We are the Coy family. We’ve had two very different - yet equally as stressful and exhausting – NICU stays. Our son, Liam, was born at 32 weeks weighing 4 lbs. 5 oz. and 17 inches due to severe preeclampsia. At the time we thought it was the end of the world, but we were very lucky. He was "only" in the NICU for 13 days. While it was still devastating to leave our new baby in the hospital when I was discharged and miss his first two weeks of life, we realize now it could have been much worse. Our second son, Ben, was born at 24 weeks again due to preeclampsia. We knew immediately this was a completely different situation. We experienced so many emotions after I was admitted to the hospital on bed rest at 22 weeks 6 days. Then at exactly 24 weeks, Benjamin Finley was born at less than 1 lb. 1 oz. and 11 inches. In the first couple of days he lost weight (as many newborns do) and got down to 14 oz. Although we were familiar with the NICU and even remembered some of the nurses and doctors, we knew this would change our lives forever. After many ups, downs and 125 days of worry, Ben was able to come home with his family where he belonged. He came home on oxygen and a heart monitor/pulse ox. He also eventually needed a feeding tube. He has made so much progress over the past 4.5 years, and we couldn’t be more proud of the “big” boy he’s become today.

We made this video of Ben to celebrate his life and everything he has been through. He is the strongest little boy, and we love him more than words can say. We hope this video reminds him of how loved he is, how strong he is, and how even when life doesn't go according to plan, beautiful things can happen.