Child's Birth Year
2025

State/Province/Territory
Texas

NICU Hospital for my journey
Texas Health Presbyterian - Denton

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Stevie came into this world six weeks early via C-section after PPROM. Her first days were spent in the NICU with a CPAP bubble, jaundiced, on oxygen, with a feeding tube and multiple rounds of antibiotics. Our little Squeaker was tiny—but mighty. Nurses would often stop by just to tell us how feisty she was.

The NICU was the scariest, longest, and loneliest chapter of our lives. Every day brought a new update—her weight, jaundice levels, how much more they’d increased her feeds. It felt like a constant cycle of “she’s doing well, but we need more.” The finish line always seemed just out of reach.

Then one day, Stevie let us know she was ready. During a feeding with mama, she pulled out both her IV and feeding tube—then calmly finished her first full breastfeeding session. She had never done that before.

A few days later, the cords were gone. No more alarms, no more machines. We spent our first night alone with her, doing all her care ourselves, soaking in every exhausted minute of cuddles. The next morning, we passed the car seat test—a huge hurdle for my anxious mama heart.

And just like that, we finally brought our girl home.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
I’m so proud of how far Stevie has come. After all the warnings about potential delays—cognitive, developmental, physical—it’s incredible to watch her explore and learn from the world around her. Every day, her strength and determination amaze me.

She hasn’t let the challenges of being a preemie slow her down one bit. And believe me—she’ll make sure you know it. Our little warrior has a powerful set of lungs and a spirit to match. Her expressive little face, her sweet personality, and her love for snuggles make her absolutely unforgettable.

I can’t wait to see how she continues to defy every expectation and carve her own beautiful path.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
5 lbs 12 oz

Weeks Gestation
34 weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Number of Days, Months, or Years)
9 days