Our Christmas Miracle-An Unexpected NICU Journey

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Our Unexpected NICU Journey

Christmas is usually cozy mornings, family traditions, and joyful chaos. Christmas 2016 our world changed. Our son was born twelve weeks early, and we began a journey we will never forget.

 A Pregnancy Full of Hope and Fear

This pregnancy, like the ones before it, was not easy.
After experiencing three heartbreaking miscarriages, I lived with a constant undercurrent of paranoia and stress. Every appointment, every symptom, every moment was wrapped in both hope and fear.

I was seeing both a high-risk doctor and a regular OB throughout the pregnancy due to my history of complications. I had ultrasounds every week which gave me a little bit of comfort and relief.

I have a bicornuate uterus, meaning my uterus is heart-shaped, and unfortunately, that can cause a baby to run out of room far earlier than normal. It’s why all of my babies have been on the tiny side, each born under 6 pounds, and they’re still small even today.

Because of everything we’d been through, we chose to wait until I hit the halfway point of my pregnancy before announcing it to anyone.
There was so much fear.
And yet, so much love.

A few weeks later, much earlier than anyone had hoped, our son was born on Christmas Day.

An Unexpected Turn

We were a few hours from home, celebrating Christmas with my in-laws, when I suddenly started bleeding around 2am. I was 28 weeks pregnant. We rushed to the nearest hospital, but they didn’t have the NICU level of care my baby would need. So I was transported over an hour and a half away by ambulance to a hospital in Dallas, Texas.

That Christmas Day, a few hours later, our tiny boy made his entrance into the world far earlier than we ever imagined weighing 2lbs 6oz. My Placenta had abrupted causing some complications and an emergency c-section.

A Brave Start

Born at 28 weeks gestation, our son was immediately admitted to the NICU, where he would stay for the next three months. It was terrifying. It was overwhelming. It was a blur of machines, beeping monitors, hope, and fear all wrapped up in one of the most unexpected holiday seasons of our lives.

A Christmas We’ll Never Forget

We had family come visit when they could, and they helped however possible, but most of those long days and nights were spent just the three of us… and our new little fighter.

That Christmas, we didn’t unwrap gifts or bake cookies.
Instead, we celebrated life.
Our son, our tiny unexpected miracle, was here. And he was fighting.

Now, years later, we still look back on that season with so much emotion. Gratitude.

Our NICU journey changed us.
The Ronald McDonald House supported us.
And that Christmas gave us the greatest gift we never expected.

The Gift of the Ronald McDonald House

In the middle of the chaos, we were introduced to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and we’ve never appreciated anything more.

They welcomed us like family. They gave us a safe place to stay, meals to eat, and community to lean on. With our daughter just 2.5 years old at the time, they also kept her busy, engaged, and smiling through a time she couldn’t fully understand.

• They gave her gifts.
• Hosted family nights.
• Provided snacks, warm meals, and moments of relief.

It was RSV season, so only one parent was allowed in the NICU at a time. That meant constant shift. One of us with our daughter, the other beside our newborn’s incubator. We barely saw each other, and we hardly slept. But we always had a bed to rest in and food to eat thanks to the Ronald McDonald House.

I truly don’t know what we would’ve done without them.

🏡 More Than a Place to Stay and It Felt Like Family

The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas wasn’t just a place to sleep, it was a true home away from home. They created a warm, supportive environment that made the toughest season of our lives feel a little softer, a little lighter, and a lot more human.

They celebrated kids’ birthdays every month, making sure each child felt special, even in the middle of medical appointments, travel stress, disabilities, and life away from home. Our daughter lit up every time a celebration rolled around.

There was an indoor playroom, an art room full of creativity, and a beautiful outdoor playground where the kids could be kids. It gave our daughter a sense of routine and joy while everything else felt uncertain.

But what really made it magical were the people. We met so many other families walking similar roads, some coming and going every month, others just starting their journey like us. We forged friendships that we will forever cherish. In the middle of uncertainty, we found community.

The volunteers who provided meals, planned activities, and showed up with kind hearts gave us more than food. They gave us rest, comfort, and moments of normalcy. Our kids felt so seen and loved, and we’ll never forget how much that meant.

We are so grateful for that experience and inspired to give back and just like others did for us. The kindness we received continues to live in our hearts, and now we hope to pass it on.

Our time at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas was nothing short of a blessing. They provided us with meals, a place to rest, and activities for our daughter during our son’s NICU stay for three whole months. Their support made an incredibly challenging time more manageable.

If our story resonates with you and you feel moved to help, consider supporting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Your donation can provide comfort and care to families facing medical crises far from home.

👉 Donate to Ronald McDonald House of Dallas

FAQ: Our Christmas Miracle-An Unexpected NICU Journey

Q: What is a NICU and why are babies admitted?
A: The NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) provides specialized care for premature babies or those born with medical complications who need extra support after birth.

Q: How do families cope with a NICU stay during the holidays?
A: It’s emotional and overwhelming. Many families rely on faith, support from nurses, family, and small holiday comforts to stay strong and hopeful.

Q: Can babies thrive after being in the NICU?
A: Yes. Many NICU graduates go on to grow, thrive, and live healthy lives, thanks to early intervention and specialized care during those critical first days and weeks.