30 Days of Brave | Raul & Santiago

“My boys were born at 29 weeks, weighing 2 lbs. 14 oz. and 2 lbs. 10 oz. 14 inches long.

No one really can prepare you for what it’s like to have your baby let alone two babies in the NICU.

I was so scared at how little they were and that I didn’t know when they could come home with me. My heart hurt for a long time. I didn’t know if it was my fault or understand that this was the absolute best for them. Going every day to see them made me so happy, yet so sad to see them hooked up to so many things.

It’s a roller coaster being in the NICU, one day they’re achieving something and the next they stepped back a little bit. Every day you’re hoping it’s a day closer that they get to come home! Raul got to come home after 2 1/2 months and finally being off of oxygen and breathing on his own. I was so happy yet so sad because his brother still had to stay there and I had to leave Raul at home to go see his brother. Finally after three months, which felt like an eternity, Santiago finally got to come home!

My boys have gone through so much already in such a short amount of time and every day they prove everyone wrong by showing them how strong they are and all the goals they are achieving. I’m so proud of them and I’m so thankful for the NICU.“ NICU Mama, Helena