Love, Molly

“Dear NICU Mama, When I look back on 2023, I see a mother who has had to walk a challenging path. Regardless of whether you are a new or seasoned NICU mama, this road is not an easy one. It can be a difficult journey, but it is also a transformative one.

Your sweet little one’s NICU stay may have changed you. You might not recognize yourself as the person who entered into 2023. You have had to become an advocate, cheerleader, and support system. Whether you are a mom to one or multiples- You birthed a new version of yourself when you brought your baby(ies) into this world.

Sister, I see a mother who is strong in the face of adversity. I see a mother who is resilient despite uncertainty. I see a mother who is a fierce advocate for her little one(s). Most importantly, I see a mother who is a safe space for her NICU warrior. Through the sensors, tubes, and alarms- they know YOU. They know your heart beat, your smell, and your voice. You are mom.

As you become acquainted with yourself again, I hope you are able to celebrate the parts of you that have stood unyielding in the face of the challenges that have come your way. I also hope you are able to give yourself the grace to mourn the parts of yourself that will need time to process and heal. Joy and grief can coexist.

NICU mama- as we enter this next year, I hope you are able to look back and celebrate how far you and your NICU warrior have come in these 12 months. On days where it felt like you couldn’t do it- you did. I wish you nothing but the absolute best as we step into this next year together. Whatever 2024 might bring your way, you are not alone.”

Love,
Molly

More of Molly + Amelia’s NICU story:

“My daughter, Amelia, was born on November 3, 2023 at 33+3 via emergency c-section after PPROM. She weighed 5 lbs 2 oz at birth. After I woke up from surgery, I met her for the first time in the NICU 4 and a half hours after she was born. 

Amelia was in the NICU for 14 days while she learned to eat, breathe on her own, and regulate her temperature. It was still so hard to juggle time in the hospital, recover from surgery, and focus on being present with my son, Liam, back home. 

I found Dear NICU Mama during that time as I was trying to process what we were going through and find support. It was incredibly comforting to read other mama’s letters and know that we weren’t alone in our NICU journey. 

Amelia is now home and we are loving being a family of 4 (with 2 under 2). She’s the perfect addition to our little family. The strongest things come in the smallest packages.”