. I love that this series can give moms some hope and support. Plus, I can’t get enough of looking at cute baby pictures. Swoon!
Thank you so much!
Such a beautiful post. A great reminder of how precious life is. Best to the little ones.
Look at that smile! Melts me. She’s growing so well—I love the giraffe comparison. Oh my goodness, how did you make it through the NICU AND a cancer diagnosis for your young brother? I am so happy to hear things are moving along. Prayers for your family. Our little girl was 2 lb. 13 oz. –those “GIANT” diapers 😉 look very familiar. Congratulations on having your sweet, growing girl home. Enjoy every minute!
My sister in law had identical twin daughters that spent two months in the nicu. They really are million dollar babies.
Yes, yes they are!
So glad that this gorgeous baby is home, and hoping for more good things for her uncle!!
Another beautiful miracle!
Thank you everyone for the kind words! Even though we’ve been through a lot, we are still so fortunate and blessed. Thank you Shann Eva for featuring our story 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Kenzie!
My son was in the NICU for four days and that was tough so I can’t imagine 85. I love to see the pictures of the smiling babies. What an amazing story!
Thank you for sharing this. As a mom to a 10-month old baby girl, I couldn’t have imagined the heartache that would have happened if she had to have gone to the NICU. I say prayers all the time for mommies to deliver happy, healthy babies who don’t need to spend time in the NICU but it is just completely out of our hands. Prayers for every baby who has to experience the NICU, and their parents as well!
Thank you so much Lauren.
so sweet! Keep up the positive attitude!
Omg what a beautiful lil’sweetie :):) so glad to see her doing great now!
This story is so much like my own with my daughter! So glad she’s doing so well! Best wishes for your brother, Kenzie.
What a beautiful story. She has grown so much and is absolutely beautiful.
What a sweet little face! I love these micro preemie posts. Stories of survival really inspire me. The resiliency these little beings display is nothing short of miraculous.
What a story… Wow. Our son was premature by a few weeks and I can only imagine how your experience made you feel. And I agree, the sound of that cry is the best sound in the world. 🙂 – Jerusha, TheDisneyChef.com
You are such a strong mom. I know how frustrating it must have been for you not to be able to care for your baby during those times.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us. You are a very strong woman and I’m glad to hear that you are now home. Your baby is adorable.
Sorry to hear about your brother. I hope and pray everything goes well for him.
Hey glad to have you Join us in this world 🙂
Aww… Thank you for sharing your miracle. She has came a long way.
Oh my goodness she’s precious! Those fake sunglasses are darling! So glad everyone’s doing well.
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs
Awwww precious girl! My daughter is 3 months, born full-term. I cannot even begin to imagine having a journey like this.
What a precious, miraculous little girl! Thank God for His protection and compassion on this little one and her family. Love seeing how she’s grown based on her next to the giraffe toy – great idea!
She’s grown so much and is so cute!!
Aw what a sweetie. My niece was born a preemie. She had a lot of complications and was in the hospital for a good long while, but she’s thankfully thriving now too.
I’m glad she’s OK. Thanks for reading!
You’re one strong mama! So happy that you were able to bring your little one home. She’s such a cutie!