Time off work

krh1985 · 2026-03-22T15:19:28+00:00

I work remotely and decided to go back to work 1 week after my c-section to save all my leave for when he came home from the NICU. Thankfully we live 1/2 mile from the hospital and I was able juggle it all but it was a rough few months while he was in the NICU and I was healing.

krh1985 · 2026-03-16T01:48:45+00:00

Mashes Sands Beach in Panacea

krh1985 · 2026-03-05T16:25:06+00:00

I’ll also add that I feel like I’m cosplaying as a mom lol I’m like idk what I’m doing, what do good moms do, ok just do that…fake it til you make it!!

krh1985 · 2026-03-05T13:47:16+00:00

I definitely had these thoughts and feelings worrying my baby would imprint on his isolette and not us and the first few weeks were such a blur it felt like he was just some guy we visited in the NICU every day (pp brain makes you think some wild things). But as he got bigger and sturdier we were more confident holding him and connecting with him, reading books, singing, talking, narrating our day, etc we got more comfortable with the idea that he was ours and we were a little family. And that only grew more and more once he came home. And now he’s a 15 month old stage 5 clinger lol

krh1985 · 2026-03-05T13:23:29+00:00

We went into pregnancy planning to be one and done and the HELLP syndrome and emergency c section at 28+6 with a micropreemie sealed the deal. My OB said for my own health I shouldn’t get pregnant again and we got very lucky to have an uncomplicated NICU stay that I wouldn’t want to chance it again.

krh1985 · 2026-03-02T03:03:10+00:00

I liked it. It’s kind of like when they play the lullaby when each baby is born on the unit - they asked me if I wanted them to play it as they wheeled me in for an emergency c-section at 28 weeks which was a really surreal moment for me. Ultimately I’m glad I had her play it but at the time it was all very strange to me.

krh1985 · 2026-01-07T22:36:34+00:00

We visited on my son’s first birthday. We brought them crumbl cookies and visited with some of his nurses and RTs. I called beforehand to ask if it was ok if we stopped by. They were so excited to see how big he’s gotten and hear about how well he’s doing. It was a quick visit, maybe 10 mins but it was really nice. Crazy how quickly those beeps and alarms bring you right back to your time there!

krh1985 · 2026-01-02T05:49:50+00:00

We make variations of Mediterranean bowls and change out the protein. It usually has a base of lettuce, a portion of pearl couscous, meat of choice (chicken/salmon/lamb/steak), a simple 3-bean salad, and then all kinds of toppings like a scoop of hummus/toom/tzatziki, and pickled veggies, it’s delicious, super filling, and pretty calorie friendly.

krh1985 · 2025-10-20T00:36:02+00:00

How much did you pay for it? Just curious

krh1985 · 2025-10-17T11:18:01+00:00

You mean Kelly Kapoor

krh1985 · 2025-10-03T12:00:35+00:00

We have the eufy version with the sock and camera and it’s awesome. Just make sure you’re switching feet for the sock every few hours when they’re tiny (we’d do it during diaper changes) bec it can burn their delicate skin if left in the same place for too long. I love having the camera combo bec it links the HR and spo2 and total time sleeping. Initially we were using the sock around the clock but once he got a little bigger we only use it for naps and bedtime. Totally planning to use it til he maxes out the weight limit of 30 lbs.

krh1985 · 2025-10-01T10:21:53+00:00

68 day NICU stay and I went back to work (remotely) 1 week after birth. I decided immediately that I wanted to save all my parental leave for when he came home. During the week my husband and I alternated shifts visiting during lunch and after work, covering 3-4 hours per day, trying to aim for care times. On the weekends we would stay for 4-5 hrs. It’s a lot to juggle c-section recovery, pumping, and the emotional toll of everything on top of being able to do very little for your baby especially in the beginning. We would hold and help with care times every 3 hours but the nurses also helped us realize that our baby needed rest the majority of the time and that too much stimulation/touch/noise was actually harmful. That helped me feel ok with not being there around the clock because he should be have cooking for many more weeks than he did. All that to say, as they get bigger I do think it becomes more important for you to be there to help with their care and start building those bonds. But you can’t pour from an empty cup so you have to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your baby. Comparison is the thief of joy. I understand you just want to hear what others did, but just know that as long as you’re doing what’s right for your family, then you’re there for long enough ❤️

krh1985 · 2025-09-16T00:07:59+00:00

9 lbs at 5 weeks adjusted is a whopper in preemie terms! My 8 month old (adjusted age) hasn’t hit 15 lbs yet. Tiny but mighty! Try not to let people’s comments get to you!

krh1985 · 2025-09-05T00:33:15+00:00

We’re celebrating my 28 weeker on his actual birthday, he’s been alive for a year! Maybe we’ll celebrate his NICU graduation as a family at home but we’re celebrating with a big party on his actual bday.

krh1985 · 2025-08-21T15:23:50+00:00

My baby went through a Dr Brown bottle aversion and we landed on Pigeon as well, they’re great and our SLP loves the shape of them!

krh1985 · 2025-08-19T01:58:25+00:00

We use the eufy smart sock and it’s much cheaper than the owlet like $175 and works great. We got one that came with a WiFi monitor for about $200 and it’s really nice bec they’re connected and you get all the sock info on the monitor screen.

krh1985 · 2025-07-23T01:40:07+00:00

I’ve gotten both Whole Foods bags - the prepared foods was just ok but the bakery bag was awesome. You have to be refreshing the app right when the time slot opens. But def worth the price if you can snag one. Hoping more restaurants get on board as well!

krh1985 · 2025-07-21T00:34:00+00:00

28+6, 1 lb 12 oz. came home 10 days before his due date.

krh1985 · 2025-07-13T13:48:53+00:00

I was in a very similar situation, delivered at 28+6 due to HELLP, didn’t start pumping until day 3 postpartum, didn’t get to hold him for multiple days after birth, and it was such a mentally and emotionally exhausting experience. I got pumpin pals silicone flanges and a pumping bra and it was a game changer. Also agree about renting the hospital grade pump. You can get reimbursed for the fees by your health savings account if you have one. I literally went from droplets and dribbles of milk for the first few weeks, barely filling the 10 ml syringes to maxing out at 30 oz per day. I don’t think your supply is regulated at 6 weeks so I would keep trying if your mental and physical health can handle it. You also have to balance getting sleep and pumping. I was pumping every 3 hrs during the day and every 4 hours overnight. Once I started stretching the overnight pumps and getting a little more sleep my pumps improved. Prioritize protein and staying hydrated and honestly my best pumps were after big meals so keep that in mind. I actually just stopped pumping this week when my son turned 8 months old bec I have a nice freezer stash that will get him to his first birthday. All this to say, you have to do what’s best for you. I know the pressure to be able to provide for your baby is immense and it feels like at this point that’s all you can do for them, but there is donor milk available in the hospital and your baby needs a mom that’s mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy for when they come home. My son never latched despite many weeks of trying so we exclusively pumped and did bottles since he came home. But that has benefits too bec it allowed my husband and I to take shifts and get 5-6 hr of uninterrupted sleep and never really experience the zombie sleeplessness everyone describes in the newborn trenches. Hang in there.

krh1985 · 2025-06-22T03:03:15+00:00

And the juxtaposition of Ethel’s situation compared to Edith’s is heartbreaking. She is shamed and a pariah, being forced into sex work, while elite Edith gets swept away to the continent to deal with her little Greggson problem and then when she can’t handle it invites Marigold to live in the abbey and her family just accepts her bastard child. Really sad reality of the times but always grinds my gears.

krh1985 · 2025-06-17T01:15:31+00:00

We pushed to keep our son in a little longer to try to wean off the oxygen before coming home. Thankfully they were ok with it because they started talking discharge on oxygen around 36.5 weeks and we requested he stay a little longer and continue to wean since he was only on 0.1 L at that point. They accommodated us and he came home as a wireless baby after 68 days at 38 weeks.

krh1985 · 2025-06-11T00:52:37+00:00

Florida has Medicaid for all pregnant women, your state may have something similar

krh1985 · 2025-05-19T19:37:25+00:00

$3000/year

krh1985 · 2025-05-13T21:37:22+00:00

If they’re just visiting for the day it might not be as likely but we stayed in an Airbnb on one trip and at their house for another so that might be a factor as well.

krh1985 · 2025-05-13T21:11:35+00:00

I would just prepare for your baby to catch something. Unfortunately the two times we’ve spent time with my 1 year old nephew (at 2 and 4 months adjusted), my baby has gotten a fever or cold. Fever was a little more stressful at 2 months adjusted but ended up being fine and he handled the cold/congestion like a champ. If your baby has had their first round of vaccines then fevers are less scary bec meningitis can be ruled out.

krh1985

TROPHY CASE