It's only just begun...

Okay, the title of this post suggests that my journey as a premature parent has just begun, but really I am talking about the blog itself.

I admit, I should have started this blog a few months ago, but the list is as follows when your baby is in the NICU:
1) Is my baby okay?!
2) Is my other child okay?
3) Poop
4) Breastmilk
5)Poop

Nowhere on the list is "get on the computer and start a blog." So, sorry it is a little late.

Premature parent, you ask? Well, literally I was due with my daughter, Melody, in June and she is so awesome that she couldn't wait another day and made her debut 2 1/2 months early. Yep, that's right I was 29 weeks and 6 days pregnant. So, that makes me the parent of a premature child. See... Premature Parent.

Figuratively, my adventures as a Premature Parent began when my son, Marhsall, was born almost 4 years ago (Holy crap. Does that really say 4?). While pregnant with my son, I read all kinds of books and prepared myself for his arrival. I was going to have a wonderful pain- free birth, had a written birth plan, and had my clothes packed months in advance with cute little nursing pajamas. Except one thing Marshall apparently did not agree with my birth plan and his arrival, much like his sister's, came a little earlier than expected. I was unprepared to be unprepared for an early delivery at 37 weeks and 4 days (not to mention the best 1st wedding anniversary gift EVER! Top that Hubs). I became a metaphorical Premature Parent (even though Marshall was only 5 pounds at birth and was more like a preemie for a while).

Marshall with his "chicken wing" in the NICU. 

My son's 10 day stay in the NICU did, however, prepare me (little bit) for my daughter's 2 month stint. We became regulars at the hospital... both times. I don't, however, recommend having babies early just so you can get used to the hospital in case another of your babies has to stay longer.

Nothing with either child turned out like I hoped it to. Although, with Melody I was a little less anal about "the plan." I prepared myself to be unprepared the second time around, but really how prepared can you be to have a baby, even when you think you are 100% ready? I figured we had a crib and some clothes and we were as ready as we were ever going to get (even with a 2 month grace period we were still not ready for her homecoming no matter how hard we tried). Everything else would fall into place.

Melody just after she was born hooked up to her C-Pap.

I'm not sure this blog is even going to be read or if it is going to be any good, but so far I have had some pretty crazy adventures and thought I would write them down (a. To remember them... I have a horrible case of mommy-mush brain and b. So, that maybe some other Premature Parents could see that they are not the only ones on the crazy train... I am pretty sure my train has derailed in crazy town and will not be making a return trip). As a mother completely running the show by the seat of her pants, I implore you to come and bask in our insanity and read as I deal with unexpected.