* Your NICU kid is now 14, and you're still talking about his or her "Adjusted Age".
* You're addicted to acronyms. *NICU, CPAAP, RSV, IVH, A's and B's…*
* You get all weepy when you see a normal, picture perfect delivery on TV.
* You refer to NICU procedures with the skill of a NICU nurse.
* You get a little sad when you pass a hospital.
* You just can't truly enjoy yourself no matter what you're doing because your heart is still in the NICU.
* You can't help but tell your NICU story.
* You realize it's possible to get LESS sleep than moms of full term babies because of all the late night worrying.
* You see a picture of a baby with the NICU elephant nose and go, "Awwww!!"
* You actually have to buy doll clothes just so your NICU baby will have clothes that fit!
* You have a special box of NICU souvenirs you keep meaning to scrapbook.
* You know the name of every baby in the NICU & who their nurse is for that day.
* The different personalities of the nurses at the NICU no longer get under your skin...you've learned how to react to each one accordingly.
* You get sentimental & worried when you hear beeping sounds.
* You could check your NICU baby's vital signs faster than any health care professional you've met so far.
* You keep hand sanitizer in every room of your house & you ask people to use it before coming near your NICU baby.
* You still scrub your hands like a surgeon.
* Your only concern every day is when it's time for the "hands on" session with your baby, & you turn into Godzilla when you find out that your baby's hands on procedures were completed before you got there.
* You're an expert on calming your parents down because the NICU has a crazy strict visitation policy regarding their own grandbaby.
* You know that "kangaroo care" isn't a kid's game, in fact-it's your most FAVORITE time of the day, the reason you get out of bed…
* You no longer need an alarm clock to wake you up at midnight every night-that's when you call to check on your NICU baby's weight!
* To everyone else, an ounce is just a measurement, but to you an ounce is more valuable than gold-you praise God for every one your NICU baby gains.
* Your heart skips a beat when the nurse puts you on hold before telling you your baby's daily report because you fear that may mean bad news.
* Your NICU baby is over a year old & you still feel like you need to ask someone before you hold her.
* The March of Dimes becomes the most important fund raiser to you.
* You know what Micro-Preemie means & you thank God every day that your NICU baby wasn't one; being a mother to a regular preemie is hard enough.
* Your NICU baby's home coming is THE happiest day of your life *so far*
*The hospital smell that most people hate brings tears to your eyes because it reminds you of your NICU experience.
* You bring your NICU baby home from the hospital with a new found appreciation for her doctors & nurses…God used them to save your baby's life.
* You're addicted to acronyms. *NICU, CPAAP, RSV, IVH, A's and B's…*
* You get all weepy when you see a normal, picture perfect delivery on TV.
* You refer to NICU procedures with the skill of a NICU nurse.
* You get a little sad when you pass a hospital.
* You just can't truly enjoy yourself no matter what you're doing because your heart is still in the NICU.
* You can't help but tell your NICU story.
* You realize it's possible to get LESS sleep than moms of full term babies because of all the late night worrying.
* You see a picture of a baby with the NICU elephant nose and go, "Awwww!!"
* You actually have to buy doll clothes just so your NICU baby will have clothes that fit!
* You have a special box of NICU souvenirs you keep meaning to scrapbook.
* You know the name of every baby in the NICU & who their nurse is for that day.
* The different personalities of the nurses at the NICU no longer get under your skin...you've learned how to react to each one accordingly.
* You get sentimental & worried when you hear beeping sounds.
* You could check your NICU baby's vital signs faster than any health care professional you've met so far.
* You keep hand sanitizer in every room of your house & you ask people to use it before coming near your NICU baby.
* You still scrub your hands like a surgeon.
* Your only concern every day is when it's time for the "hands on" session with your baby, & you turn into Godzilla when you find out that your baby's hands on procedures were completed before you got there.
* You're an expert on calming your parents down because the NICU has a crazy strict visitation policy regarding their own grandbaby.
* You know that "kangaroo care" isn't a kid's game, in fact-it's your most FAVORITE time of the day, the reason you get out of bed…
* You no longer need an alarm clock to wake you up at midnight every night-that's when you call to check on your NICU baby's weight!
* To everyone else, an ounce is just a measurement, but to you an ounce is more valuable than gold-you praise God for every one your NICU baby gains.
* Your heart skips a beat when the nurse puts you on hold before telling you your baby's daily report because you fear that may mean bad news.
* Your NICU baby is over a year old & you still feel like you need to ask someone before you hold her.
* The March of Dimes becomes the most important fund raiser to you.
* You know what Micro-Preemie means & you thank God every day that your NICU baby wasn't one; being a mother to a regular preemie is hard enough.
* Your NICU baby's home coming is THE happiest day of your life *so far*
*The hospital smell that most people hate brings tears to your eyes because it reminds you of your NICU experience.
* You bring your NICU baby home from the hospital with a new found appreciation for her doctors & nurses…God used them to save your baby's life.
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