87 total days in the NICU at Rainbow Babies and Childrens
22 days in the NICU
65 days in the NICU Stepdown (Rainbow 4)

On 9/26/2023, we got the surprise of our lives when a baby boy made his way into the world unexpectedly at home. We were rushed to the hospital. After initial assessment by the trauma team I was taken one way, and the baby another. I was then told that they needed to take the baby to Rainbow Babies and Childrens to be admitted into the NICU.

Jaymo, as his cousins like to call him, spent 87 days in the NICU. He was initially on a ventilator, was cooled, monitored for brain issues, and the list goes on. He was moved to Rainbow 4 (NICU step down) after 22 days, once he was on room air. Jaymo was battling tachypnea, which did not allow him to bottle field if his breathing was too fast. Once the tachypnea finally went away, we then had to prove he could hold his own in bottle feeds to be released. During that time he quickly became a favorite for doctors, NPs, and nurse to come visit as he was Mr. Personality and always wanted to give an aerobics class as he never sat still. After 65 day in Rainbow 4, Jaymo went home the weekend before Christmas with an NG tube.

We met some of the most carrying and compassionate people during our time in the NICU, somewhere I never thought I would ever know. My life has been forever changed by the time Jaymo spent at Rainbow, and for that reason, I joined the Project NICU Ambassador team and am fundraising to give back to the families that are going through what we once did. Also - to give back to the amazing staff that helped us on our journey.

Project NICU offers connection, support and community to all involved in the NICU Journey. From NICU Care Packages, Peer Support, Graduate Programming, events and more we are here for every step of the journey. Led by NICU Parents, our programs are designed with first hand experience with support by NICU medical professionals on our advisory board to truly create an environment where families and NICU Teams can feel supported.

Jaymo Gives Back

By Project NICU

Jaymo Gives Back

Supporting NICU Families at Rainbow Babies & Children