The best surprise of our life came on March 8th of this year. As shown in the picture, our son Max Thompson Kieffer, was an excited little man to be around others from day one of his life outside the womb. We learned so much from the incredible hospital staff and our family members throughout this whole experience. I can say that even though this was my scariest moment, it was no doubt still the best surprise ever. We like to think Max had a say in this plan as he was born 3-8-17, and my husband and I met in college, while I was #3 in basketball and he was #8 in lacrosse. We also were moved to continuing care room #8 when I was allowed to then stay with Max 24 hours, a week after his birth! I also look at my watch a few times a day, and it never fails that once it ends with :38, for example 7:38, 10:38, etc. and I think of our lucky little man.

I was so excited to see an opportunity to connect with other families that experienced the NICU and also help spread awareness of the NICU. Birth is a miracle, and unfortunately A through Z doesn't always line up in the journey of life for many babies.

Our story will be one that I will always remember and reflect on. I am not the best at putting my thoughts in to words as my feelings overwhelm me when I think of our son, Max. Therefore, I came up with the hashtag #whenyou to put in to words some of the biggest thoughts and feelings that went through my head as a mother who needed and is ever so grateful for the support of everyone and everything that goes in to the NICU.

#Whenyou ...

1. WHEN YOU... luckily get the last ultrasound spot the following day after a routine check up and 5 hour hospital visit that same night to monitor mommy's blood pressure and baby's heart rate

2. ...have your ultrasound appointment quickly turn to being sent in to another room and are left to think worst case scenarios

3. ...enter shock and your eyes flood with tears

4. thought child birth would be painful, but have an emergency c-section, feeling and seeing nothing, and eventually wake up to see the picture of your husband with your child ...and your heart smiles so big

5. get tested to make sure you can sit up without passing out so you can see your child the day they are born (I believe the magnesium for preeclampsia treatment, so that I wouldn't have a seizure, was what effected me to this extent.)

5 1/2. get mad thinking that your baby can't independently eat, yet grateful at the same time for what the NICU can provide

6. get cleared as a mom to leave your own hospital bed and room, yet really it only means you leave your baby and go home for the night to sleep

7. are so lucky to live five minutes from the hospital

8. enter the NICU the next morning and think, that is my baby <333333

9. couldn't imagine your birth story going differently

10. see the weight your nurse posts on the board that night and get so excited

11. hear the news that you can pull a cot in your baby's room when we move out of the NICU and in to continued care

12. leave to take your baby home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13. don't really enjoy saying the word preemie, and prefer to say he was born early

Thanks for listening to some of the thoughts and feelings that went through my head, they are just a few of them.

Lastly....

#WhenYOU turns to #WhenWE as you couldn't picture a better NICU experience as the people and all little brave babies are AWESOME!

I still am left feeling and thinking with a heavy, heavy heart when I hear the word NICU because I think of the stories that don't end with a baby coming home. I see much more of a light when I hear the word NICU as my awareness was slim before going through this with our son. Again, I am still left thinking of those that the light is much more dim. All stories and families are always in my thoughts and prayers!