This page is all about my son Daniel who was born 7 weeks premature on September 29, 1998. This page is to help other mothers of preemies and to be an inspiration for anyone who believes in miracles. I hope you enjoy getting to know the love of my life, my son, my Daniel-Spaniel!

To the left you will find the links to the various pages on our site. You can also navigate with the back and next buttons on each page. Below you can read a poem I wrote about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU as it is more commonly called to those who are unfortunate enough to know what it is! It sums up all the feelings I have about the NICU, the place mothers love for caring for their children, yet hate because their children should be home with them instead.

  

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
by Trish Smith, Daniel's Mommy

People world wide read the pages of preemie
babies, but they have no idea what it is like...

They feel sorry for us,
They get encouraged by us,
They cheer for us!

A lot of mother's come out of the NICU feeling stronger
Well 2 years down the track, I don't.

I still feel the pain of leaving my baby,
Of knowing that nobody cares as much
as mummy no matter how much they try.

I still feel the pain of knowing that when I left,
MY baby went through procedures
that I saw other babies go through.

I know that my baby had needles upon needles,
test upon test, for the better, and I was not there.

I know that my baby was where he was meant to be
....but my arms were empty.

My heart broke every time I went in .. left
.. was asleep .. was driving there ...

Is he still alive?????
Is he crying?????
Can I touch him today?????
How many more bruises will I see?????
Will he ever be mine?????

Neonatal Intesive Care Unit:
The place where they save lives.
Where the sun does not reach,
Unless you bring it in with you.
The place where all the care in the world is taken,
But you don't know what will happen next.
The place you long to be at, but dont want to go to.

NICU, the place dreams live and die in.

NICU, the place you love .. but hate.

NICU, the place that I cannot forget.

NICU, the place that gave me Daniel!

©2000-2002 Trish Smith