Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As you probably know, on the 3rd December 2018, Jack and Lily were born at 28 weeks gestation after my waters broke very early weighing only 2lb 12oz and 2lb 10oz. From the second that we knew that things were not going to plan, the doctors and nurses at Arrowe Park were amazing, from visiting us to reassure and explain to us what they hoped would happen if the babies came so early to 14 people being present in the room at their birth ready to spring into action when needed and all the incredible care they received for the rest of their stay. 

Having babies in the neonatal unit was hard. For me and the whole family. 

The NICU is the place where they get put in a plastic box and you feel scared to touch them incase you hurt them. It is the place where everything bleeps and flashes around you. The place where they are poked and prodded in front of you and you wish you could have every cannula, lumbar puncture and tranfusion yourself to save them the pain. The place where the babies, in true prem style, decide breathing is too much bother today, get the emergency buzzers pulled and make you watch them while the doctors come running. It is the place where you wait all day to hear the words 'would you like to hold your baby?' 

BUT the NICU is not a place of misery. It is the place where the nurses love and care for the babies they look after. The place where the doctors care enough to smile and talk to the babies while they perform any examinations they need to. It's the place where they take their first breaths without support. The place where they drink from a bottle instead of from a tube for the very first time. It's the place where, on Christmas day, we had our first family photo as a family of 5 while the Salvation army played. It is the place where you hear the magical words 'they are ready to go home.' The NICU is the place where miracles happen. 

So, on the 23rd June I, and a few helpers (Em, Hannah, Claire, Dave, Mum and Dad) will be walking the Wirral walk to raise money for the neonatal unit. If you have any spare change knocking around, please help us to support the Neonatal unit at Arrowe Park in their quest to give more families their miracle like the two little miracles they have given to us. 

Lots of love 

Cath

Xxx