Join me as we honor the more than 1 million babies worldwide who died this year because they were born too soon, and the 14 million more who struggle to survive
It’s amazing to me how much my views on prematurity change every year. Well, maybe that’s not right – I’ll always think that it sucks, but I guess the way I deal with it becomes different. This past year I’ve realized that having a preemie has made me more aware of also having a term baby. I’m constantly amazed by Quinn and what it’s like to be a mother that isn’t constantly worrying about milestones and catching up. She seems so advanced to me, but then I realize that she’s just following the “normal” path. I have to say it’s MUCH easier to be a parent this time around.
My journey with Emma is not something that I’ll ever forget. It’s shaped who I am, both as a mother and a person, and honestly I think it’s shaped who Emma has become as well. Our experience is with me every day, and while I don’t dwell on it, I’m not sure there is a day that goes by that I don’t think about it. I’m lucky to have reached a spot where I can reflect on the positive moments during that time, while also thinking of the, much more numerous, scary/terrifying/depressing/anxious thoughts. Obviously if given the choice I would have opted to forgo anything to do with prematurity, but I understand now it was our path and am no longer angry about it. I do still get sad, or jealous, when I think about how it could have been, but for the most part I’m at peace.
It’s hard not to be when you look at how far she’s come.
