Love, Kirsten

“Dear NICU Mama, As another year comes to a close, I hope you celebrate this new version of yourself.

The NICU shaped you into the warrior mother you are. Fierce, courageous, and confident. Walking each day into the unit and into the unknown. You are the steady constant for your baby. Stronger than you imagined you could be.

You are different than the mother you were before the NICU. Maybe, different than the mother you always pictured you’d be. Grieving that version of yourself is okay, mama. You shouldn’t have had to be this brave. But here you are, stronger and braver than you imagined.

I hope you celebrate and embrace this new version of yourself. Forged through fire, your strength and tenacity shines through.”

Love,
Kirsten

More of Kirsten, Luka, + Evelina’s NICU story:

“My twins, Luka and Evelina were born November 25, 2022 at 27 weeks and 4 days due to a placental abruption. They were delivered via an emergency c-section at 4:16am, Luka was born weighing 2lbs 8.9oz, Evelina weighing 1lb 15oz. 

After their birth the twins went straight to the NICU where they were intubated. My husband was able to visit them, however I was so unstable from blood loss after the c-section I was unable to visit them until 10pm that night. 

Our NICU stay lasted right around 12 weeks, Luka was in the NICU for 83 days and Evelina 86 days. We were home together for the first time as a family of four the day before their due date. 

Luka and Evelina just celebrated their first birthday. They are active, happy, smart babies. We feel so fortunate to have had such a fantastic NICU team taking care of us and to have two healthy babies home with us.”