I never knew just how many children come into this world with medical problems. (My children and grandchildren were all born healthy.) Some baby's medical problems correct themselves with time, some problems need immediate medical intervention or the baby will die, some medical problems will require ongoing care for a time, some for a lifetime and some of these babies just don't make it. I am overcome with emotion everytime I go the Salem Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where my daughter Christine-NICU RN works to see these beautiful children who have everything against them from the git-go! I am even more moved by the selfless care these NICU Nurses give 12 hours a day without hardly taking a break and many times not eating. Intensive Care is INTENSIVE! The parents looking to them to "take good care of their babies" and each time they send a little one home with their family, (although it's a happy occasion) it's like tearing a piece of their hearts out. You see, many of the babies LIVE right there in the NICU for weeks or months until they are well enough to go home. They become family!!! The babies, their parents, the grandparents and extended family members are all a part of the heart of the NICU. They all share the same goal and thus become very close to these kids and their families. It's only natural that the NICU staff wonders about the progress of "their" babies (or Graduates, as they're called) after they go home.
Every year the Salem Hospital NICU Reunion Committe hosts an event for NICU Graduates, their parents and extended family members to celebrate another year of life for these little ones. It's a time of reconnecting, catching up on medical progress made, visiting, playing, laughing, eating and winning prizes. It's very rewarding to see a child come to the reunion year after year, doing better and better. Of course there are those graduates who just didn't make it and are sorely missed at the reunion....
This year I bid the cupcake job and was able to see firsthand the love these nurses and volunteers genuinely put forth to provide a "fun" event for the kids and their families. I am so very proud that my daughter has chosen to use the talents she was given to be a part of keeping babies alive and helping most get well, go home and lead full and productive lives. She IS AN ANGEL to them! And, they are her babies! Today while I was in the NICU, I saw a precious darling little 27 week gestation fella that weighed in at 1lb, 3oz. He'll be there for awhile I'm sure. Although for confidentiality reasons I could not take a picture of this angel, I did take a picture of Christine in front of his isolet. There is also a picture below of the diaper he wares. Yes, that's a one dollar bill for scale.
All children are miracles..... and NICU NURSES are miracle workers!!!
The little boy in the isolet behind Christine weighs just 1 pound 3 ounces!
Look at all the equipment it takes to keep him alive.
Diaper worn by most babies in the NICU
Nurses Eating Cupcakes! They had to work and weren't able to attend the NICU Reunion this year. So, of course someone HAD to bring them Cupcakes!
The NICU Graduate Painted Hand Signing Wall
A NICU Graduate adds his signature.
Is this little gal cute or what?
Two Graduates fishing for rubber duckies.
And, (drum roll please) The Cupcakes!!!
500 Total - 250 White & 250 Chocolate
I couldn't have gotten these delivered without help from my DDIL, Jill
84, 85, 86..... wait, I need to start over.
Ta-Da!!!! All 500 Cupcakes
The recipes I used are from the Allrecipes site
