Preemie Power 2015

Today is National Prematurely Day. A couple of years ago, this day wouldn't have meant anything to me, in fact, I probably wouldn't have even known it existed. Before my quints were born, I really didn't know many premature babies, that I was aware of. I may have known some born a little early, but no one that had lengthy NICU stays or any children suffering long term disabilities due to prematurely. However, all that changed in October 2013 when we found out we were expecting higher order multiples. There was no doubt they'd be born prematurely, the question was how premature would they be. Our big goal was to make it to at least 28 weeks. Thankfully, I was able to stay pregnant 29 weeks 1 day. They were born 11 weeks premature. We had a lengthy NICU stay and we live with the effects of them being born prematurely everyday, but overall, they are all relatively healthy and they are thriving. I contribute the quints all being alive and healthy to the power of prayer. We had so many people praying for us during my pregnancy and when they were in the NICU; I can't tell you how comforting it was to know so many people were talking to God about us. Our struggles from pregnancy, to NICU, to today have only strengthened my faith in just how big and great our God truly is; He is bigger than the best doctors and medicine this world has to offer. I'm so thankful for all the doctors and nurses who took care of me during my pregnancy with the quints. God led us to the right people. I can't say enough good things about the entire staff at the Baylor NICU. They saved our precious babies' lives. They took such good care of each baby (and me too). But mostly, they loved our babies. I can't tell you how scared I was to be discharged from the hospital after giving birth to the quints. I was so worried about leaving them with people I didn't know when they were so vulnerable, but I quickly learned, these were no ordinary nurses, these were no ordinary people, NICU nurses are the epidemy of a true hero. They save lives every single day. And of course I'm biased but we had the very best NICU nurses.

During the dark days of experiencing miscarriage after miscarriage, God knew He had something big planned for us. He was preparing us for the biggest challenge of our lives: parenthood X's 6!! That still sounds funny to me, that I'm a mom of SIX sweet kiddos.

This picture was taken the day Brant was released from the NICU. A few days later, Rayleigh would become very sick and almost die. Life in the NICU is much like a roller coaster. One day everything is good and great things are happening, and the next, the whole world can come crashing down around you.
They are in birth order (l to r): Mia, Tessa, Brant, Gracie, & Rayleigh