Imagine. . .being pregnant for the first time after 8+ years of marriage and finding out at your ultrasound that you're having a little boy.

Imagine. . .going into pre-term labor just 5 days later at 21 weeks and being told that you will have to be on bedrest for the duration of your pregnancy.

Imagine. . .being scared out of your mind as your water breaks at 33 weeks and your OB tells you to get to the hospital immediately.

Imagine. . .that after only being in the hospital for about an hour the baby's heart rate drops and they rush you into the OR for an emergency c-section.

Imagine. . .seeing the worst fear imaginable in your husband's eyes as they begin cutting you open to deliver your baby.

Imagine. . .waiting and waiting for your baby to cry after he is born and feeling great relief when he finally lets out his first wail.

Imagine. . .the doctor telling you that the cord was wrapped around your son's neck twice so it was a blessing that he came early.

Imagine. . .that your first picture of your son is a Polaroid from the NICU with so many tubes and wires hooked up to him. And imagine that today, 3 months later, you keep those pictures hidden in a drawer because it's too traumatic to look at them.

Imagine. . .feeling your heart break as you watch your husband stand by your son's isolette and cry because we're going home from the hospital but the baby isn't coming with us.

Imagine. . .the joy you feel when the nurse tells you he will be ready to go home after just 12 days in the NICU.

Imagine. . .that your 33 weeker is 3 months old today and you couldn't be more thankful that he is doing well.

Karen mom to Ryan born at 33 weeks