Nathan was born on December 16, 1998 at 9:41 p.m. He was 10 weeks premature (he was due February 22, 1999), so he was kind of small (3 lbs 6 oz) and had to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 5 weeks. It wasn't so bad because he was healthy (his lungs were fully developed), so he just had to learn to eat and he had to grow before he could go home.
For his protection, Mommy could not hold him until December 19. It was the greatest day for both of them! And starting December 21, they practiced "kangaroo care" (skin to skin contact) for at least one hour every day. It was the best time of each day.
Little by little, the doctors removed all of the tubes and wires and Mommy could hold him more and more. This picture was taken January 9.
Finally, after 35 long and sometimes difficult days, he was allowed to go home on January 20 at 4 lbs 9 oz. What a wonderful day!
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Nathan's First Five Weeks
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