Part 1 of 8
Meeting Elias
Elias arrived two months early at 4 lbs 3 oz. This is Part 1 of an 8-part real-time series following his NICU journey, from his parents' first update to coming home.
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NICU Adoption
Placing or Adopting a Baby From the NICU
Bonding with your baby in the NICU before placement is a personal choice, not a wrong one, many birth mothers find it brings peace rather than complicating their decision.
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NICU Articles & Elias's Story
Follow Elias's 8-part NICU journey, from his first days to coming home.
Part 2 of 8
The Long Road to Elias
Before Elias, Cherrie and Brad faced fertility treatments, miscarriages, a pandemic-era home study, and a birth mother who chose to parent instead. This part covers the road that led them here.
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Part 3 of 8
Too Tiny to See His Face
Cherrie's first glimpse of her impossibly small son, and the moment of connection that told her they belonged to each other.
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Part 4 of 8
Skin-to-Skin, Kangaroo Style
Four days old, bilirubin scores improving, breathing machine off, and Elias making it clear he has preferences about who changes his diaper.
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Part 5 of 8
Still in the NICU, Needs Lights
Five days old, meeting grandparents for the first time, and earning the nickname "little Houdini" for his talent at wriggling free of monitors.
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Part 6 of 8
Ten Days Old
Milestones and speed bumps, a new "spaceship" bed with light therapy, and steady, hard-won progress.
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Part 7 of 8
Two Weeks Old
Elias graduates to a big-boy bed and bottle, and the feeding tube milestone that means he's getting closer to home.
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Part 8 of 8
Leaving the NICU
One month old and finally heading home, the series finale, with the NICU nurses sending him off with hugs.
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For Birth Mothers
Is It Wise for a Birth Mother to Bond With Her Baby in the NICU?
Bonding with your baby in the NICU before placement is a personal choice, not a wrong one, many birth mothers find it brings peace rather than complicating their decision.
There is no single right answer about NICU bonding, what matters is that the choice is yours to make, with support either way.
Elias's NICU Journey
From the NICU to Home, in 8 Parts
A real-time series written by his parents, following Elias from his first update to the day he went home.
Part 1 of 8: Meeting Elias
Elias arrived two months early at 4 lbs 3 oz. This is Part 1 of an 8-part real-time series following his NICU journey, from his parents' first update to coming home.
“He may be tiny, but he is sure mighty! ... We always imagined what parenthood would be like, and it's more than we could have ever imagined.”
Full detailsPart 2 of 8: The Long Road to Elias
Before Elias, Cherrie and Brad faced fertility treatments, miscarriages, a pandemic-era home study, and a birth mother who chose to parent instead. This part covers the road that led them here.
“You have to listen to your heart and soul and trust God... You have to find your patience.”
Full detailsPart 3 of 8: Too Tiny to See His Face
Cherrie's first glimpse of her impossibly small son, and the moment of connection that told her they belonged to each other.
“We went over and touched his chest. Our little Elias took his hand, encircled our fingers, and held us to his chest.”
Full detailsPart 4 of 8: Skin-to-Skin, Kangaroo Style
Four days old, bilirubin scores improving, breathing machine off, and Elias making it clear he has preferences about who changes his diaper.
“I only stay calm when mommy changes me. If those nurses do it, I'm not a happy camper.”
Full detailsPart 5 of 8: Still in the NICU, Needs Lights
Five days old, meeting grandparents for the first time, and earning the nickname "little Houdini" for his talent at wriggling free of monitors.
“Grandpa calls me his little glow worm and little Houdini because I'm squirmy, and I magically find ways to break free.”
Full detailsPart 6 of 8: Ten Days Old
Milestones and speed bumps, a new "spaceship" bed with light therapy, and steady, hard-won progress.
“Daddy said it's my cool spaceship!”
Full detailsPart 7 of 8: Two Weeks Old
Elias graduates to a big-boy bed and bottle, and the feeding tube milestone that means he's getting closer to home.
“The doc says I'm really excelling at my milestones! ... Once I get to 20 percent, I get my feeding tube out!!”
Full detailsPart 8 of 8: Leaving the NICU
One month old and finally heading home, the series finale, with the NICU nurses sending him off with hugs.
“I broke free of the NICU. Yahoo... all my nurse friends came to say goodbye and gave me lots of hugs.”
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FAQ - Simple
Frequently Asked Questions
It might, and that's okay, the point of this time is clarity, not a test of your resolve either way.
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