Child's Birth Year
2020

State/Province/Territory
Illinois

NICU Hospital for my journey
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center - Peoria, IL

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Born via c-section at 29 weeks weighing 1 lb 13 oz. He needed biPAP, light therapy, and a dark low stimulation room in the beginning. They say that girls tend to do better in the NICU but Asher was there to prove them wrong, something about is fluorescent orange hair helped. There were a few set backs including needing oxygen longer than anticipated, a lot of trouble with feeding and gaining weight, and some kidney concerns. I spent as much time as I could holding him and encouraging him. All in all he stayed 66 days, finally coming home weighing 4lbs. Today he is 5 is insanely smart, has a big love for tractors, and is the funniest kid I’ve ever met. He’s my tiny boy!

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
Everything, it sounds so silly but truly. He is so smart, his memory astounds me. I cannot believe the things he says to me sometimes. If you ask him where he was when he was born he will tell you “in an incubator!” He’s so sweet and kind, everything he does amazes me.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
1lb 13 oz

Weeks Gestation
29 weeks

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