An hour deep into an endless bedtime and he was perfecting his somersault. Exhausted and yearning for five minutes of quiet, I gave up and let him play until his never-ending energy ran out a bit more.
He moved his circus act to my computer chair and insisted on a “Baby Movie.”
My sigh was met with a library of videos that buried me in memories.
Seconds into the first clip, I was reminded of the feist and spirit and will of my little boy’s heart.
I curled him into my arms, tucked his blonde head under my chin and basked in gratitude for the precious life sitting on my lap.
Today is World Prematurity Day. Take a moment to visit the March of Dimes and find out what you can do to help.
As a family, we will be dedicated to preventing premature birth for the rest of our lives…
because thank you just isn’t enough.
You might also like...
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
I'm Jessica, 30-something mom to five, four in my arms and one in my heart.
Beautiful. And such a great reminder about a wonderful charity. I think everyone has been touched by premature birth in some way.
Making It Work Mom recently posted..Why I am a Parenting Genius…
Tears. Love. Joy. Beauty. Oh that little boy. My mother heart.
tracy recently posted..Why I’m Not a Victoria’s Secret Model
Twitter: sellabitmum
I honestly could spend my day watching that video over and over. That video amazes me every time I watch. Even as his mom I forget how small he was.
Oh my heart, oh my tears. xo
Galit Breen recently posted..My Life’s Seven Wonders
Twitter: galitbreen
Thanks for the early morning cry! Such a beautiful video and such familiar sights. The wires, the dings, the little velcro patches on the side of the head for the bili mask. Sigh. It was like a lifetime ago…and like yesterday.
Leigh Ann recently posted..Happy Prematurity Awareness Day
Twitter: latorres
Amazing. He was so small… thank you for sharing. My eyes are full of tears but my heart is full of amazement. A little boy who was truely meant to be.
Maija @ Maija’s Mommy Moments recently posted..I Know You’re Drunk
Twitter: MommyMoments
Oh such a beautiful baby and now boy. A true miracle.
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..Literally, Mom
Twitter: MamaWantsThis
Eyes filled with tears.
My 3 were born early, after being on bedrest for months. Even with medication and a cerclage: still born early. The sounds of the NICU…I’ll hear them forever.
Miracles.
I love them so much b/c we were told early on 50/50 for each one.
I love them so much.
Alexandra recently posted..Sometimes, I Get It Right
Twitter: gdrpempress
Love the video and the little guy starring in it! You’re so lucky to have those early moments captured. We weren’t allowed to have video cameras in the NICU…
P.S. Lucian said “baby” as we watched it.
I have no idea why we were allowed to have video cameras because they were so strict about everything else but thank goodness we were. Aww, miss that Lucian.
Oh my. ever amazed at the strength of you and other mothers who have been in your shoes. but in the same moment i know that you just “do.” you just find a way, i guess. because as mothers we have no other choice.
He was a beautiful baby and is a gorgeous boy.
Krista recently posted..I don’t even know what my point was
Twitter: notmommyofyear
Watching these videos I do wonder how we did this each day and watched our babies in such critical condition but as you said, we just \”do\” because they are our children and we wouldn\’t have it any other way.
Sweet little baby. He’s come a long way. A good reminder that our children’s lives are so beautiful and precious.
Rach (DonutsMama) recently posted..So How’d You Meet? Emmy & Eric
I have no words, just tears. So powerful, beautiful, and important. xo
Kristen @ Motherese recently posted..The Five Year Plan
Twitter: Motherese
Tears. Parker is a little miracle to be celebrated on this day and every day! And I loooove that song…
Mrs. Weber recently posted..My Mom Purse – Help!
Twitter: laurenweber84
it always amazes me how much these little ones can overcome…
Not a Perfect Mom recently posted..The Question of the Day
Twitter: notaperfectmama
Oh, the tears. What a beautiful moment. Thanks for sharing.
Jenn recently posted..I Love You, I Hate You – Please Don’t Leave Me
Twitter: librajenn
Look at that amazing big boy! What a blessing!
Ali recently posted..WTF Wednesday – The "He Learned It From a Book" Edition
Twitter: suitcasetricks
Love!
That is all, just love.
And you touch my heart.
Jen recently posted..Magical Parenting Power
Thanks so much Jen. So amazing to look back.
Oh my. My heart melts. My Monster was 5 weeks early and a robust 6 lbs. We were so blessed. He was only in NICU for 48 hours but they were the longest 48 hours of my life. 77 days! I cannot imagine.
Alyssa @NearNormalcy recently posted..How writing is like cake decorating.
Twitter: nearnormalcy
I am so sorry, but I couldn’t watch the whole video. Something about seeing a preemie that just brings a rush of emotions all over again. Even the preemies on Grey’s have me in tears!!
Preemies are such special babies.
Thanks for sharing a little bit of your little one’s story!
Sam
Samantha recently posted..Roxy & World Prematurity Day
Thank you so much for watching as much as you could. I always have a hard time watching too, it is amazing what they have overcome.
He is truly a miracle! love!
Barbara recently posted..My 7 Wonders
Twitter: babspinfrance
I give to MOD every year. I know too many mothers like you not to. God bless you and your feisty little fighters.
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..I’m Only Here to Show Off
Twitter: SaidKristin
Goosebumps. Never fails. Every time I come here, I get them. This was beautiful.
*sniff*
Charlotte recently posted..ghosts
Twitter: MyPixieBlog
Beautiful!! Thank you for the reminder about this important day!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation recently posted..Napa Valley Film Festival
Twitter: mommyneedsvaca
Thanks for sharing your little guy. It’s so amazing how teeny he is and how full of gorgeous energy he is now
Twitter: angelaamman
Such a tiny body, so much strength, and I know the people he drew it from. Two amazing parents and an angel from above. This brought back so many memories.
That was awesome…
Kate F. recently posted..Breathing is Living
Twitter: katefineske
What a beautiful post and reminder.
Ann recently posted..Corn, Bacon and Green Onion Tart
Twitter: AnnHolly
Oh the tears. What a beautiful baby he was and amazing boy he’s become. He’s a blessing.
Kimberly recently posted..I’m Not Perfect
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
Oh my heart…Jessica..wow!!!! I know when I see the videos and the ultrasound pictures of my babies my heart somersaults. I am so lucky…we are so lucky and because I know the joy of bringing home your babies after you fought so hard for them…this truly made me tear up with happy tears for our “dreams come true” xoxo
Kir recently posted..TRDC:Smile While I Wait
Twitter: thekircorner
How tiny he was then and what a big boy he has become. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Mommy’s Paradise recently posted..Surviving the bug and diggin’ the dirt
Twitter: mommysparadise
What a very long way he has come!
Shell recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: Holly’s House
You certainly have a way with words. bless his sweet little heart.
Amanda Austin recently posted..Celebrity Roundup: So true! So false!
Twitter: amandaaustin
Oh. The verklemptedness.
It truly is unbelievable what these little rock stars endured.
Owen asks to see videos and pics of him in the ICU sometimes. It usually ends up with me crying and him comforting me.
Ack. I’m crying.
tulpen recently posted..In Which All Is Right With The World
Twitter: tulpenelefanten
Isn\’t it amazing? I was a blubbering mess watching the videos in order to edit this one together. I see the clips and wonder how in the world we actually got through this and watched our babies struggle for life every day.
So amazing. What a little miracle. And thanks for reminding us of such an important day.
christine recently posted..…in which I tell you of my marker love
Twitter: anditislove
So beautiful. thank you for sharing with us.
Devan @ Accustomed Chaos recently posted..Being a Mom is Tough Enough So Why the Competition?
Twitter: AccustomedChaos
I can hardly take that. But I’ve watched it like eight times.
Jamie recently posted..if i could turn back time | mamamash
Twitter: chosenchaos
Thank you for reminding me that it was World Prematurity Day. Take care.
Lanie recently posted..Sweet Sawyer
Your writing always touches me so deeply…moves me so powerfully. Love this.
XLMIC recently posted..If you want to make progress, you have to actually start…
Twitter: xlmic
Perhaps “Thank you” isn’t enough; but your gratitude is so much more than that.
And Parker is so much more than an inspiration.
Forever a miracle, indeed.
julie gardner recently posted..Today call me short
Beautiful. So tiny and beautiful. Thinking of you. xoxo
Practical Parenting recently posted..Blogger Holiday Cookie Swap
Twitter: katiefhurley
I have tears in my eyes. This is a beautiful post. I love what the March of Dimes does and have donated many times. This year will be no different.
Hugs to you, my dear sweet friend and your beautiful boy.
Tonya recently posted..An Inherited Love
Twitter: letters4lucas
Completely blessed! I have two miracles that I Thank God for daily, even though my premie was 7 lbs 13 oz at 32 weeks!
Parker is absolutely precious!
Erin recently posted..I miss that the most….
Twitter: ErinsMiracles
7lbs at 32 weeks? Wow! My youngest was 5 lbs. 2 oz. at 34 weeks.
I don’t know how else to say this . . . this is so beautiful! You are amazing!
What a precious little boy. And such an amazing journey.
I need to remember that coming here requires tissues. You write so beautifully, Jessica.
Angie @ The Little Mumma recently posted..2011 in 12
Thanks so much Angie, it has been great connecting with you this year.