by BabyCenter Guest Blogger posted in Parenting

By Jessica Ries

I spontaneously went into labor at 30 weeks 6 days and delivered our second baby. Ironically enough, I was born at 33 weeks. When I was born, I was 4.9 pounds. I nursed well, and went home with my mother when she left the hospital 5 days later. Unfortunately, that was not the case for our sweet little pumpkin.

Weighing just 3 pounds, 15 ounces, she needed to spend some time in the NICU, gaining weight and being monitored. We are grateful that she didn?t need any other special interventions, just love, care and time.

Our sweet baby girl was supposed to be a Christmas baby, and instead decided to be an autumn baby. Here she is in her first Halloween Costume, ?Super J!? She arrived smack dab in the middle of our busiest season of the year, corn harvest. We are grateful for all of the love and support we received as we tried to juggle life with our other child, farming and commuting to the NICU 45 minutes away.

View more photos here:
Time in the NICU is overwhelming and scary. What I heard from other NICU parents is that a listening ear, or a shoulder to cry on, was one of the most valued things they received while their baby was in the NICU.
For me, balancing time between both of my babies, one in the NICU and one at home, was one of the most agonizing feelings I?ve ever had. Love in the form of support and understanding is one of the best gifts you can give.
But I know a lot of people want to DO something t...