Topic: Memories

At 6.50am on 12th December 2006 our tiny boy Robert James was born by emergency c-section at Ohio State Medical Center. His original due date was 10th March 2007, he was born almost exactly three months early. This blog is his ongoing story as told by me, his Mother.

He weighed just 1LB 15OZ and was 13 inches long, just one inch longer than a barbie doll. He was able to breath on his own right away but, was very weak and so, was put onto a ventilator.

I saw him for the first time just over twenty four hours after he was born. A hospital orderly wheeled me into the NICU to see him and, I just sat and stared in silent amazement. I had never seen such a small baby before. I remember noting that he had his fathers nose and ears, and being enchanted by his minute but perfect finger and toe nails. When I finally plucked up the courage to put my hand into his incubator to touch one of his hands with my ring finger, his tiny fingers slowly closed around it and, there was that special moment they say every parent has. That profound moment when you make that first connection with your child leaving you, changed forever. I knew then, I would do anything, give anything for him to be safe, well and happy.