Micro Preemie Updates
Since I started Micro Preemie Mondays back in June, we’ve met over 20 families, each with a story to tell about Premature Birth. I checked in with the first 10 families in update posts, which you can read HERE and HERE. In honor of Premature Birth Awareness Month, today and tomorrow, I’m going to update you on 12 more of those families that we’ve met in the last few months. I hope you’re as excited as I am to see those beautiful faces again!
6 Family Updates
Parker
When we first met Parker, Molly, his mother told us how he was born at just 22 weeks, 6 days weighing only 1 lb 6 oz. We then saw him grow into an active 2-year-old, who was working on learning words, who loved to dance, but was having some sensory issues and did not like baby food very much.
Parker is now 2 1/2 yrs old, and slowly starting to eat table food. He goes to speech therapy and, according to his therapist, he says about 230 words! He weighs 24 pounds now, and he will be starting preschool next spring.
Daniel and Anna
Daniel and Anna were born at a little over 24 weeks, weighing 1.7 and 1.6 lbs. When we first met them, they were 18 months, walking, babbling and eating.
Now, they are 21 months old. From their Mom, Demetra, Anna Maria and Daniel are doing great! They are running, playing, and having a blast, though they do not talk yet. They babble and understand when we talk to them. The are receiving Early Intervention 3 times a week. They are on no medication! He’s 24 pounds and she’s 23 lbs. They also eat all table foods! The are miracles!
Zachary
Zachary was born at 26 weeks, 2 days, weighing 1 lb 11 oz. When we met first met Zachary, he 4 1/2 years old, and was about a year behind on development. His mother, Catherine, told us they thought he might have Hirschsprung disease, and he was on high calorie drinks to help him maintain his weight.
Zachary William will be turning 5-years-old at the end of November. Great news from his Mom is that he does not have Hirschsprung disease. They are, however, running more tests for Zachary such as thyroid, neurological tests, Celiac disease, iron, nutrition absorption, they are also checking to make sure he doesn’t have hidden Spina Bifida (they don’t think he has last one but they are checking just in case).
He now weighs 14.55 Kg, which is about 32 lbs and is 97 cm tall. He’s also started a home education program and its helped his learning a lot.
Also, pictured with Zachary is his new kitten, and his rabbit, which had babies!
Olivia
Olivia was born at 24 weeks, 1 day, weighing 1 lb 12 oz. When we met Olivia, she was 14 months old and weighed 17 lbs. She no longer was on Oxygen, but did have a g-tube.
From her Mom, Shelby, Olivia is now 18 months old (14 adjusted) we still have the g-tube and have been working on her feeding skills, she finally started walking a few weeks ago and you know that made mommy cry!! She weighs 18 lbs 12 oz and is 27 inches long! She’s doing fantastic!! For Halloween she dressed up as a “little cow” and everyone loved it! She was adorable! We went trick or treating for the first time and got lots of candy, of course she really can’t eat any but we shared all the suckers with her! She is such a character and a joy to be around! She is a blessing to her family and a true miracle!
Adiana
Adiana was born at 28 weeks, 2 days, weighing just 1 lb 15 oz. When we met Adiana, she was 1 year and 3 months old, weighing 18 lbs.
Now, from her Mom, Adrienne, Adiana is almost 21 lbs (from 1 lb 15 oz) and 17 months old. She is starting to talk more and more each day. She is so full of energy and really a joy to watch grow. She continues to catch up in weight with her peers. She is in a full-time daycare/school schedule so she loves to play with other children. She really amazes me each and everyday.
William
William Taylor was born at just 24 weeks, weighing 1 lb 1 oz. When we met William, he had just turned 19 years old. He just graduated from High School and had a full-time job.
His Mother, Jackie, asked William to share his own update. So, let’s hear from William.
My name is William … I go by Taylor. I’m 19 years old and live in East Tennessee. I have full-time job as a Houseman at a local motel and I volunteer with my church youth group as much as possible. Being a preemie to me means I belong to a very select group of people… Very unique. I have faced many challenges over my life even if I don’t remember them. The only way I know I’m a preemie is that I’ve seen pictures and heard stories. I am small for my age, I wear glasses and I still have some scars. But none of that bothers me at all. No need to complain about things that cannot be controlled. With the love and support of my friend and family I have been able to live a normal life. I was never allowed to use being small as an excuse. My family has always pushed me to be the very best I can be with no excuses. My favorite story from when I was born was when my great grandparents donated blood for me. They were in their 70’s at the time and had never donated blood. Afterwards they both came to the hospital to see me for the first time. They’ve both passed on now but I love knowing that they gave me blood and I know they’ll always be with me. I’ve blessed with a large family. I have 2 younger sister’s Maddie and Abbie and an older step sister Katelynn and 2 younger step brothers Matt and Bobby. I really enjoy life and I would say to any kids out there that are small to keep your heads up and stay positive. Being small isn’t the worst thing ever. I wouldn’t change anything about my life even if I could.
The one person that’s helped me the most on this earth is my mom Jackie. She is my longest and most successful relationship. She had been with me since day one and fought for everyday while I was sick. Even when they said I had no chance she believed in me. And for 19 years that has never changed. The one person I love to bug the most is my amazing step father Tim. He helps me with the challenges of becoming a young man and helps me learn how to be a good man. I look up to him and love him very much.
Thank you so much to Molly, Demetra, Catherine, Shelby, Adrienne, Jackie, and, of course, William Taylor, for sharing those amazing updates. It just made me so happy to read each update and see each picture. I can’t wait to check in with you all again soon.
If you have any questions or comments for any of the families, please feel free to leave them here. All of the families are able to respond directly to you.
This is so sweet that you do this! It is amazing to see each adorable little kid and their progress. I didn’t even know that there could be so many different complications with having a preemie either. Thank you for sharing, very insightful!
What a beautiful and moving update! I loved reading about the progress these children have made – wonderful photos, too. – Trish
Amazing miracle babies! It’s awesome that you are raising awareness about this Shann!
Thank you! 🙂
I loved reading what William had to say. I didn’t read your blog in June, but I enjoyed getting to know these children and families. 🙂
Such a great update from all of the kiddos 🙂 I love that you keep in touch and do this!
Love reading stories like these. They are God’s miracles!
Awe, all these babies are gorgeous! Glad these families had a positive update!
http://www.writingmotherfashionista.com
LOVE all the updates on these little cuties. Glad they are all doing well.
so, so sweet! you are amazing- thanks for sharing. my cousin was born three months early and was a preemie/under two pounds- she’s now a beautiful 27 year old! so happy to read this amazing progress
That is wonderful. So happy to hear stories like that Nelle 🙂
Aww, I remember a lot of these faces. I’m glad to see updates and to see them doing okay 🙂
Well done everyone. Its such a hard journey and you’ve all done amazing.
Parker- you are a beautiful boy. Keep growing strong sweetie
Daniel and Anna- you look so sweet and cheeky. Glad you both are doing well.
Olivia- beautiful girl. I cried too when Zachary walked.
Ariana- keep up the great growing sweetheart. I love your chocolate brown eyes.
Taylor- its amazing to see a micro prem grown up and doing so well. You give the rest of us hope that our wee ones can make it. Continue toget closer to Jesus hun and he will help you. Thank you
Zacharys mum Catherine
Awe. Thank you so much, Catherine.
oh just too precious!! i want to hug them all
It is so wonderful and amazing to hear these updates! I remember reading a lot of their stories the first time around.
This is wonderful and I am actually so excited to find you!!! Our second son was premature. We adopted him when he was almost three s we didn’t have the experience of course that these families did but he was very ill for a long time and still struggles with many things. I really really appreciate this and will be reading more here because there is so much I don’t know…thank you so much!!!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you found the blog too. If you ever have any questions for me, you can send me an email, and I’d be happy to answer. My twins were born at 25 weeks. Thank you again!
What a very cool thing to do Shann! These stories are so inspiring 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your updates! Great to know that each and everyone of these little angels are doing so well, and healthy 🙂
Thank you so much Joan! 🙂
This is so great to see. Thank you for sharing this with us
Thanks for the update! It’s so awesome that you care so much for these sweet babies. I love seeing these stories- so inspirational..and hopeful .
This is so heartwarming to read. Love these little inspirations!
Thanks for the updates 🙂 This is such an inspiring post, thank you for making me smile this evening x
You’re welcome. Thank you so much for reading 🙂
The advancement in science is incredible. What miracles!
These babies are so precious! I just love these posts 🙂
Those are all inspiring and touching stories. You can feel the love from the parents from all of those write-ups. Very sweet.
What a joy to see these beautiful little miracles and also that you’re sharing them and their updates with us – I can’t imagine having a baby that little – my one and only of 9 lbs 2 oz – I did meet a lady in her late 80’s that said they put her in a cigar box in the old fashion warmers on top of the stove to keep her going after she was born early – amazing stories all.
Oh my goodness!
Aww such a wonderful thing to see those happy little faces and one nice young man! It’s great to see happiness when at one point their futures were so uncertain! May God be with them all <3
Thanks Cindy!
I love that you do this!! One of my older sisters was a preemie. Now she’s in her 30’s with three of her own kids!
Awesome! I love to hear things like that 🙂
Wow! What incredible changes! This is so great that you do this!
What abunch of cuties!! I love that they are thriving and growing!
I love this follow-up! I’ve gotten to read some of the more recent posts, but this one tops them all!
adorable sweet babies…may God continue to bless them and their families that love them so much.:)
http://unveiledandrevealed.com
Wow.. thanks for sharing their updates ! Absolutely love this post!
I’m glad that the are baby doing great. These is an awesome update. Thank you for sharing.
This positive stories must be inspirational to families with preemies.
What a cool thing to do. Thanks for the updates
It is wonderful that you get together with out families that went through the same thing. Wonderful !!
This is so wonderful to see! My granddaughter is a preemie as well and to see all of them thriving is beautiful! Thanks for the updates! 🙂
This is great. I love seeing the updates! My micro-preemie is 10 now and every Monday when I come here I’m reminded of that time, of the worry and stress of having a baby so tiny.
Oh no. I hope you’re not reminded in a bad way. 🙁 ps. You’re always welcome to come and share your story here.
They are all so cute and adorable. They are miracle babies! It’s so nice that you get to connect with other moms and share your experiences.
These children are all so beautiful. It’s nice to see more people raising awareness about things such as premature birth.
I love your post – all 4 of my children were early not preemies and Bless all of these wonderful children in your post and everywhere! My oldest was the earliest at 28 weks. He is now 23 – he has had many obstacles in life but he overomes and I am so proud of him. I love your post and I hope you continue to updae us om these very special families and wonderful children. I am teary at how they have thrived. Thank you for sharing
How fun! Loved the updates. I would love for you to link with us at 100 Happy Days http://www.akreativewhim.com/100-happy-days-link-up-3/
It is lovely to hear about prem births and how well the children are thriving now. Thank you for raising awareness.
I am so, so glad to hear the progress they’ve all been making. That is a wonderful ray of hope for other parents going through the early struggles.
so good to see healthy smiley babies!
I am so glad to see these lovely survivors. God bless them. Thanks Shann for providing the awareness to our society.
That’s wonderful to see how well they are all doing! 🙂
Such amazing updates. Such cuties 🙂 So great to see them doing well. 🙂
sweet babies! Thanks for the update!
Look at those sweet growing babies!