Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Every year I have more and more to be thankful for and this year is no exception. Some of the things I am particularly thankful for are:

Modern medicine and technology – I wouldn’t have my baby without them. My blog would have a very different tone if not for sonogram machines, c-sections, oxygen monitors, apnea and heart monitors, and nasal cannulas. And hospitals.

NICU doctors and nurses and respiratory therapists – none of the things mentioned above would be of any use without the wonderful people who know how to use them and what to do when the alarms start sounding.

Friends – I have the greatest friends ever. The love and support during the second half of this year has been amazing. I could not have made it this far without them. They save my sanity and me.

Family – I have the most wonderful family. Yes, they drive me crazy sometimes but they are worth it. Particularly, I would have starved to death if not for my mom cooking for me 5 days a week for months while Fiona was in the hospital and then after she came home.

Hand sanitizer – it dries out my hands but it keeps them relatively germ free.

AngelCare Monitor – couldn’t sleep without it.

Renee Mandala, my lactation counselor – without her help, Fiona would be on formula by now. Instead, she is exclusively breast fed unless I am at school.

Ventura County Nursing Mamas – a wonderful group of women who are my new parent support. I feel like in the last couple of months I’ve made about 30 new friends.

The Preemie Palace – every time I get paranoid about some preemie issue, moms from around the country jump in to talk me off the ledge and reassure me that it will be ok.

John – the most wonderful husband in the whole world. Our relationship keeps getting tested, and he makes sure we get 100% each time. I think I would be lost without him. There really isn’t enough space on this blog to describe what he means to me.

Fiona – I never thought I could ever love anything this much. My heart aches when she is not in my arms. I feel giddy when I think about her. She makes me believe in the future and gives me something to look forward to every day.

There are many other things that I am thankful for, but I am going to stop now.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!