101 days strong: NICU celebrates Miles with a ‘101 Dalmatians’ milestone

For 101 days, Miles (last name withheld at the family’s request) has been growing, gaining strength and reaching milestones in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Arnett Hospital.

To recognize just how far he has come, the NICU team recently transformed his 101st day into a “101 Dalmatians”-themed celebration. The team chose the theme with Miles’ four sisters in mind, creating a way for the whole family to be part of the milestone.

Miles was born June 27 at 24 weeks gestation. For his parents, Katie and Jerrid, the months since have brought difficult days alongside moments they will always remember.

“It’s hard feeling guilt for not getting to be with him all the time and having to leave the hospital without him. It never gets easier each time we have to leave without him,” they say. “It was also really hard watching our tiny little baby literally fight for his life. But his strength to keep fighting gave us the strength and ability to hold on to hope.”

Along the way, the family has found reasons to celebrate, from Miles’ sisters first visits with their little brother to milestones that once felt far away.

“Some of the brightest moments have been the days we bring Miles’ three older sisters in to visit their little brother. Watching them tell him stories, sing to him and love on him has given us memories we will never forget,” Katie and Jerrid say. “Finally getting to hold our boy after seven long weeks was a moment that meant so much. Getting to feed him his very first bottle was so special.”

For the NICU team, those moments are an important part of caring for babies and their families.

“It is very important for the team to celebrate every milestone while they are in the NICU whether they are small or huge ones,” says Jen Myers, neonatal nurse practitioner in the NICU at Arnett. “Each step is important because being in the NICU is extremely stressful for parents and families. The team points out the little wins every day to help families deal with anxiety and the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty.”

Those wins can include a first bottle, first bath, being held for the first time, reaching a certain weight or coming off oxygen. For Miles, reaching 101 days represents another significant step in a journey that began 16 weeks early.

The celebration also recognized the partnership between Miles’ family and the team caring for him.

“We feel like the NICU team deserves just as much of a celebration as Miles does on his 101st day,” Katie and Jerrid say. “The dedication, compassion and care they’ve shown our son and our family throughout this journey has meant more to us than we can put into words.”

Miles is now working toward some of his final milestones before he can be discharged from the NICU. For his family, each step forward is another reason to celebrate.

“These 101 days have been filled with fear, hope, love and a lot of patience,” Katie and Jerrid say. “Miles has shown us just how strong such a little person can be.”