JRob’s NICU Journey and Beyond

JRob’s NICU Journey and Beyond Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from JRob’s NICU Journey and Beyond, Medical and health, Ennice, NC.

Born at 23w5d on 04/26/25, JRob fought through 129 days in Brenner’s NICU and came home on 9/2/25. 💙 Our goal is to share his journey, spread hope, and raise awareness about prematurity, which impacts 1 in 10 babies.

Cheers to the New Year 🎆💙
01/01/2026

Cheers to the New Year 🎆💙

Merry Christmas from JRob 🎄❤️
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from JRob 🎄❤️

12/23/2025

JRob & his horsey ❤️

Every Eye Day since NICU discharge 👀💙Look how much our sweet boy has grown 🥰
12/19/2025

Every Eye Day since NICU discharge 👀💙

Look how much our sweet boy has grown 🥰

Eye Day Complete ✅We have officially graduated the ROP Clinic! 🎉JRob surprised us all — his blood vessels finished growi...
12/18/2025

Eye Day Complete ✅

We have officially graduated the ROP Clinic! 🎉

JRob surprised us all — his blood vessels finished growing through Zone 3, meaning no laser eye surgery and no more eye doctor appointments until preschool, when they’ll just check to see if he may need glasses. This was truly the best Christmas present we could’ve asked for ❤️🎄

Leaving the office today was very bittersweet. The pediatric ophthalmologist and their amazing team were with us through a huge part of JRob’s NICU journey and now almost 4 months at home. We are so happy to be done with the appointments, but incredibly grateful for the care, kindness, and dedication they showed our little guy along the way.

So proud of you, JRob 💙

12/11/2025

About 10% of infants born in the U.S. are admitted to the NICU each year, which means nearly 400,000 families face this reality annually. Colorado is now the first state in the country to create a paid Neonatal Care Leave that offers up to 12 additional weeks of time off when a newborn is in intensive care. Beginning January 1, 2026, this leave will be added to existing FAMLI bonding leave, giving some families up to 24 weeks of paid time off.

This is a major step forward for parents who should never have to choose between a paycheck and being with their baby during one of the most stressful moments of early life. A newborn in intensive care is overwhelming enough without the added worry of whether you can afford to stay by their side.

Neonatal Care Leave gives families the support they need during a NICU stay and ensures they can still take their full bonding leave once their baby is home. Colorado parents who lived these impossible choices helped drive this change forward.

One of them was Rep. Yara Zokaie, who shared the dilemma she faced when her son was born. “At that time where I should’ve been able to be fully present for him and for my family, I was working to make sure we could make rent that month,” she said. “It was incredibly scary as a new parent.”

listened to the realities families were facing. Now more parents will have the support they deserve during the moments that matter most.

12/04/2025

You are enough 💜

Eye Day Complete ✅Not the update we were hoping for, but still staying positive.JRob didn’t make any progress these last...
12/04/2025

Eye Day Complete ✅

Not the update we were hoping for, but still staying positive.

JRob didn’t make any progress these last two weeks—he’s still right in the middle of Zone 3. His vessels didn’t move at all. The ophthalmologist reminded us this is very normal for babies with BPD like JRob. Being on the ventilator and oxygen for so long can slow down retina blood vessel growth.

He also said that the big jump he made last time followed by no progress could mean his vessels may be done growing on their own. There’s a high possibility that we won’t see much change in these last couple of appointments and may need to move forward with laser eye surgery. We’re preparing our hearts just in case.

Now for the good news ❤️

On Monday, JRob had his monthly weight check with his pediatrician and he is growing right on track for his adjusted age! He’s now 14 lbs 1.8 oz and 23 inches long — landing in the 50th percentile for weight and 15th for height. He used to grow only half an inch every two weeks, but now he’s finally catching up and growing even more than that!
We also got the green light to start purées when he turns 4 months adjusted, as long as he meets all his readiness milestones.

The signs we’ll be watching for are:

• Good head and neck control

• Able to sit with support

• Showing interest in food (watching us eat, reaching for food, opening his mouth)

• Losing the tongue-thrust reflex

• Able to move food to the back of his mouth and swallow

We’re so proud of our little fighter and grateful for every bit of progress he makes — big or small. 💙👶🏼🫶🏼

Got our sneak peaks from our Christmas photoshoot 🙌🎄 our photographer truly out did herself, these are amazing! ❤️
11/24/2025

Got our sneak peaks from our Christmas photoshoot 🙌🎄 our photographer truly out did herself, these are amazing! ❤️

Eye appointment day complete! ✅We’re one step closer to finishing ROP eye exams — only 2–3 more visits and we should be ...
11/20/2025

Eye appointment day complete! ✅

We’re one step closer to finishing ROP eye exams — only 2–3 more visits and we should be done! JRob made huge progress today. Two weeks ago he had just made it into Zone 3 (literally right on the border), and now he’s already almost halfway through Zone 3, which is the final zone! 👏💜

This is amazing news because it means his chances of needing laser eye surgery have gone down. We still won’t know for sure until the beginning of January. He turns 60 weeks on January 5th, and since the ROP clinic is only open on Thursdays, we’re not sure yet if his final exam will be Jan 1st or Jan 8th — totally depends on the ophthalmologist.

If JRob does end up needing laser surgery, the plan is to do everything at once: his eye laser, his circumcision, and a hydrocelectomy (an issue he’s had since shortly after birth). That way he only has to go under general anesthesia one time. If we’re lucky and laser surgery comes off the table, he’ll have the other procedures done in April instead.

And since y’all know I love a good educational moment… 👩‍🏫💙

What is a hydrocele + hydrocelectomy?

A hydrocele is a pouch of fluid that collects around a baby boy’s testicle. It usually happens because the sac that drops the testicles into the sc***um before birth doesn’t fully close — so fluid gets trapped. It’s actually super common in infant boys, but most people never hear about it unless their own child has one.

Most hydroceles go away on their own during the first year of life, but when they don’t, doctors sometimes recommend a hydrocelectomy, which is a small surgery to drain the fluid and close the opening so it doesn’t return. It’s a straightforward procedure, but it makes a big difference in preventing future swelling or discomfort.

So that’s your JRob update for today! Our boy is making big strides, and we’re praying these last few ROP exams keep trending in the right direction. 💜👶🏼✨

Crochet octopuses are used in many NICUs for micro preemies because the curly tentacles feel like the umbilical cord. Fo...
11/19/2025

Crochet octopuses are used in many NICUs for micro preemies because the curly tentacles feel like the umbilical cord. For babies born way too early, that familiar feeling helps them feel safe and calm. The tentacles give their little hands something to grab onto, which can actually keep them from pulling out their tubes and lines. It helps them focus their energy on resting, breathing, and growing — exactly what JRob needed when he was fighting so hard in those early days.

I’m sharing a picture of JRob with his octopus from when he was first born and one of him now… just to show how far our tiny warrior has come. From a baby smaller than his octopus to the strong little man he is today 🥹💙

Forever grateful for the small things that made a big difference in his journey.

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