well my daughter is premature and I feel like things are ten times harder than others who have had babies born on time...Idk how to just find time for myself...can anyone give me ideas for relaxing instead of being stressed so much

Your daughter is so cute! My son was born five weeks early. He currently receives speech, physical, and occupational therapy. I thank God everyday that he is here and he is healthy. I also blamed myself for him being born early- did I eat right, take care of myself, take the right vitamins, etc.? But there is also something that he does new everyday that makes me smile and be so proud- like the first time he smiled- "No, it's not gas. He's really laughing at my silly songs,"- to today I when I heard him starting to count to ten on his own when a six months ago he hardly uttered any words. Also, fight for your child. Make sure she gets all of the developmental and medical services she needs.

Best of luck and Happy Holidays.

I have her involved with kennedy donavon and a followup clinic...She sees a nutrionist..she recieves food therapy...she was 4 months early at 1lb 1oz but she is 10 months behind...I am doing everything they tell me to do...the reason she was early was because I ended up with preclamsia...I had no idea and was no where near prepared for this...I love my daughter so much...I just wish I could help her more than I can...I just don't know why this happened...I feel like I am doing something wrong as a mother...what is a better way to teach her new things?

Kindly try www.youtube.com/lifeblissfoundation

Watch for afew minutes daily....

Live in the moment with her. Show her you love her every day. Don't blame yourself for things in the past that were out of your control such as the preeclampsia. Don't worry about the past or future. Live in the now where she needs you the most.

You are her greatest ally. Ask lots of questions to her doctors and nutritionists and make sure they tell you everything you need to help her be the best child she can be.

Take care and good luck again. 

I think you are right to feel that you have it harder because you do. My son was born with spina bifida. I have always taken it all in stride and dealt with whatever comes our way. I mean what else are you going to do for your child? Fifteen years later I gave a birth to completely healthy little girl. I can't even compare raising the two. It is so much easier this time round, even if I am much older. The thing that has helped me deal with the stress over the years...not feeling sorry for myself, but being honest about life. I force myself to take time and reflect every so often on the positive and even the negative so that I can understand and keep moving forward. Don't worry so much aout what your daughter cannot do yet. I know it is hard, and sometimes it just stinks, but life is unpredictable. She has her own path in life, and you will be there with her through it all. Keep focusing on the birght things and relish in the person that she is.

Hi Stormy and Other Posties....I know Exactly what you're going through...or so I feel like I do...I did everything I was supposed to also during my pregnancy...but my son was born 2 months premature, Emergency C section due to Fetal Hydrops (over 2lbs fluid under his skin) and an enlarged Heart (Dialtated Cardiomyopathy) and we had No Idea anything was wrong and they still don't know what caused it!!!  He was 3lbs after loosing the fluid, on a ventilator for 4 months, 13 drips going into his little body and they said he needed a Heart Transplant!!!  What???  I was SHOCKEd and Traumatized and it sounds like you were too with your little one...I know what a 1lb baby looks like Stormy and I remember what my son looked like and it's down right traumatizing!!  And the worst part, that I'm dealing with now, is there is Anger over Why it happened but Nobody to blame...so it just lingers...that's how I feel now...Thank God and the Donor Family and my son's strength, he was able to hang on till he was 3 months old and received a Heart Transplant, a year ago yesterday actaully and is doing Amazingly Well!!!  I cry sometimes though b/c he's only 16lbs and he has a button in his belly for medication...and he has PT 3x week and now we've to have tubes put in his ears in Dec for fluid...he see's 12 different dr's, no 13 now with the Ear, Nose and Throat....and I still wonder Why?  My fiance told me to stop feeling bad...in a nice way but he said Garrett (our son) is doing Great and he'sHappy and he's Right!!! Garrett's wonderful and a very Happy baby...I just felt bad that he has to work so hard to do things other babies his age can do....it's saddens me for him But it shouldn't b/c he's not sad!!!  Well Stormy not sure I helped any, guess we're in the same boat...I'm going to a therapist this Thurs and if I get any helpful advice I'll let ya know!!  I'm definitely going to force myself to reach out to my friends and family more b/c I've been so caught up in my son's life I've almost isolated myself...I said keep busy and talk to family and friends...Hugs to that Beautiful girl...sounds like you Right On Mom....don't be hard on yourself...she's alive and thriving b/c of YOU!!!