I never thought I’d end up a mommy blogger. A world-famous Newbery Medal recipient, sure – but it instead appears my writing talents have headed down the road less traveled.
My first trimester was rough – not just morning sickness, all day arfing sickness. I had just started a new job in December 2009, so being green on the job took on a whole new meaning. In January, we found out our family was growing a bit faster than expected. Twins were due in August. In March, we learned our little muppets were two boys. I was finally feeling good.
“I think I’ll start a blog,” I decided one afternoon. I signed myself up on WordPress and there my page template sat for several weeks. No magical article-writing elves appeared to tell my story, so I sat myself down and announced to the global online community that Double Trouble was coming to town. I figured this blog would be a single source location for family and friends. I could sporadically post clever little anecdotes and event photos.
On April 13, I posted an article shouting from the rooftops that I was officialy having a normal pregnancy. Two weeks later, my world turned upside down. I started writing more and more – detailing and journaling my experience on bedrest and ultimately as an ante-partum patient in the hospital as I prayed for healthy twins.
Jon and I became parents on May 28, 2010. Our precious muppets were born weighing 2 pounds 3 ounces and 2 pounds 2 ounces. I held Search in my arms for no more than 10 seconds after his birth. I watched Destroy get wheeled out of the operating room wrought with tubes and encased in a plastic incubator.
They were born 12 weeks too soon. And then I passed out.
I didn’t get to meet my muppets the day they were born. I spent hours shivering uncontrollably in a recovery room – demanding water from a nurse who tried my patience to its last nerve by insisting on following medical protocol instead of catering to my thirsty whims. Five hours after they were born, Jon was indoctrinated into life as a NICU parent. He was crying when he came back, but he reported they were doing amazingly well. There were so many wires…
The next day, I learned why people believe in love at first sight. Our nurses and doctors were cautiously optimistic. The muppets were all I could think about. So throughout the next 10 weeks, I took to the Web – sharing my thoughts, feelings and fears to anyone who may happen upon here. As I talked to people and shared our story, it seemed everyone knew someone who was premature. Suddenly, my new normal was “preemie parenthood.” Term babies seemed jumbo and odd.
I scoured the Internet looking for any and all information on the hospital jargon being thrown at me. I became a mother on a mission. My boys were coming home healthy if I had to get a medical degree to do it. The NICU staff laughed. “When you leave here, we’ll be sending you home part parent, part nurse.”
I never thought prematurity would be the cause I’d get behind. I did everything I was supposed to, but fate/humanity had other ideas and life isn’t fair. My body was broken but my boys are fighters.
The muppets are big giant boys now. They’re toddlers. They’re laughing now (and having a grand old time spitting rice cereal raspberries) and it’s hard to remember how tiny they truly were when we first started our journey home.
I’m proud to be a preemie-parent. And I’m proud to be the mom to such nifty NICU grads. So I write about them. I blog about amusing anecdotes as they grow up; I write about life as a preemie mom, a twin mom and a crazy mixed up grown-up in the Silicon Valley.
I’m writing a book about it too.
interesting. i know exactly what you went through, the feelings and all. my daughter was born 14 weeks early. now she’s three, doing great; very healthy but of course there are some setbacks: developmental delay etc.
i’m sure to be coming back here 🙂
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I can totally relate to infuriating nurses! I had a few for my first delivery. They really do make all the difference in the whole process. The second time the nurses were the most amazing people ever and made everything so much easier. Thanks for sharing your story at the Mother’s Day Childbirth Story Blog Hop! Btw, I’m in the Silicon Valley, too!
We just completed the March of Dimes for preemies! Your post makes the March seem so much more meaningful….It must have been terrible to not see your babies right away- or to have to keep them in the NICU for extended stays- But, I’m glad you’ve found a purpose in it- to help others! Great on your book! Thanks for linking up to our Mother’s Day Blog Hop!
Hi Tricia
Thanks for your great writing and entertaining me. As such I’m nominating your for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. My post regarding the award is at http://thecubicleviews.com/2013/02/12/is-that-good-inspirational-or-bad-inspirational/. The rules are simple:
1) Display the Award on your blog
2) Announce your win with a post
3) Present the award to at least seven (but no more than 15) other deserving bloggers and include their links
4) Inform those bloggers of their award.
5) post seven interesting things about yourself.
Thanks!
Hi! I was sent over to you by Jessi from Life with Jack. My preemie was born in October at 24w5d and has been home for 10 weeks. I just started a blog for him chronicling our life post NICU. I love connecting with other preemie bloggers and parents. I look forward to reading through some of your older posts and getting caught up!
“I never thought prematurity would be the cause I’d get behind. I did everything I was supposed to, but fate/humanity had other ideas and life isn’t fair. My body was broken but my boys are fighters.”
I think you just summed up my thoughts on preemie motherhood in three sentences. Amazing. I currently have six-month-corrected twins who were born at 25 weeks thanks to my own broken body, so I’m really looking forward to hearing about your journey (especially since you’re so far ahead of me on it!). Thanks for writing.
Welcome to the club! Sorry you’ve had to join the sorority, but double trouble starts early 🙂 Congrats on your twins and again, welcome to the ride.