I'm glad I didn't miss this challenge, even though I'm cutting this post close to the deadline.

My husband and I found out I was pregnant with my first child April 2016. I was excited! I always wanted to be a mom. Once I told people, I heard multiple stories of what pregnancy was like: bad morning sickness, constant cramps in my legs, that fact that I wouldn't be able to eat spicy food any more. Lucky me though, none of that happened! I never got morning sickness, I could eat all my favorite foods, no weird cravings. I loved being pregnant and it was a pretty easy pregnancy.

Then one Sunday, 2 days before my 32nd week, things changed. I had grown accustomed to feeling my little girl kick. I would poke my stomach and she would give me a kick hello, letting me know things were okay in there. That Sunday, she never kicked. I started to panic and called my husband, David, he was my voice of reason and would calm me down when I needed him. I told him that I hadn't felt her move. He said that things were going to be okay and he was going to do some research, just to make sure I had no reason to worry. When he called back and told me I should go to the hospital, which was an hour away from where we lived, I knew it must be bad. He was still at work, so I had to drive myself. It was the longest hour and the whole time I was crying, talking to my dad, and praying that our my baby girl would be okay.

My aunt met me at the hospital and the doctor hooked me up to monitors, checked my baby's heartbeat and it was strong, but they found out that she wasn't moving, that's when I was told I would need an emergency C-section. But this was all wrong, this isn't how an easy, non complicated pregnancy was suppose to be. David was suppose to be by my side, playing the surprise mixed birthing cd he would make me. My aunt quickly got on the phone and explained that my husband needed to get here as quick as possible.

The nurses were prepping me and I was praying that my husband would get here and that our girl would be fine. I was prepped, the nurses were trying everything to calm me down and also stall. About a minute before the surgery started, my husband showed up ( I later found out that he actually ran out of gas right when he got into town, and that two guys helped him push the truck to the gas station). David held my hand and kept reassuring me that everything was going to be fine. Next thing, the doctor cut me open and the first thing we hear is our baby girl and wow did she sound mad.

I wasn't able to see her right away and had to wait until 3am. She was so tiny (3lbs 15 oz) and red. The next day the doctor had said that if I hadn't come in that day, we would have lost her. I spent the next 5 days in the hospital and loved the moments I got to do kangaroo care. The hardest part was leaving and not being able to take her with us. Everyday I would drive and see her and every time I left, I hoped that she knew how much I loved her. At nights I would cry because I never thought that I would feel like I was abandoning my kid only a week after she was born. Thankfully Gracie proved how much of a fighter she was and only had to stay in the hospital for 23 days. I know that not everyone has the same experiences and am grateful that for us everything turned out okay. I also am blessed to have a husband that was my rock when I felt like it was my fault that our daughter was premature.

It was not how I envisioned my first pregnancy would go. I know it sounds weird, but even though it's been a year, I find myself constantly thinking about what could have happened. Or I look at pictures and realize how small and fragile she was. Then I look at her now, how big she has gotten and I think that by the grace of God, I was able to get to the hospital when I needed to, David was able to get there, and that our baby Gracie is doing so well and is healthy right now.

The nurses and doctors in Minot, ND were so helpful and so was our family, who dropped everything to be there to support us.

For all the other moms and dads that have had preemies, you know the pain and the strength it takes to endure that scenario. The best thing I could say to anyone that currently has a preemie still in the NICU: be positive, celebrate the accomplishments of your baby, don't get discouraged when it seems like your baby isn't progressing (they are), and remember your baby is a fighter and is stronger then you might think.