Written by: Melissa Harris
December 21, 2011
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As a preemie parent, you have the fear of RSV drilled into you from the moment the season begins.  We are told in that first year of life not to take our preemies into …
December 2, 2011
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I have read all the books out there on sleep training, and I have to say I am at a loss.  Don't get me wrong, Sam is a pretty good sleeper overall.  Most nights …
December 2, 2011
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The past few weeks around the Harris-Odum household have been filled with people, good food, amazing developments from our anti-preemie and a big fundraising drive for the Alta Bates NICU. First- to the family …
November 18, 2011
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Sam and I stopped by the NICU today for a quick little visit with some of our favorite people. It's always nice to bring Sam to the NICU and the staff that work there. …
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November 17, 2011
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Had you asked me last year if I knew there was such a thing as Prematurity Awareness Month or a World Prematurity Day, my answer would have been a resounding no.  It would never …
November 14, 2011
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The past year has been one of so much loss and so much pain.  I am starting to realize that through all of this, the thing I have lost the most is myself.  I …
November 7, 2011
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My in-laws pointed out that since Sam's birthday almost two months ago I have written nothing.  Not a word.  They had diligently checked every morning, just in case I might have posted an update.  …
September 29, 2011
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On September 17, we threw a major birthday party for Sam.  In many ways, this was less of a birthday party and more of a celebration of all the people that helped us get …
September 29, 2011
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I knew this day would come.  Eventually we would have to address separation anxiety.  I mean, eventually I would need to get back to work (or at least sort of).  Little did I realize …
September 16, 2011
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Dear Sam: It was on this day one year ago that you entered our lives.  You were... shall we say... early.  Really really early.  We were not expecting to meet you until January 4th, …
September 15, 2011
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One year ago today, the euphoria of reaching 24 weeks started to wane as my contractions started to increase.  Then, in the blink of an eye, the euphoria was gone as it was discovered …
September 14, 2011
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One year ago today, as I lay in trendelenberg, suffering from headaches and back aches, I celebrated.  For it was on this day one year ago that I crossed the magical 24-week mark, and …
September 13, 2011
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Its funny, as I get closer to Sam's birthday, things are getting a little easier.  Who knows, maybe my roller coaster will follow the path in I took in the hospital last year.  My …
September 11, 2011
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I meant to post this this morning...alas... One year ago today, I woke up in a hospital bed, tilted at a 30-degree angle, being pumped full of magnesium sulfate, with all the blood rushing …
September 10, 2011
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In the first of what will be a number of "one year ago today..." posts I foresee this week... Let me just say that this anniversary sucks. This is not something to celebrate. It …
September 4, 2011
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As I leave Bennett's birthday party I find myself overcome with emotion. I think seeing the outpouring of love from Elisa's extended friends and family has gotten me reflecting on my own extended network. …
September 1, 2011
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Today is Sam's NICU buddy Bennett's birthday. Many of you have learned abut Bennett from reading my blog, and I just wanted to take a moment to say what a great day today is. …
August 29, 2011
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As we near the one-year (can you believe it!) mark of when this whole preemie ordeal began, I find myself on the verge of tears- pretty much all the time.  I have a feeling …
August 18, 2011
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What was i thinking?!  Airplanes are full of germs!  How will I explain to a doctor in Mexico about my son's actual age and corrected age?  What if he has another asymptomatic ear infection?  …
August 13, 2011
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I know... technically my birthday was a few days ago... but still... It's funny how one event can just shift your perception on everything.  If you had asked me last year on my birthday …
August 4, 2011
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I know. I know. You never really stop worrying about your kids. That is the burden every parent must carry. What I am talking about is the overwhelming, soul crushing fear that something terrible …
August 2, 2011
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Finally... they finished the longer video about Sam and my story:
August 2, 2011
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Wait... It's August?  How the heck did that happen?  One minute I am whining about my parents being in Africa for a month and the next thing I know... that month is over, mom …
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