Heather & Josie

She is the happiest and sweetest little babe. Logan and I are soaking up every second we have with her and try to not take a single thing for granted. She is a miracle from God, and we are so thankful God saw fit for us to be her parents. I genuinely believe that God helped prepare my heart for what was to come the night of that dream (and in other ways that would make the hair on the back of your neck stand up and give you goosebumps all over your body - but I’ll save those stories for another day). Though the road was long and scary, I knew deep in my heart that she would be okay and would eventually be home with us.

Pam FrascoJuly 21, 2022

A baby does not decide when it will be born.

Arthur came early because it was unsafe to stay inside me. It was unsafe for him and it was unsafe for me. Arthur came early because doctors saved us from a horrible situation before it got worse. Arthur came early and thrived, not because he was ready, but because a team of talented people helped him get ready for four weeks in the NICU.

Pam FrascoJuly 10, 2022

Your Day is Coming, Mama.

I distinctly remember the first time I saw him, delicately placed under a blanket of tubing and wires. He looked so fragile–like he could break at any given moment. I was afraid to touch him, for fear I would set off one of his dozen alarms the second my finger met his.
Then his nurse, Valerie, entered the room. Exuding an enviable level of calm and compassion, she assured me that everything would be okay. Guiding me with her soft, but empowering voice, I touched my son’s hand for the first time.
“Hi Eli, it’s your mommy. I love you, and I miss you.”

Pam FrascoJuly 6, 2022

1lb 14oz Fighter

Watching a tiny human take on the world with all the fight they can muster is an incredible thing to bear witness to. We're so grateful for modern medicine and for the team of neos, respiratory therapists, and incredible nurses who supported our sweet boy and made medical decisions that ultimately, allowed him to come home with his family. That experience changed all of us profoundly and I'm still working through some of the trauma four years later - but one of the really cool things that happened is that experience connected me to this amazing community of badass women and their fighters. I'm so humbled to have the privilege of learning about all your journeys.

Pam FrascoJune 21, 2022

Melissa's Story...

On this night, two years later, I took the girls up for bed. I sat in the gliding rocker in their sweet nursery, they each grabbed their blankets, and climbed up in my lap. We sang their favorite song, they quickly fell asleep in my arms, and it was pure bliss. As I reflect on how far we’ve all come, all the things that could have been, and all the things we have today, my heart truly is overflowing with joy.

Pam FrascoMay 20, 2022

I Don't Want to Visit You in the NICU.

Sometimes I can identify what part of grief I'm going through as we experience this moment-to-moment. Often it's sadness, anger, and denial. Sometimes I can accept it all for a little bit and it feels like a welcome reprieve. Whatever the feeling, I find that I am constantly reminding myself that even if it's an "ugly" feeling, they're all normal and they need their space to just be. So here it is, taking up space in my head and heart and just being.

Pam FrascoApril 6, 2022

Journaling and the NICU

I was never a writer before Arthur. I never felt like journaling clicked for me, I didn't "get it", I thought it felt clunky and awkward and even a little embarrassing, like I was "talking to myself".
The experience of carrying, delivering, and raising Arthur has completely changed my opinion of the practice and I am now a major supporter of writing as a means to manage big thoughts, scary feelings, and quickly changing circumstances.

Pam FrascoDecember 6, 2021

#30DaysofHope Day 23- Katrina

The saying that “it will all be a memory” is not entirely true. Yes, I am so grateful for Shea’s health, yet, I mourned the loss of a normal pregnancy and delivery. There are so many emotions tied to a Premature birth, and we just have to let ourselves feel them and go through them. These babies also deserve to know what they overcame and how resilient they are. I always say to my Shea, I pray the first 7 weeks of your life are the hardest you will ever face because you mastered it.

Pam FrascoNovember 23, 2021

#30DaysofHope Day 18- Alex

Sutton was in the NICU for 55 days. 55 days of having to drive back and forth just to be able to see our baby. It became exhausting and there were so many ups and downs along the way. Sutton’s main concern was that she was having desaturations with her oxygen levels especially during feedings. She never required oxygen during her NICU stay but had to have the CPAP and Nasal Cannula for air flow.

Pam FrascoNovember 18, 2021

#30DaysofHope Day 16 - Addie

Prematurity is not only a journey for baby, but also for mama. I feel so deeply connected to other women out there who have experienced preterm birth and the sense of support I get from organizations like Project NICU help to remind me I’m not alone.

Seeing your baby thrive after the NICU brings immeasurable joy, and appreciation for the smallest of milestones. Nothing is taken for granted, and I think that’s kind of beautiful.

Pam FrascoNovember 16, 2021

#30DaysofHope Day 14- Our Journey To Leo

I'll close with a quote I found inspiring while we were in the throes of our NICU journey. "I see your fear, and it's big. I also see your courage, and it's bigger. We can do hard things." - Glennon Doyle

Pam FrascoNovember 14, 2021

#30DaysofHope Day 8 - Kayla

I personally went through (and still somewhat going through) a very deep and dark depression. For a long time I didn’t know which way was up. Truth be told that’s what being a NICU parent is, going through a rollercoaster of emotions on a daily basis but there does come a time where that rollercoaster is only going uphill.

Pam FrascoNovember 8, 2021

#30DaysofHope Day 6 - Lyssa

From one NICU mama to another, have hope. Hold onto it fiercely. Have hope in your baby. Have hope in the nurses and doctors. Have hope in your futures and most importantly, have hope in yourself. You can do this, but don’t feel like you have to carry the load alone for if no one else has told you, I have your back.

Pam FrascoNovember 6, 2021

#30DaysofBrave Day 30- Taylor

September is NICU Awareness Month.
Up until recently, September simply signaled the start of my birthday month, the end of summer and the start of fall. Now, it has such a greater meaning to our family. Having a baby in the NICU is something no one can prepare you for. It is like a little club you don’t want to be apart of, but once you are, you are welcomed with open arms and support.

Pam FrascoSeptember 30, 2021

#30DaysofBrave Day 29- Jessi

This was easily the most difficult thing I've ever gone through; it's not natural for a mother to be separated from her baby. If it hadn't been for the amazing NICU staff and my rock solid support system we wouldn't have made it.

Pam FrascoSeptember 29, 2021

#30DaysofBrave Day 28- Katie

For those braving their NICU journey now – be brave in whatever way you can. It looks different for everyone. Sending strength, comfort, hope and prayers to you.

Pam FrascoSeptember 28, 2021

#30DaysofBrave Day 27 - Kelsey

Kelsey continues to show her bravery- reaching milestones we though would never be reached and laughing at limitations a diagnosis places on her. Quoting her NICU neonatologist at our 4 week family planning session, "If you would have told me that Kelsey would be where she is today, I wouldn't have believed you. She is nothing short of a miracle."

Pam FrascoSeptember 27, 2021

#30DaysofBrave Day 25 - Rowan & Ezra

The NICU is a scary place. You can feel the fear while walking past each room. But, each room also has a baby with so much light to share, a NICU team with so much strength, parents with so much bravery- whether they realize it or not.

Pam FrascoSeptember 25, 2021

#30Daysofbrave Day 24- Alyssa

Leaving her every night and being two ships passing in the night with my husband as we took turns staying with her, left our emotions running high and strong. Brynn was the continuous light that carried us through that experience and seeing her strength made us stronger. She is now 7.5 months old and doing so well! My heart is with all NICU parents this month and always

Pam FrascoSeptember 24, 2021

#30DaysofBrave Day 23- Lauren

I know the theme here is bravery, but truthfully I never felt brave .. not during our time in the NICU and still now as we continue to navigate all of the follow up appointments since discharge. But I suppose bravery comes in those small moments too … where you pick yourself up from a good cry on the nursery floor, or dry your eyes after a breakdown in the shower, or simply staying positive and hopeful despite not receiving great news at an appointment.

Pam FrascoSeptember 23, 2021

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