“This book is amazing. Made me cry and also made my heart full to read it. Even as a nurse who worked in the level II nursery, I don’t think I fully appreciated the impact it has on the momma. Thank you for sharing your story with me and with others!”
—Amy Allenson (BSN, RN and Mom)

“My girls were in the NICU for ten days at the University of Minnesota. They were 32-weekers. They didn’t have any major medical issues but having your children ripped away from you at birth and then put in isolation is so terrifying. I think your book is something that is much needed as I could totally relate to the emotions you were portraying. The feeling like you weren’t there for your baby, like you weren’t bonding, not knowing if you were going to be able to care for them when they finally came home. All on top of the fear of the most important individuals in your world being ill. I feel like there are so many uncertainties.

While the nurses at the NICU are amazing and they offer a lot of support on  breast feeding, infant cpr, feeding, etc… I don’t feel like anyone ever talked to me about the emotions I was going through, and I felt very alone until I started talking to other parents with babies there.

As a nurse, and a mom to NICU babies, I think this book would be great to offer to mothers.  I think it’s awesome that the AAP is interested. I would be happy to buy a few copies for the NICU at HCMC. Love the art too!”
—Nikki  Larson (RN and NICU Mom 10 days)

“I  LOVE THIS!!! Seriously all the feels. It is hard to describe to anyone what your time is like in the NICU and how it changes you, but this story captures all the emotions perfectly. Thank you for capturing this for both past, current and future NICU families. I would have loved something like that.”
—Brooke Vrieze (NICU Mom 2 months)

“Thank you so much for sharing this with me. It is truly a beautiful, beautiful heartfelt story! I think you perfectly nailed the NICU experience, at least for us moms that got to take our babies home. These lines really hit home for me: My heart was pounding, my head was numb; My heart and soul don’t know what to do; Dear Baby, I miss the warmth of your kicks. This entire page absolutely resonates with me.

I wish I could leave with you, it’s testing my will; Frozen. Overwhelmed. Engulfed in fear. When you find out you are going home it’s such a weird time. On one hand it’s what you wanted the entire time, but it’s so scary to think about being on your own after having so much medical support.  Focus on now, no need to solve everything; I wish someone had told me this!

I think the perfect audience for this book would be for anyone who loves and cares for a NICU mom. You provide the perfect window into our hearts, souls and minds during such a vulnerable time. Dads have a similar, but different NICU experience. You captured the Mom experience perfectly.”
—Heidi Droegemueller (NICU Mom 3 months)

“That was awesome. Made me cry. Kind of the same feeling as the book, I Love You Forever, but yours isn’t irritatingly repetitive. I think you’re on the right track and capture the feeling so many moms have when they have to go home at night, leaving their new baby at the NICU.

One of my friends has had all three of her kids with at least a month in the NICU. Even on her third kid, knowing he would have a stay in the NICU, she said it was just as hard as the first kid. It’s heart-wrenching every time.

Can’t wait to buy it!!!”
—Angie Swatsenberg (RN and Mom)

“I just read the book! She absolutely nailed it. She hit thoughts and emotions you wouldn’t know about unless you’ve been in the NICU. I could tell she had been there and it made me cry to relive those emotions. She did an awesome job!”
—Angie Swatsenberg’s Friend (NICU Mom)

“It’s such a sweet book! Our NICU stay was so short and relatively uneventful, I’m not sure I’m the target audience, but I thought you did a great job of capturing the sadness and anxiety around leaving your baby at the hospital. It’s so weird and felt SO not okay.”
—Rebecca Anderson (NICU Mom 1 week)