Faced with uncertainty, I familiarized myself with the unit's daily rituals, made it my second home and supported my baby through a vocabulary and patience I never knew.  When an ounce was too big of a milestone to achieve, she grew stronger gram by gram.  The 76-day emotional roller coaster ride at the NICU was the most difficult experience of my life. She came home on oxygen - and just in time for her first Christmas. 
 
Thanks to her team of doctors, nurses, and specialized care-takers from the NICU, today she is a happy, healthy, and little 17-month old toddler who likes to scream 'no' in many different forms and is vocal about what she does and doesn't like, usually choosing to be lazy with her sign language.  Today, she shows excitement in everyday things and is thrilled to receive laughter and smiles in return - although some Cheerios or cookies don't hurt either."

Synthia Larson