One

So our precious baby boy turned ONE today! I am so proud of Greyson. Has it really been a year? Honestly, the stress, heartache, grief and strait turmoil seemed to last forever but these last 8 months with Grey home have flown by. Sure the first month we had Grey home was exciting to say the least, especially the episodes of “stopped breathing” when he would choke on his bottle and turn blue. Or the moments in the night when I would jump out of bed and run to the crib to check his breathing… I’m positive my heart skipped a few beats and I recently found a few gray hairs :)

I’ve learned a few things this last year. Artificial surfactant is the best invention! A supportive family can carry you through your toughest battle. A 1 pound 10 ounces baby born at the edge of viability can and will defy the odds! NICU nurses are very important. There will be moments in your life when you realize that everything you weighed as important suddenly becomes weightless. Life is a gift, not a burden or entitlement. A baby’s laugh at the end of a long workday makes everything okay. “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

I want to say Thank You to all our wonderful Family & Friends who walked with us through this difficult journey… for never giving up hope that Greyson would thrive and come home. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Mr. Man

Looking like a big boy!

The Crew

We took Grey Grey to the doctor today- he has been acting pretty miserable this week. Furthermore, he's been coughing, puking and rubbing his ears. Well, I find out today that he has a double ear infection! I feel horrible. I've definitely noticed the rubbing of the ear- one side in particular but I didn't think he was in pain. This is what happens when you have such a wonderful baby with a great overall disposition.

I am now concerned with another issue- Grey only weighed 15 pounds 5 ounces. I recently weighed him on our family scale and it read 15 pounds 3 ounces and I just knew the scale was off- nope it was pretty accurate after all. I just feel this is very light for a 12 month old... even taking into consideration his prematurity. We have our appt with the preemie follow-up clinic next week so I am eager to hear their opinions regarding the topic of weight.

In the above picture: Grey, Maine and Taylor

Meet Greyson

So our March for Babies video has generated Grey Grey some publicity lately. I recently met with Jessica Ennis, Publications Editor, with Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. She wanted to know a little more about our miracle baby after seeing the photo of him on their website and viewing our video. We had a very nice interview and there were definitely moments when I was choking back tears… this is the first time in months that I have allowed myself to revisit our NICU memories… these always come back with a rush of intense emotions. Seriously, I had forgotten the weeks surrounding Grey’s PDA and the looming heart surgery to correct the opened vessel- those days seemed to last forever. I remember having to leave Grey’s bedside several times because I was so sick with fear. And the odd feeling of constant exhaustion when all I had been doing was sitting next to his isolette all day. There were times when I thought I would have to crawl to my car- my body and mind were in two different places.

Talking to Jessica was very easy. She has a little one at home and easily sympathized with our NICU journey. I think she began to cry before me. I don’t meet a lot of people who can immediately relate to our experience and finding that special someone is always nice.

Well, here is the story published on the VCH website. Just click "Meet Greyson" and it will take you to the page.

You can also go to the homepage of the VCH website and find our story here as well. Go to the bottom of the page to "meet our patients" and you will see a pic of Grey.

The babies playing outside

Maine giving Grey Grey a ride!

20/20

We had our final eye appointment last week. Final to me means that we have no future appointments with the eye doctor! Although Grey is at high risk for vision complications his eyes look great at this time! Our ophthalmologist mentioned that he has been involved in a study that monitors prematurity and vision complications. He let me know that if a 25 weeker can make it to this stage without complications his eyes are equivalent to a full term baby.

Our next appointment is a hearing screen. Then we have our one-year visit with the preemie follow-up clinic.

Grey is now saying “momma, go go, and duck” He is 12 months old this March and still no teeth. Which is fine with me. He is a happy boy!

Please Help Me In The FIGHT Against Prematurity

Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. I'm walking in March for Babies because I believe in their vision. I am walking in March for babies because as you all know, Grey was born 15 weeks early one year ago. I want to join in the fight against prematurity and infant mortality. Greyson is a miracle and I learned through our journey that many micropreemies do not survive the battle.

Please support my walk. Making a secure donation is easy: just click the 'sponsor me' button on the left side of this page. Thank you for helping me give all babies a healthy start!



I know some of you plan to walk with us and I am so excited... this means so much to me!

VCH Website

Look who is on the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital Website:

http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.org/interior.php?mid=836

A picture of our sweet boy on the NICU page. Matthew took this picture during our stay- one of my favorites.

TEIS

TEIS- TN Early Intervention Services

Last Thursday Grey was seen by an “early intervention specialist” at our home. I called a few weeks ago requesting a visit not because I identified a particular need- I simply wanted to confirm that we are utilizing all the resources available to Grey. He is such a beautiful little boy that we can easily forget that he was born too soon. Being born 15 weeks early at the edge of viability opens the door to countless medical conditions that can arise from such trauma. We definitely encountered many battles in the beginning- however, Grey has taken a different path. Somehow we are beating the odds. Often times I ask myself “how have we gotten here?” The medical path of a mircopreemie is unknown and totally unpredictable. Grey went from being one of the sickest babies in the NICU to one of the healthiest.

So the interventionist specialist was very impressed with Mr. Grey. She said she wasn’t expecting him to be crawling and climbing up stairs. It didn’t take her long to conclude that he is right on track for his age. He passed every area of evaluation. She also mentioned that unpredicted medical paths of preemies. Saying she evaluates preemies born at 30 weeks who are blind, deaf and battling CP. Then she meets preemies like Grey born at 25 weeks who are moving along like a full term baby. All I can say is the unknown is a scary place.