What is a NICUversary?
Even though August has come to an end, it will always be a special month for us. August 1st and 3rd are particularly special because they are the dates of my boys 3rd “NICUversary.” What is that crazy made up word you ask? Well, it’s the anniversary to the dates that my boys came home from the hospital.
A Long Journey
My twins were born at 25 weeks, 5 days, due to Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) and Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction (SIUGR,) both which are conditions/problems with the placenta during a twin pregnancy. To explain these conditions in very simple terms, since my boys are identical, they shared a placenta in the womb. Their share was very unequal, and my smaller twin only had about 10%. Also, the blood vessels connecting them in the placenta did not function correctly, again upsetting the balance of the nutrients they were receiving.
When my smaller twin ran out of nutrition and was going into heart failure, it was time to deliver. Luckily, I had been in the hospital since 24 weeks for constant monitoring. The twins only weighed 1 lb 7 oz and 2 lbs 2 oz at birth, and were very sick, so they had a long journey ahead of them in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU.) My bigger guy stayed in the NICU for 91 days, and my little guys was in for 93 days. It was a long three months, filled with many ups and downs. It really took a physical and mental toll on our entire family. But, we survived! And it’s been 3 years with no re-admittance into the hospital!
To celebrate this year, we’ve decided to take the boys on a special trip. The first year, however, we threw a big party, and called it their NICUversary party. I’m going to take you back, and share that special day.
3 years ago
We’re decided to throw a big celebration for the twins to make up for the small first birthday party they had. I was too nervous to have a lot of people over to celebrate, since their first birthday was right out of cold/flu season at the beginning of May (May 4th to be exact.) Since the twins weren’t really supposed to be born until August, the NICUversary party would be the perfect idea. This way, not only would we celebrate them being 1 years old, but we would also celebrate them being out of the hospital for ONE WHOLE YEAR.
In addition to celebrating, we finally got to catch up with all of our friends! A lot of the people at the party hadn’t even met the twins yet! We haven’t been hiding them or anything, but with their prematurity and the severity of cold/flu season, we’ve been keeping them pretty isolated. Up until now, most of their excursions have consisted of doctor visits or a quick trip to Grandma’s house. We did take them out to a neighborhood party for the 4th of July, but other than that, this was the most people they’ve seen at one time.
It was a Zoo themed party and I did most of the planning/work myself. I made collages with their pictures, a “Zoo” sign, and got animal print balloons, streamers, and even a rug. I also found some super cute zoo animal beach balls to hang from our tree. The party was from 2pm to 4pm, so I made cupcakes, cookies (well, grandma made them, but I decorated!) and assorted snacks.
My mom also helped me make a healthy cake for the twins to dig into themselves. It was banana bread made with whole wheat flour, applesauce instead of oil, and frosted with cinnamon cream cheese. They seemed to enjoy it! I don’t think I’ve ever seen my little guy eat so much in one sitting.
I also found really cute zebra and giraffe sand buckets to give the kids as party favors, along with animal bubbles.
I have to admit that I really enjoyed the planning and decorating. Maybe when the twins are older, I can try out a little party planning business. I will NOT, however, be making any of the food for those parties. Shopping and decorating = FUN Baking and decorating cupcakes = Big Mess. I can save money and find unique decorations like nobody’s business, but baking and making food, not so much. At least I know my limits!
If you’re interested in any of the products I used, here are the Amazon affiliate links. Just click-through the picture to get to the product. No additional charge to you…just a few pennies for my piggy bank, if you decide to purchase.
The party was just the right amount of time, and I think everyone had a good time. The twins didn’t cry or fuss at all, and really liked watching all the people. We had invited many of the people who were really supportive both during my pregnancy and during the twins NICU stay. It was a really rough patch in our life, and to find people who can stick through that with you is pretty amazing. We even had one of our primary NICU nurses come to the party. She was still able to tell the twins apart!
We didn’t open presents at the party because it was such a short time, and we wanted to spend it visiting with everyone. It actually worked out really well because it gave us something to look forward to on Sunday. Everyone was really generous and thoughtful, and many of the cards brought tears to my eyes. We have some really special friends that stuck with us through a very difficult time.
We look forward to celebrating their NICUversary every year, even if it’s not with a huge party like this.
We had two births with complications. One led to a year of intensive PT and a lifetime of (extremely mild) growth issues for my son (Erbs Palsy). The other was bad, bad, bad at first, but turned around very quickly. Those were bad enough, but 90+ days in NICU – I can’t imagine that. We were blessed with an extremely easy birth for our middle child, but the world evened it out by putting her on the Asperger’s spectrum. Life is a journey, isn’t it? I think it is wonderful that you celebrate the good and bad of the journey. There are so many Moms who would make themselves martyrs and teach their children to be the same way. Good for you for celebrating life!
Thank you so much Julie. Life is definitely a journey. Thank you for sharing your experiences too.
Happy Anniversary! The banana cake is such a such a cool idea and a great alternative to cake. You did a good job on the Zoo party too!
Thank you so much!
Happy NICU-versary! Your baby boys are just SO adorable! <3
Thank you!
What a great idea, and certainly something to celebrate! I love the theme of your party.
Thank you Becky!
What an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing it.
Thank you!
Best party ever!! I absolutely LOVE throwing parties. I made it a point to make each kid’s 6th birthday be the last “party” because it just gets to be ridiculous once you deal with school age kids. Instead we just do a family thing and maybe have one or two friends over for movies and junk food. 🙂
That’s a really great idea. I think we will have to do that too 🙂
Oh wow how fun!!! I’ve never considered a celebration about graduating from the NICU. I’m glad you had or they had such a wonderful day! haha
Thank you!
Awww very cute party. This was a wonderful story. You have a beautiful family.
Thank you so much!
What a cute party! Great idea to celebrate! I love themed parties. I love the decorating and the cake making. I’m nothing close to a professional but it’s good enough for my kids!
Yes! Thank you.
Wow! That is quite the milestone! I can’t imagine what it was like for your family ro go through having them in the NICE for over three months!!! I’m glad the boys are well and happy nicuversary to you all. Wishing you many more in the future 🙂
Thank you Yanique 🙂
I have quite a few friends that have babies that were in the Nicu and its a story I always love hearing with great success. Thank you for sharing your story, it’s absolutely fabulous to hear that they have reached their THIRD NICUversary! 🙂
Thank you Britney!
I’m sure that was a exhausting, scary time for y’all. But I know y’all were so excited to bring your precious boys home! I love what you did with their party 🙂
Thank you so much .
So sweet! I love all of your stories and reading them just makes my heart so happy!
Thank you 🙂
Happy NICU-versary!!! That’s such an awesome way to celebrate. You should go into party planning because you always have cute posts about how you are decorating for their parties.
Thank you so much! Maybe once they are all in school, I will have time. I’d LOVE to party plan.
Love the cake and all the decorations. Looks like your kids enjoyed their cake too.
Ha! Yes, they did. 🙂
Congrats! Beautiful party and perfect boys!
Thank you!
Definitely a reason to celebrate – those a super long hospital stays! I love the animal them, super cute!
Thank you Nicole!
what an incredibly cute party, the boys are just as adorable now as they were then
Awe. Thank you!
This turned out SOOOO cute! Love the safari theme.
Thank you Jessica!
What a cute idea for a party, love all the little animal decorations.
Thank you!
Happy anniversary! My granddaughter was a preemie as well and like your children she’s a bundle of joy!
Thank you, and congrats on your preemie granddaughter too 🙂
your boys are very cute
This totally deserves a celebration! I love the theme!
Thank you!
What an adorable part! I love the zoo theme! I’m glad you can find joy and happy moments to celebrate. Your boys looks so happy!
Thank you!
Now that is an anniversary definitely worth celebrating! I love how you made the cake healthy too!
Thank you!
Ahh I know twins are usually born super early; I’m so glad to see them healthy and strong! I loooove the idea of a NUCIversary! 😀
Thank you!
Happy NICUversary! What a great idea!
Your party looked so sweet and fun! I kind of suck at party planning, I admit it. I’m a little jealous of how awesome this looks!
Happy NICUversary!
Awe. Thank you Trish. Let me know if you ever need help 🙂
It looks like everyone else has said it all, but great party! I love the elephant candles and you SHOULD plan parties for others. Not everyone (is good at it or) likes it! Mostly, I love the reason for the party itself. What a perfect combination of reasons to celebrate 🙂
Thank you so much Brooke! 🙂
Happy Anniversary. Your boys are adorable. I love the photo where they were playing with their cake.
Thank you!
Woohoo! Happy Anniversary! Looks like a really fun party. So glad to hear that there’s been no re-admittance into the hospital since then.
Thank you!
Congratulations! When I read nicuversary I thought your kid had been in the nicu for three years. Glad I got that wrong! LOL
Yes! Me too!
Your boys are all too cute!!! Happy anniversary!!!! You did such a fabulous job with the decorating ❤️?
Thank you 🙂
Oh my, SO cute! You are a master at party decorations. I will definitely be using this as inspiration for my future children’s parties!
Thank you!
Happy NICUversary!!! Love that your baby boys are healthy and well. The birthday party decorations are beautiful ad fun!
Thank you so much!
Aww, what a great way to celebrate the health and well-being of your babies.
What a beautiful way to celebrate!
Thank you!
Congratulations on your 3rd NICUversay! Our first baby was born at 29 weeks, 3 days, and had an 84 day stay in the NICU. I never would have thought to celebrate her NICU graduation day, but it’s such a cute idea! We ended up doing a Dr. Seuss theme for her first birthday because we noticed that it seemed to calm her when we read his books to her in the NICU. I’m so grateful for every moment we’ve spent with our daughter, and I’m glad to need another NICU mom who obviously shares those feelings of gratitude where her little ones are concerned. Doesn’t that seem to be a characteristic that’s shared by a lot of NICU moms?
Yes, I completely agree. How old is she now? That’s so cute that you did Dr. Seuss since those books calmed her in the NICU. My boys all love Dr. Seuss too. 🙂 Thank you for your comments and for reading 🙂
What a great way to celebrate the end of a rough time in your life. I loved the zoo party, so cute! Look forward to co-hosting with you at the #HomeMattersParty
Thank you! Me too!
My son was in the NICU for only a few days, but I still cherish those sweet nurses that helped us all during the time. That’s an important part of life and being able to have a good experience is wonderful. I love the cake pictures…those are always priceless!! 🙂 #HomeMattersParty
NICU nurses are so amazing! Thank you!
I love smash cake pictures! And I like your positive attitude to celebrate the NICUversary.
Visiting from #HomeMatters Party.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Happy Anniversary! It’s a great idea to celebrate one of the big milestones in your life – and that’s a very cute zoo party!
Looking forward to a great month of #HomeMattersParty fun with you!
Thank you..and great co-hosting with you too!
Happy NICUversary! Thanks for sharing your story and your adorable party ideas. Glad to be co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty with you again this month 🙂
Thank you!
Congrats on the NICUversary! I can totally relate, Rory’s NICUversary is July 11th. Oh, the memories… Thanks for co-hosting at the #HomeMattersParty – we love having you on the team! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Thank you so much! I love being on the team 🙂
Happy NICUversary! Loved this post. What a great way to celebrate something that was so difficult for the family. And those party decorations are to die for. Thanks for the idea. I’ve been searching for a theme for my boy’s 3rd birthday. Having fun co-hosting with you at the #HomeMattersParty
Thank you!
What a beautiful party decor and what cute babies 🙂 Visiting from the #HomeMattersParty #53.
Your Co-Host Enzie
Your boys look great Shann !! Love the way you celebrated the party. It’s great to be co-hosting with you at #HomeMattersParty.
Thankful that your boys are okay now. And congrats on your anniversary. Thanks for being such a great cohost on #HomeMattersParty.
Thank you!
NICU stories like your are so great to hear. My son’s fiance’s sister works at the NICU in Iowa City, Iowa and some of the stories are sad but I think most have a happy ending like yours. Congrats on that! They look and sound like great boys and they grow up sooooo fast. Enjoy these fun parties!
Thank you!
Awwwwww Shann, what a wonderful story – wishing you all a very happy NICUversary! Sounds like a celebration that MUST continue each and every year *yayyy* always an excuse for a party. Your zoo-theme was gorgeous, and I love the smash-cake with its vibrant decorations. Wishing you and your family an everflowing tub of abundance, health and happiness … and paaaaarty on!
With blessings, Callie (CreaTEAVity), London, UK #blogelina
Thank you so much Callie!
Happy Anniversary! Having a child in NICU can be an overwhelming experience and hearing stories like yours is very inspirational and a true blessing! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading!
such an amazing story, and two beautiful boys!
Thank you so much!
Congratulations on your NICUversarry. It looks like a fantastic party and such a gorgeous pair of little fellas you have there! I can’t imagine what it must have been like with two littles in the NICU for 91 & 93 days.
Thank you!
Hello. I am so happy to hear about the celebrations…especially of the anniversary. Your boys are beautiful and I am so happy that they are healthy and thriving. The cake looks fabulous and sounds delicious. I am very fond of making cupcakes and decorating cakes so this was a great post to see. Wishing you well with all your future decorating and many more NICUversaries Have a beautiful day! #blogelina
Thank you!
Such a great idea and the boys are so cute! Congrats on the NICUversary and your boys being home and healthy! 😀
Thank you so much!
Congratulations on your NICUversary! My son spent 90+ days in the hospital after his stroke when he was 2. It’s definitely hard on everyone! He’s 10 now and had many more hospitalizations but he’s still here so we are grateful! We call Aug 7th his Survivor Day but we’ve never thrown a party. That’s a great idea. You did a fantastic job on the party!
Congratulations on your Survivor Day! Thank you so much for stopping by and reading.
Happy NICU-niversary!! Your story is inspiring and your little ones are perfectly adorable. Your party was spectacular. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much!
Happy Nicuversary!!!!! It looks like a beautiful party and I’m crazy about those balloons! I’ve never seen such cool balloons before. Now I want to throw our little man a jungle themed party!
Awesome. Thank you!
What a great reason to celebrate! I love hearing stories like this.
Aww. How preciuos! Happy Nicuversary! I am always giving thanks that my I had very few complications in my birthing experiences.
And what a wonderful thing to celebrate! They are adorable. The zoo theme looks so fun. I love that idea.
Awww.. happy Nicuversary for sure! The babies are adorable! So happy they’re doing so well now. My daughter is due in Mid November with my grandson and his head is already down and she’s worried he’s going to come sooner than he’s supposed to – I’m hoping he stays in and continues to grow, he’s 4lbs. already, thankfully. Thanks so much for sharing! Love the jungle themed party and all of the photos! 🙂
Thank you! I hope your grandson waits to make his appearance, but it’s good to hear he’s already 4 lbs 🙂
It’s really good to hear your boys doing well after their difficult start; I’m glad that they enjoyed their birthday, they deserve it!
Thank you!
I am not usually a Mummy blog visitor as I don’t have a ‘human’ family of kids but your lovely and loving post positively glows with pride in your sons! I know you have have had so many moments of anxiety and stress while they were small and this event will have been all the sweeter for it. Those cakes look delicious and you have a real eye for creating an event to treasure. Many an harassed Mum would come running to you for help if you set up as a party planner!
Good luck to you and your wonderful family.
Marjorie
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comments!
My daughter was a preemie and stayed almost a month in the hospital. It was tough at times. I am glad that your boys are doing well 🙂 I loved your party theme 🙂 and think you will do great starting your own business 🙂
I’m glad everything turned out okay, and the party sounds great. My daughter had an animal song themed party when she was 3.
Happy NICU-versary! Adorbs overload!!
The pictures are beautiful and your celebration was with good cause. It is amazing that the boys have overcome so much and everyday is a celebration of their strength and well being. The animal theme is so age-approprate and fun!
Thank you!
Your party looks so cute! It’s so funny, though, because I hate the shopping and decorating part, but love the baking and food! 🙂
We should get together and start a party business 😉
I’ve never thought about premies being kind of younger than their age. Three months in the hospital holy moly. Its one of those things that I think to myself no way I could do that, how do people do it? But here you guys are, you did it! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate it.
What a fun party! You should go into the party planning business;)
I liked all the party decor. Your boys look adorable! Wish your family health, happiness and many more NICUversary parties ahead.
Happy Anniversary, I love the idea of a party to celebrate! I have a few friends who had babies in the NICU also, one with twins, and it’s such a joy to see the babies thrive!
How very sweet your boys are, and what an inspiring story! I think some of us who had typical pregnancies really take it all for granted. I applaud you for persevering through the 90+ day NICU period. The party for the boys was awesome…I especially like the “healthy” smash cake! Don’t see too many of those! #commentathon
Cute party and lovely family. Looks like they enjoyed themselves. Happy NICUversary!
I do not have children, but you are one strong Mama! I am so happy that your boys are doing well and that you are able to celebrate and make lasting memories with them. Well wishes to you and your family.
Thank you so much!
Aw, what adorable boys! I’m glad everything turned out well for them. I can’t imagine having to deliver at 25 weeks (right now I’m 25 weeks 3 days with Baby #4). The party turned out great!
Thank you! Congrats on baby #4! Sending good thoughts for a healthy delivery and baby.
I think celebrating their NICUversary was a brilliant idea. Your boys are adorable – I’m so glad they are doing well!
Thank you!
This is such a beautiful post to read on a Tuesday evening 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing, I learnt a lot and I wish you many more happy NICUversaries! xxxx
Thank you!
As someone who goes wild over the zoo, the party decorations are incredibly cute, and that table spread just makes me want to smile. So happy to read that your boys are happy, healthy and hospital-free!
Thank you so much!
A friend of mine had her baby at 25 weeks. It can be so scary. I love that you celebrate every year. What a cute party.
Jen
http://www.conversationsattheironingboard.com
Yes, definitely. Hope her baby is OK. If she ever needs support, please let me know.
So adorable and glad everything worked out for you guys!
Thank you!
Your baby boys are very adorable! I love the zoo themed party idea. 🙂
What cute little guys! Thank you very much for sharing your story. Our younger daughter was life flighted to the NICU for a short time due to jaundice. It was a scary time and I can’t imagine how hard that time must have been on your family. Happy to see your healthy boys. 🙂
Congrats, and I think that this is a great post celebrating a very wonderful day.
Happy to hear they are doing well.
What beautiful boys you have! Glad that they are happy and healthy.
This is great to hear they have not had to return. Unlike you though, I try not to think about my boy’s time in NICU. Maybe it is till too fresh.
Aw, that’s so sweet that you celebrate the day that they came home! I love the cake picture. It’s so cute!
Thank you so much Mary!