Our NICU Experience

An archive from 2008–2010

· NICU day 21

I Finally Held Her

Three weeks in, Erik holds Brady for the first time, and we take our first family photo.

Written by ErikBrady: 3 weeks old · or ~31 weeks7 comments
Born · Jul 16Day 21 of 94Home · Oct 18
A folded pink fleece baby blanket with a butterfly appliqué and ribbon, topped by a white plush seal, left on a desk
Butterfly blanket

Today Brady reached 3 weeks old. Happy birthday-of-the-week to her! Her feeding has gone up a little more and she's continuing to gain weight. We can't say enough how excited we are about taking her home...one day. :) Two nights ago a nurse got Brady's footprints and they are so cute and tiny! I'm sure it's a feat getting a little preemie to sit still enough for one of those (yes, that was a 100% intended pun). We brought it home this evening and already have a plan for it.

On another pretty awesome note I received a little surprise after I returned to work from running an errand. In my chair was a really cute blanket with butterflies and a beanie baby. There was no card, name, or anything attached. So to the stranger who left that in my desk chair, thank you very very much! It's such a blessing to be loved by so many friends!

Nikkie and Erik smiling in the NICU as Erik holds three-week-old Brady against his chest under a white blanket
Our first family photo

Now for the really fun part! I was able to hold Brady tonight! I was bouncing around inside on the ride to the hospital. When we got there I could hardly wait any longer. Thankfully Brady was moved one section over yesterday. The section she was in was quite busy and the nurses had their hands full. Brady is now is a room with much fewer babies and because of that it's little quieter and cooler (just a hair). I don't know how the rotations work in the NICN so I don't know we'll have any of the 1st section nurses again. It'll be too bad if we don't because we liked them. Don't get me wrong though - the nurse Brady has tonight is great also.

I was so happy to get to hold my little girl for the first time. She's just so tiny and light. The picture of the three of us shows the scale of things really well. It's our first "family photo"! I uncovered Brady a little bit so you could see her. Most of the time we hold her she's fully covered with the exception of the top of her head. I hummed and sang a little to her and that was fun. I can't wait to bring her home! I've added one more picture of me holding her. It's a great one because of her hands and her expression. I can't help but give it the caption "Oh boy - this joker is gonna raise me!?!".

Three-week-old Brady on Erik's chest, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, one hand on her head, a feeding tube taped to her cheek
Oh boy!

"Oh boy - this joker is gonna raise me!?!"

Topics

Holding your preemieMilestones & celebrations

Comments

7 comments left on this post

  1. Iluska Lippke ·

    How beautiful! I'm so glad you got to hold her. She really looks just perfect in these pictures, her expression is priceless. Congrats mom and dad on a beautiful miracle.

  2. Erica ·

    Yes!!! That's great, Erik!!

    Beautiful family photo - you guys look so happy!!

  3. auntie kayla ·

    What a great looking bunch Brady belongs to. God has truly brought Brady and her family a long way with his grace. How awesome and mighty he is and will always be. I love my Brady girls and their guy.

    Love Aunt Gayle

  4. LeeAnn ·

    She is beautiful. Congrats! Shes a verry blessed baby to have such a wounderful family.

  5. Keith Albert ·

    Dear Nikkie and Erik it’s been a several days since I have had a chance to get on the page and read the updates on little Brady. I'm glad to hear that she is doing so well. I was really shocked by the one post of the user who was scalding the two of you. Being a parent I know exactly how the two of you feel. Even though Emily was full term Aimee and I went thru so much to have her and when we had to spend the first week of her life in the hospital it was very upsetting. I think of you guys everyday and continue to pray for Brady's continued improvement. I'm looking forward to the day I can meet her in person.

  6. ginny sanderlin ·

    so I haven't been keeping up with your blog as much as I should but I'm so happy to hear that y'all are doing well and that brady is doing well too. she is beautiful and soooo tiny. I'll be praying for everyone. :)

  7. Christy, Oct. 2008 mom ·

    Those pictures and words have me in tears. I'm so thrilled you got to hold her. She is beautiful!! You've done a great job with this blog.

    I admire that you are being proactive with her care, and want to know the answers, policies, reasons, updates, and ins and outs of everything. Your daughter deserves you being so involved! Keep expressing your feelings. You've inspired me.